Army-militant encounter again in Doda, martyred army officers including four security guards

Jammu and Kashmir is in turmoil again. On Monday night, the Indian Army started a gun battle with the militants in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir police were also present. Four Anant Jawans and one policeman were seriously injured in the fighting between the two sides. They were rescued from the spot and admitted to the hospital. The soldiers died there while undergoing treatment.

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, jointly with the Indian Army, conducted a search operation in the Desha Jungle area of Doda district on Monday evening. A police official said that this operation was carried out after receiving information from secret sources. There were reports of militants hiding in that area.

According to media reports, during the search operation, ammunition came towards the army. The soldiers also responded. The gunfight started between the two sides. The fight lasted for more than 20 minutes. At that time, four jawans were injured in the firing by the militants. One of them was a major army officer. All four died while undergoing treatment at the hospital. Besides, a policeman was also reported to have been shot.

The injured were rescued and sent to the hospital. They died on Tuesday morning. There were reports of four to five militants hiding in that forest area, said an army official. A search operation is being conducted for them on Tuesday.

Over the past few weeks, incidents of terrorist attacks have come to light in several places in Jammu and Kashmir. Because of that, ‘high alert’ has been issued in large areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Militant attacks on the army have taken place this month in several areas, including Kathua Kulgam. Sometimes the bullets were fired at army convoys, sometimes at army vehicles.

According to official statistics, 47 Jawans have died in Jammu in the last three years due to militant attacks. Although the number of attacks is less than in Kashmir Valley, the damage is much higher. The Modi government revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5, 2019. The erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. After that, along with Kashmir, continuous attacks by Pak militants started in Jammu as well.

A political uproar has erupted over repeated attacks on soldiers in Kashmir. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attacked the Centre, saying, “Just ’empty speeches and false promises’ should not be allowed.” Strict action must be taken against terror attacks.”