The ongoing operation against terrorists in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, took a turn on Monday night when the security forces encountered militants. During the encounter, an officer of the army and four soldiers made the ultimate sacrifice. Currently, operations against terrorists are in progress in Doda. The encounter began at dusk when the National Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Special Operation Group surrounded the terrorists in the jungles about 55 km from Doda. The terrorists attempted to flee and opened fire. However, the security forces' action persisted. During the firing, Captain Brijesh Thapa along with four other soldiers were injured. By early Tuesday morning, all five soldiers had succumbed to their injuries during treatment. Another soldier is in serious condition and has been admitted to the military hospital in Udhampur.
According to reports, the soldiers received intelligence around 7:45 pm on Monday that there was terrorist movement in the jungles of Dhari Gote Urarbagi. Under the leadership of Captain Brijesh Thapa, the soldiers pursued the terrorists through the challenging terrain and dense forests. By approximately 9 pm, the soldiers surrounded the area. When the terrorists realized they were cornered, they started firing. The initial exchange of fire lasted more than 20 minutes. After the encounter, Captain Brijesh Thapa and four other soldiers sustained injuries. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the darkness, the terrorists escaped towards the hilly terrain. The soldiers were rushed to the hospital, where their deaths were confirmed early on Tuesday. The martyred soldiers include Army Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D. Rajesh, Soldier Bijendra, Soldier Ajay, and one from the Jammu & Kashmir Police.
Source: aajtak
Possibility of 50-60 Terrorists Hiding in the Mountainous Region
Following the incident, additional army teams arrived at the site and intensified the search operation. However, no trace of the terrorists has been found so far. The responsibility for this attack has been claimed by a terrorist organization called Kashmir Tigers, an affiliate of Jaish-e-Mohammed that claimed responsibility for the attack on a convoy of soldiers in Kathua. Air surveillance is being maintained to search for the terrorists, and security personnel are deployed throughout the area. Carrying out anti-terrorism operations in this region is considered the most challenging and difficult. Persistent search operations have been conducted in the forests and hilly areas of Jammu for the past month. The majority of terrorist movement is reported in these mountainous areas, where there are reports of terrorist hideouts. The news is that 50 to 60 terrorists are hiding in the mountainous areas of three to four districts of Jammu.
DGP of Jammu and Kashmir Targets Political Parties
In the meantime, DGP of Jammu and Kashmir, RR Swain, targeted political parties for the recent increase in terrorist incidents. Specifically pointing to Mehbooba Mufti and Farooq Abdullah, DGP Swain spoke at an orientation program for students at IIM Jammu, suggesting that regional politics in Jammu and Kashmir have enabled Pakistan to infiltrate the region successfully. Addressing the challenge of terrorism in the valley, Swain added that displaying empathy towards the families of deceased terrorists has become the new normal. Political leaders visit their homes to express their sympathy.
DGP Swain accused the Jamaat network of being responsible for terrorism and stated that the network has attempted to cripple the government's campaigns to eliminate terrorism. SP rank officers were arrested and thrown into prisons with terrorists for crimes they never committed. The valley has been plagued by ransoms, strikes, and violent protests for weeks. He mentioned street protests in Jammu and Kashmir, hinting that a money mechanism was behind these demonstrations, inciting people to protest on the streets. DGP RR Swain, an IPS officer of the 1991 batch, has been serving as DGP of Jammu and Kashmir since November 1 last year. Swain is also known as the 'commando' of the valley.
Army Chief Mourns the Soldiers
The Additional Directorate General of the Army posted on 'X' and announced that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of the brave captains of the Indian Army, Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D. Rajesh, Soldier Bijendra, and Soldier Ajay. The soldiers sacrificed their lives while serving duty during an anti-terrorism operation to establish peace in Doda.
Source: aajtak
The remaining content of the article summarizes various security operations in Jammu and Kashmir, the challenges faced by the security forces, and the ongoing efforts to eliminate terrorism from the region. It also highlights recent cross-border infiltrations and counter-terrorism efforts, including narratives around recent engagements and encounters with terrorists. The article concludes with a note on successful security operations thwarting infiltration attempts and seizing weapons and ammunition in the region. An emotive tribute is paid to the dedication and sacrifices of the security forces in maintaining peace and order.
