On July 15, 2024, a tragic encounter took place in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of four Indian Army personnel, including an officer. That is the J&K Doda Encounter.
The Incident
The encounter began around 7:45 PM When the Indian Army’s Rasthtriya Rifles unit and the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint search operation in the Kothi area of the Desa forest, based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the region.
As the security forces approached the area, they made contact with the terrorists, leading to a heavy exchange of fire. The terrorists attempted to flee but were pursued by the troops, resulting in another gunfight around 9 PM.
During the intense firefight, five soldiers sustained critical injuries. Unfortunately, four of them including Captain Brijesh Thapak, Naik D. Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay, later succumbed to their injuries.
Reactions and Aftermath
The news of the incident sparked outrage and grief across the nation. Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Majon Sinha expressed his anguish over the loss of lives and vowed to avenge the deaths of the soldiers. He called upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism and provide accurate information to aid the ongoing anti-terror operations.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences to the families of the deceased soldiers, stating that the nation stands firmly with them. He assured that the counter-terrorism operations are ongoing, and the security forces remain committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism and restoring peace in the region.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from various political leaders, including Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who described the act as “cowardly” and expressed his deepest distress over the martyrdom of the brave soldiers.
In the aftermath of the encounter, additional troops were deployed to strengthen the cordon and continue the search operations. The Indian Army also deployed helicopters to assist in the ongoing operations in the Doda forests.
Surge in Terrorist Activities in Doda
The Doda encounter marks the second incident in the district within a week and the fifth since June 11. The region has witnessed a surge in terrorist activities, promoting the police and security forces to launch joint combing and search operations on a massive scale across various parts of the Jammu division.
Just 10 days before this incident, another major assault on the army took place in the Jammu region, where five soldiers were killed and five others injured in Badnota-Bilawer of Kathua district on July 8.
Efforts to Thwart Terrorist Designs
The Jammu and Kashmir government, under the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Majon Sinha, has vowed to intensify the anti-terror operations and neutralize the “terror ecosystem” in the region. The government has called upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism and provide accurate information to aid the security forces.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also condemned the attack and stated that the government will give an answer to “Pakistan-sponsored terrorism” and maintain peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Army, on the other hand, has expressed its deepest condolences to the bereaved families and assured that the counter-terrorism operations will continue until the courage of terrorism is eliminated from the region.
In the Doda encounter, that the joint operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the area.
According to the reports:
- The operation was launched based on “specific intelligence inputs” about the presence of terrorists in the Desa forest area of Doda.
- The intelligence inputs were provided by the security agencies and further corroborated by the J&K Police.
- The intelligence inputs suggested that a “mixed group of foreign terrorists” were likely to infiltrate through the Keran Sector to carry out “sabotage and subversive activities” and potentially disrupt the Amarnath Yatra.
- Acting on these credible intelligence inputs, the security forces, including the Army, BSF, and JKP, laid multiple ambushes along the anticipated routes of infiltration and maintained surveillance of the entire area,
- The precise intelligence inputs allowed the security forces to anticipate the terrorists’ movements and engage them in an intense firefight, leading to the neutralization of three foreign terrorists in the Keran Sector.
Conclusion
The Doda encounter is a tragic reminder of the ongoing battle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The sacrifice of the brave soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty will not be forgotten, and the nation stands united in its resolve to thwart the evil designs of the terrorists and their associates.
The government’s commitment to intensifying the anti-terror operations and the people’s cooperation in providing accurate information will be crucial in restoring peace and order in the region. The security forces remain steadfast in their determination to eliminate the threat of terrorism and ensure the safety and security of the citizens of Jammu and Kashmir.