A police operation against terrorists conducted in the hills of the Shivgarh-Akar range of the Doda area in the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday (August 14, 2024) proved fatal to an Army Captain and a militant. A group of militants were surrounded and fired at on Tuesday evening, this led to passion that sparked an exchange of fire.
The police claimed that Captain Deepak Singh received bullet injuries when he was leading a patrol towards the hiding militants on Tuesday night and ‘continued to confront the militants in a gun battle twice in the night’. The militants were in a riverine and this limited the mobility of the security forces as they attempted to progress to the positions that the militants were occupying. The exchange of firings at the encounter site was quite brisk and the militants’ strength is likely to be two to three operatives.
An Army spokesman said one terrorist was captured alive in the operation that is still underway. “One AK 47 and M4 rifle were recovered at the encounter site,” the spokesman added; “intermittent exchange of fire continues”. The authorities also noted that three rucksacks were also found in the course of a search carried out in the area.
Joint operation
They are located in the south-central part of the Doda district and are almost adjacent to the famous tourist area, Patnitop. The Army on Tuesday began a new operation, ‘based on specific intelligence alerts’. The security forces neared the spot where the militants were hiding around 7:30 p.m.The Doda encounter was the fourth encounter in Jammu and Kashmir since August 10. Three people were murdered in Anantnag’s Kokernag earlier: two military personnel and one civilian were murdered in a battle with terrorism and the rebels’ escape.
In yet another incident, a soldier and two sled bearers were injured in a mine blast on LoC in Poonch’s Mandi sector. According to official reports, the explosion occurred near Tekri Post in Mandi around 2:30 p.m. Havildar Inderjeet Singh Shakeel Hussain a porter, and Neeraj Choudhary a porter were injured in the blast.
‘Highly unfortunate’
Civilian parties vice Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir separately voiced concern over the rising casualty of forces. National Conference vice-president Abdullah said: Another young army officer gave up his life for the nation this time in an encounter in Doda Unfortunately the situation in some parts of the Jammu region has been let to degenerate like this May the soul of Captain Deepak Singh rest in peace Any for his family and colleagues.
Mr. Mufti president of the Peoples Democratic Party said It’s heartbreaking to say that today again a precious life has been lost in Doda to violence, Captain Deepak Singh killed in an encounter, more bloodshed, more loss in Jammu and Kashmir despite the government machinery’s boasts of normalcy. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family. ”