Fierce Gunfight in Doda: Four Army Personnel Martyred

In a fierce encounter with heavily armed terrorists from the banned group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Doda district, four Indian Army personnel, including a captain, were killed. The clash, the third major terror incident in Jammu region in three weeks, has led to widespread condemnation and intensified security operations in the area.

Four Army personnel, including a captain, were killed in a fierce gunfight with heavily armed terrorists of Pakistan-based banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Doda district, in the third major terror incident in Jammu region in three weeks.

The attack on Monday night came a week after terrorists ambushed an Army patrol vehicle in Kathua district, killing five soldiers and injuring as many, sparking widespread condemnation and protests in Jammu and other regions.

Captain Brijesh Thapa from Darjeeling, Naik Dokkari Rajesh from Andhra Pradesh, and Sepoys Bijendra and Ajay Kumar Singh from Rajasthan suffered fatal injuries in the gunfight in the Desa forest area, where troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and Jammu and Kashmir Police had launched a cordon-and-search operation.

Following the encounter, security forces, including the Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police, swiftly launched an extensive operation in the Desa forest belt to flush out terrorists. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he is ''deeply saddened'' by the loss of lives and asserted that the security forces are committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism in the region.

Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi also briefed Singh on the anti-terror operation in Doda district. In an official statement, the Army said the gunfight erupted late Monday evening in the Desa forest area, where troops had launched a cordon-and-search operation. The Army said all formations of northern command are committed to eliminating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.

The opposition parties, meanwhile, have attacked the Centre. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said such horrific incidents are extremely worrying and attributed the situation to ''BJP's wrong policies''. The Kashmir Tigers, a JeM shadow group, has claimed responsibility for the latest attack.

Despite challenging terrain and weather conditions, efforts are underway to track down and neutralise the militants who have links with the banned JeM terror group, officials said. Additional troops and equipment have been inducted, and the use of drones and other technical resources is being ensured.

As the nation mourned the loss of these brave soldiers, tributes were paid in 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 said, ''We will avenge the death of our soldiers & thwart the evil designs of terrorists and their associates. I call upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism & provide us accurate information so that we can intensify anti-terror operations & neutralise the terror ecosystem''. The sacrifices made by Captain Brijesh Thapa and his comrades serve as a poignant reminder of the valour and dedication displayed by the Indian Army in combating terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies.)