In the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, four Indian Army soldiers, including a recently promoted officer, Major Brijesh Thappa, lost their lives in an intense encounter with terrorists.
The incident occurred on July 15 late night during a joint operation involving the Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
The gunfight erupted when the security forces launched a coordinated cordon and search operation in the Dhari Gote Urarbagi area of the Desa forest around 7:45 PM, based on credible intelligence inputs.
The terrorists, seeking to evade capture, engaged the troops in a brutal firefight that lasted over 20 minutes. Despite the challenging terrain and thick forest cover, the Indian Army personnel, led by Major Thappa, pressed on with their mission.
During the initial exchange of fire, four Army personnel, including the officer, and a police constable sustained critical injuries.
The injured were immediately evacuated to the hospital, but their conditions deteriorated, and later succumbed to their injuries.
The Indian Army quickly responded by deploying additional troops to the area. The operation continued into the night, culminating in a second intense clash around 9 PM as the terrorists attempted to flee.
The brave soldiers, undeterred by the rugged terrain and dense foliage, pursued the terrorists, resulting in another round of heavy gunfire.
The White Knights Corps, part of the Indian Army, confirmed the encounter and the ongoing operation in a social media post.
"Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JKP was in progress in the general area north of Doda. Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100, leading to a heavy firefight. Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts. Additional troops have been moved into the area, and operations are continuing," the Corps stated.
In response to the tragic incident, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with the Indian Army chief to get an update on the ground situation and the ongoing operation in Doda.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh, who represents the Doda constituency in Parliament, expressed his profound grief over the loss of the soldiers.
He called for unity in facing the menace of terrorism and preserving the peace and harmony for which Doda is known.
Adding to the sense of urgency, earlier in the day, Jammu and Kashmir Police unearthed old, rusted arms and ammunition from a terrorist hideout in the Reasi district.
The recovery included 30 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, an AK-47 rifle magazine, and a HE-36 hand grenade, highlighting the persistent threat in the region.
This incident is part of a troubling trend of increasing terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir. Since January this year, there has been a noticeable spike in such attacks, with at least six or seven significant incidents reported.
In early January, terrorists ambushed an Army convoy, resulting in the death of five soldiers. In another incident, two soldiers and six terrorists were killed during separate clashes. The violence has not been limited to military targets.
In June, nine pilgrims were killed, and dozens were wounded when terrorists opened fire on a bus carrying them from a shrine in the southern Reasi area. This attack was one of the deadliest in recent years and marked the first assault on Hindu pilgrims in Kashmir since 2017 when gunmen killed seven people in a similar ambush.
Timeline of Recent Attacks on Kashmir
June 3, 2024: A terrorist attack targeted a police convoy, resulting in the death of three police officers and injuries to five others. The attack took place in the Pulwama district and was claimed by a local militant group.
May 15, 2024: Terrorists launched an attack on an army patrol in the Shopian district, killing two soldiers and injuring three others. The attackers managed to escape, leading to a large-scale search operation by security forces.
May 28, 2024: Another attack occurred when militants opened fire on a group of civilians in Srinagar, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to several others. The attack raised concerns about the safety of residents and tourists in the region.
April 12, 2024: A grenade attack by militants in the Baramulla district caused injuries to six civilians. The explosion took place in a crowded marketplace, creating panic among the locals.
April 27, 2024: In a daring ambush, militants attacked an army convoy in the Anantnag district, leading to the deaths of four soldiers. The attackers fled the scene, prompting an extensive manhunt by the army.
March 9, 2024: Security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kupwara district, killing two militants. The incident highlighted the continuous threat of cross-border terrorism.
