Four Army personnel, including a captain, were killed in a fierce gunfight with heavily armed terrorists from the Pakistan-based banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Doda district, marking the third major terror incident in the Jammu region in the last three weeks.
The attack occurred on Monday night, just a week after terrorists ambushed an Army patrol vehicle in Kathua district, resulting in five soldiers' deaths and injuring several others. This latest incident has ignited widespread condemnation and protests across Jammu and other regions.
Captain Brijesh Thapa from Darjeeling, Naik Dokkari Rajesh from Andhra Pradesh, and Sepoys Bijendra and Ajay Kumar Singh from Rajasthan sustained fatal injuries during the gunfight in the Desa forest area. Troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched a cordon-and-search operation there.
In response to the encounter, security forces, including Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police, initiated an extensive operation in the Desa forest belt to flush out the terrorists.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed his deep sadness over the loss of lives and affirmed that security forces remain committed to eradicating terrorism in the region. Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi also briefed Singh on the anti-terror operation in Doda district.
The Army stated it has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with Jammu and Kashmir Police to eliminate foreign terrorists infiltrating from across the border, operating in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, and moving towards Kashmir.
"All formations of Northern Command are dedicated to eradicating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, and relentless operations will continue," the Army declared.
Opposition parties criticized the central government, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressing deep concern over the successive horrific incidents. He emphasized that Army soldiers and their families are suffering due to what he termed as the BJP's flawed policies.
The Kashmir Tigers, a JeM shadow group, claimed responsibility for the latest attack. Despite challenging terrain and weather conditions, efforts are ongoing to track down and neutralize the militants linked to the banned Jaish-e-Mohammad group, officials said.
The Army, supported by para-commandos and aerial surveillance from drones and helicopters, is intensifying its search operations to eliminate the terrorists suspected of infiltrating from across the border and hiding in the forest area.
In an official statement, the Army reported that the gunfight erupted late Monday evening in the Desa forest area, where troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched a cordon-and-search operation. Despite difficult terrain and low visibility, security forces engaged the hiding terrorists.
"Initially, four Army personnel were injured in the exchange of fire and later succumbed to their injuries. Additional troops and equipment have been deployed to flush out the terrorists, with drones and other technical resources being utilized," the Army said, withholding further details due to security considerations regarding the ongoing operations.
The nation mourned the loss of these brave soldiers, with tributes paid during a solemn wreath-laying ceremony attended by dignitaries, including J-K Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
In a post on X, Sinha vowed, "We will avenge the death of our soldiers and thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their associates. I urge people to unite in the fight against terrorism and provide accurate information to intensify anti-terror operations and dismantle the terror ecosystem."
The sacrifices of Captain Brijesh Thapa and his comrades serve as a poignant reminder of the Indian Army's valour and dedication in combating terrorism. Captain Thapa's father, Colonel Bhuwanesh K Thapa (retd), recalled his son's lifelong aspiration to join the Indian Army, inspired by his father's service.
"I feel proud of my son. There is always risk in Army operations," the retired officer said.
In Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu district, the native villages of soldiers Bijendra and Ajay Singh grieved the loss of their brave sons.
Recent months have seen a resurgence of terror activities in Jammu, highlighting the persistent threat posed by extremist elements aiming to destabilize the region's peace. Since 2021, the once relatively peaceful Jammu region has witnessed a surge in terrorist activities, resulting in over 70 deaths, including 52 security personnel, mostly from the Army.
Security forces remain vigilant in safeguarding civilians and defending the nation's sovereignty against such acts of violence, officials stated.
Political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, including the National Conference and the PDP, condemned the Doda incident. PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called for the sacking of J-K Director General of Police (DGP) R R Swain, expressing concerns over the rising casualties among young Army officers in the region. She demanded accountability for the "loss of 50 soldiers in the past 32 months" in terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that "heads should have rolled by now" and the DGP should have been dismissed.
In Ranchi, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma declared that India will deliver a befitting response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, underscoring the country's commitment to ensuring regional peace.
Congress workers held anti-Pakistan protests in Jammu, criticizing the BJP-led government for the "failure of the security grid" in Jammu and Kashmir to address the escalating terrorist activities. Led by Jammu and Kashmir Congress working president Raman Bhalla, hundreds of workers marched, raising anti-Pakistan slogans and demanding immediate comprehensive operations to clear Jammu's hills of terrorist elements.
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