Sources said that at least five soldiers sustained bullet injuries after they chased terrorists into the forests who fled after a brief encounter with them.
The White Knight Corps (16 Corps of Army) tweeted about the ongoing joint operation by the Indian Army and JKP, stating, “Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by Indian Army and JKP was in progress in the general area North of Doda.Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100h in which heavy firefight ensued. Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts. Additional troops have been moved into the area. Operations are continuing.”
Sources revealed that the gunfight commenced at 7.45pm when the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles and J&K Police launched search operations in the Kothi of Desa forest area, acting on reliable information about the presence of terrorists.
The terrorists attempted to flee but were pursued, resulting in another firefight at 9pm. Additional troops have been deployed, and operations are ongoing.
Lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha expressed anguish over the loss of lives of the four soldiers and extended his condolences to their bereaved families.
In a tweet, LG Sinha stated, “We will avenge death 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 & neutralise the terror ecosystem.”
Defence minister Rajnath Singh briefed
“Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh spoke to COAS General Upendra Dwivedi this morning. RM was apprised of the ground situation and the ongoing Counter Terrorist Op in Doda by the Army Chief,” Office of the defence ministry said in a post on X.
Singh expressed condolences to the family of deceased saying, “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,” he added.
This recent encounter in Doda marks the second such incident in the district within a week and the fifth since June 11. The region has witnessed a surge in terror activities, prompting the police and security forces to launch joint combing and search operations on a massive scale across various parts of the Jammu division.
The attack also comes just 10 days after another major assault on the army in the Jammu region, where five soldiers were killed and five others injured in Badnota-Billawer of Kathua district on July 8.