Four army personnel, including an officer, lost their lives after sustaining injuries in a shootout with heavily armed terrorists in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials stated on Tuesday. Meanwhile, additional forces were deployed to locate and eliminate the militants.
This marks the third significant confrontation between security forces and terrorists in the woodlands of the Doda district within the last three weeks.
The most recent incident occurred a week following a terrorist ambush on an Army patrol in the isolated Machedi forest area in Kathua district, which resulted in the deaths of five soldiers and left an equal number injured.
Troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police conducted a combined search operation in Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest area, approximately 55 km from Doda town. The operation occurred late on Monday evening, resulting in an encounter, as per the officials.
Following a brief exchange of gunfire, the militants attempted to flee but were pursued by the troops, led by an officer, despite the difficult terrain and dense vegetation. A second confrontation occurred around 9 pm on Monday.
During the encounter, five soldiers sustained critical injuries. Regrettably, four of them, including the officer, later succumbed to their injuries, stated the officials.
The Army's 16 Corps, also known as White Knight Corps, in a post on 'X', said, "Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by Indian Army and JKP was in progress in the general area North of Doda. Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100 hrs in which heavy firefight ensued.
"Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts. Additional troops have been moved into the area. Operations are continuing," it said late on Monday night.
The Army and police called for additional forces on Monday evening and commenced a new search operation with increased troops on Tuesday morning.
According to officials, there were no recent communications with the suspected infiltrators on Tuesday. These individuals are thought to have crossed the border and concealed themselves in the forested region for the last few months.
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