Four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed during an encounter with terrorists in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The operation, which began on Monday evening, is still ongoing, defence officials said.
The joint operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police following an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Dessa area of the district. Additional troops were called in to strengthen the cordon around the area.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers and urged the people to unite in the fight against terrorism. He also said that the deaths of the soldiers will be avenged and the “evil designs” of terrorists and their associates will be thwarted.
The Indian Army’s official page on Twitter expressed condolences, saying, “General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and all ranks of the Indian Army convey their deepest condolences to the Bravehearts, Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay, who laid down their lives in the line of duty while undertaking a counter-terrorist operation in Doda to ensure peace in the region. The Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
Meanwhile, on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered old and rusted arms and ammunition from a terrorist hideout in the Reasi district. The seized items included 30 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one AK-47 rifle magazine, and one HE-36 hand grenade.
“During the search and cordon operation, the police party recovered old and rusted arms and ammunition from the Dalantop area of Shikari,” a press release stated.
The soldiers killed in action have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay.
The Indian Army expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi said that the Army stands firm with them in this hour of grief.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh voiced his sorrow over the loss.
“Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave and courageous Indian Army soldiers in a counter-terrorism 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 sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The counter-terrorism operations are underway, and our soldiers remain committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism and restoring peace and order in the region,” Rajnath Singh posted on X.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha called upon citizens to unite against terrorism and provide information to aid anti-terror operations. Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the government would respond to “Pakistan-sponsored terrorism.”
“The government will give an answer to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. It is our duty to maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir,” Assam CM said.
The incident has drawn reactions from various political figures, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in a post on X said, “Deeply distressed by the martyrdom of 4 brave Army soldiers, including an officer, in a terror encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda. Our hearts go out to the families of our bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of Bharat Mata. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and we wish him a speedy and complete recovery. No words of strong and unequivocal condemnation will suffice for these acts of violence being perpetrated by cowardly terrorists.”
As the search for terrorists continues, the Indian Army has deployed helicopters to assist in operations in the Doda forests. The encounter, which began based on specific intelligence inputs, involved a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police.
(With ANI input)