News agency PTI reported, quoting officials, that four Indian Army personnel, including an officer, who were gravely injured in a battle with militants on Monday night, passed away in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir.
Around 7.45 p.m., the Rashtriya Rifles and the J&K Police Special Operations Group conducted a combined cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest area. This led to the beginning of the encounter.
Four Indian Army personnel were killed in the gunfight, including recently promoted Major Brijesh Thappa of 10 RR, sources said. There was no official confirmation of deaths, and the army withheld further facts regarding casualties.
The initial firefight with the terrorists, which lasted more than 20 minutes, injured four Army personnel—including the officer—and one police officer, according to the officials.
After being airlifted to the hospital, the injured were listed as having “critical” conditions. Later, the officials reported, they passed away from their wounds.
When the last reports came in, the Indian Army reported that more troops had been sent into the region and that the operation was still ongoing.
The terrorists attempted to flee after a brief exchange of gunfire, but the courageous soldiers under the command of an officer pursued them despite the difficult terrain and dense forest. This resulted in another shootout in the woods at approximately nine o’clock at night, the officials claimed.
“A joint operation between the Indian Army and JKP was underway in the general area north of Doda, based on specific intelligence inputs.” A fierce firefight broke out after a terrorist contact was made tonight at around 2100 hours, according to a post made on X by the White Knights Corps on Monday night.
“According to preliminary information, our gallant heroes may have been hurt. More soldiers have been dispatched to the region. “Activities are still underway,” stated White Knights Corps.
news organisation According to ANI, the Indian Army Chief spoke with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and was briefed about the situation on the ground and the ongoing operation in Doda.
Jitendra Singh, a Doda MP and union minister, expressed his dismay at the news of an armed encounter in the Dessa district, calling them “deeply disturbed.” It is insufficient to express sympathy or criticise our brave heroes’ martyrdom with words. Let us all,” he uttered.
He said, “Join together to defeat the enemy’s evil schemes and, maintain peace and harmony for which Doda has always been known.”
Jammu and Kashmir Police found ammo and antiquated weapons earlier in the day in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir, which is home to terrorist hideouts.
According to the officials, the recovered materials consist of thirty AK-47 bullets, one AK-47 rifle magazine, and one HE-36 hand grenade.
“The police party recovered old, rusted arms and ammunition from Dalantop area of Shikari during the search and cordon operation,” the release added.
Militants who ambushed an Army convoy earlier this month killed five soldiers. Six terrorists and two other soldiers were also killed in separate encounters.
Terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying pilgrims in June, killing nine and wounding numerous others as it left a shrine in the southern Jammu and Kashmir region of Reasi.
It was the first attack on Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir since 2017, when gunmen killed seven people in another bus ambush. It was also one of the bloodiest attacks in recent memory.
