Jammu, July 16 (UNI) Four Army personnel, including a Captain, were killed during joint and coordinated operations with police to eliminate foreign terrorists in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army said on Tuesday.
Jammu-based Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) Suneel Bartwal said that at 8.40 pm on Monday a search party detected terrorists hiding in Urarbaggi, 10 km north of Doda area, which is a thickly forested and mountainous area with restricted visibility due to low clouds and rain. “In the initial volley of fire, four Army personnel were injured, who later succumbed to their injuries. Additional troops and equipment have been inducted to flush out the terrorists and use of drones and other technical resources is being ensured,” he said. The deceased soldiers are: Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay.
“The Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with J&K Police to eliminate foreign terrorists who have infiltrated and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah districts and thereafter to Kashmir Valley,” said the PRO.
He said similar operations are being conducted in Kathua area in a relentless manner, adding, “A series of operations in the recent past have resulted in neutralization of three terrorists in Gandoh on June 26, besides successfully thwarting Chattar Gali terrorist attack on June 11.”
He added, “Analysis of large quantity of war-like stores recovered from the dead terrorists reveal the hand of inimical agencies from across the border.”
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh posted on X, “Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave and courageous Indian Army soldiers in a counter-terrorist operation in Urrar Baggi, Doda (J&K).
“My heart goes out to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with the families of our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers remain committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and restore peace and order in the region,” the Defence Minister posted.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also expressed anguish over the death of Army personnel in the line of duty.
The L-G posted on X, “I am deeply anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our Army soldiers and JKP personnel in Doda district. Tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifices protecting our nation. My deepest condolences to members of the bereaved families.
“We will avenge the deaths of our soldiers & thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their associates. I call upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism & provide us accurate information so that we can intensify anti-terror operations & neutralize the terror ecosystem,” he posted.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh posted on X, “Deeply disturbed by the reports of armed encounters in Desa area of district #Doda in my Lok Sabha constituency.”
“Words fall short of condoling and condemning the martyrdom of our Bravehearts. Let all of us join together to defeat the nefarious designs of the enemy and maintain peace and harmony for which Doda has always been known for,” he posted.
The ADGPI posted on X, “#GeneralUpendraDwivedi #COAS and all ranks of #IndianArmy convey their deepest condolences to the #Bravehearts Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra & Sepoy Ajay, who laid down their lives in the line of duty, while undertaking a counter terrorist operation in #Doda in order to ensure peace in the region. #IndianArmy stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.’
The latest encounter in Doda is part of a recent spurt in terror activities in the Jammu region. On July 9, a gunfight broke out between the security forces and terrorists in Doda district.
On July 8, five Army jawans were killed and as many suffered injuries in a gunfight triggered after terrorists attacked the truck in village Badnote of Lohai block in Machhedi area of Kathua district.
On June 11-12, Doda district was rocked by twin terror attacks.
Six security personnel were injured when terrorists attacked a joint check post at Chattar Gali on June 11 and a police officer was injured in a gunfight with terrorists at Kota top in the Gandoh area on June 12.
On June 26, three terrorists were killed during an encounter with the security forces in Doda district.
