Rajnath Singh Briefed on Doda Encounter Amid Rising Jammu Tensions

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was briefed by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on the ongoing operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda. This follows a deadly encounter where four soldiers were killed. Additional troops have been deployed as operations continue.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke with Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi on Tuesday to discuss the ground situation and ongoing anti-terror operations in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir.

This meeting comes after four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed during an encounter with terrorists in the Doda district. Defence officials confirmed that operations are ongoing.

The Defence Ministry's office made an announcement on X, stating, 'Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh spoke to COAS General Upendra Dwivedi this morning. RM was apprised of the ground situation and the ongoing Counter Terrorist Op in Doda by the Army Chief.'

Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed his concern over the encounter in the Dessa area of Doda, part of his Lok Sabha constituency. 'Deeply disturbed by the reports of armed encounter in Dessa area of district #Doda in my Lok Sabha constituency. Words fall short of condoling and condemning the martyrdom of our Bravehearts,' Singh posted on X.

Officials revealed that a joint operation by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir police was launched on Monday evening after an exchange of fire with terrorists in Dessa. Additional troops were called in to tighten the cordon.

On Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Police also recovered old-rusted arms and ammunition from a terrorist hideout in Reasi district. The items included 30 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one AK-47 magazine, and one HE-36 hand grenade.

This recent spike in terror activity follows a series of terror-related incidents in the Jammu region, including an attack on an army convoy in Kathua and other encounters in Doda and Udhampur.

(With inputs from agencies.)