4 Soldiers Martyred After Terrorists Open Fire In Doda, JeM-Backed Group Claims Responsibilty

Doda: In a shocking turn of events, at least one officer and three jawans have been martyred while fighting Pakistani terrorists after an attempted ambush in the Doda sector on Tuesday night, according to defence sources. The operation has resumed at 6:30 am on Tuesday. Additional reinforcement are currently being sent to incident site in Desa after the ambush was followed by a brief exchange of fire last night. Security has been beefed up along the Jammu-Doda Highway. A group of terrorists opened fire at the security forces while the troop was carrying out a search operation in the Uradbagi area of Desa Village on Monday night. An encounter started late at night in the Dessa area of Doda in which at least five soldiers of the Indian Army troops were injured.

The Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)-linked 'Kashmir Tigers' have claimed responsibility for the attack in an official statement. They had also claimed responsibility for the Kathua terror attack on July.

The soldiers, who were martyred, are Captain Brijesh Thapa from Darjeeling, Naik Dokkari Rajesh from Andhra's Srikakulam, Sepoy Ajay Kumar Singh and Sepoy Bijendra from Rajasthan's Jhunjhunu.

According to the J&K police officials, contact with terrorists was established on Monday at about 9 pm after which, heavy gunfight ensued.

Following the encounter, the White Knight Corps tweeted, “Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by #IndianArmy and JKP was in progress in General area North of Doda. Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100h in which heavy firefight ensued. Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts. Additional troops have been moved into the area. Operations are continuing.”

The fresh gun battle in Doda is the second such incident in the district in a week. Earlier on July 9, an encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the district, during which the terrorists managed to flee the site.

The battle between the security forces and the terrorists has surged in the Union Territory, which was witnessed in the past few weeks.

Earlier this month, the Pakistani terrorists carried out an attack in Kathua's Badnota where Army vehicles were ambushed leading to the deaths of five soldiers and injuring five others.