On July 17, Doda (Jammu and Kashmir) [India] (ANI): According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, there was a brief gunfight between militants and security personnel late on Tuesday night in the Bhatta area of the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir. According to the police, the search is still ongoing. The clash between terrorists and security personnel in the Desa Forest area on Monday night resulted in the deaths of our soldiers.
#Doda (J&K): In a significant development, Village Defense Guards (VDG) have successfully secured key positions in the Dessa area after an intense hour-long gun battle with #terrorists. Despite being armed with old weapons, the VDG fought valiantly alongside the #Army@adgpi pic.twitter.com/V1HfqphAn2
— DD NEWS JAMMU | डीडी न्यूज़ जम्मू (@ddnews_jammu) July 17, 2024
Indian Army Extends Condolences
On Tuesday, the Indian Army sent its condolences to the families of the troops who died in the encounter, stating that the Army will always support the bereaved families at this difficult time. The names of the men who were killed in action are Sepoy Ajay, Sepoy Bijendra, Naik D Rajesh, and Captain Brijesh Thapa.
“All ranks of the Indian Army, including General Upendra Dwivedi COAS, offer their sincere condolences to the brave men and women who gave their lives in the line of duty to maintain peace in the region by conducting a counter-terrorist operation in Doda: Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay. In this time of sorrow, the Indian Army remains steadfast in its support of the bereaved families “ADG PI-Indian Army posted on X.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s Statement
Concurrently, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that counterterrorism activities are in progress and offered his condolences to the families of the soldiers killed in the Doda encounter.
We are deeply pained by the brave and valiant Indian Army men who lost their lives in Urrar Baggi, Doda (J&K) during a counterterrorism operation. My condolences to the families who have lost a loved one. The families of our warriors who gave their life while doing their duties have our unwavering support. The counterterrorism operations are in progress, and our warriors are steadfast in their will to eradicate the evil of terrorism and bring peace and stability back to the area,” Rajnath Singh wrote on X.
Assam Chief Minister’s Response
The chief minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, declared that the government would respond to “terrorism sponsored by Pakistan.” “To terrorism that is funded by Pakistan, the government will respond. Our responsibility is to keep Jammu and Kashmir peaceful,” the chief minister of Assam stated. Based on certain information inputs, the Indian Army and JK Police conducted a coordinated operation in Doda on Monday night. The White Knight Corps reports that a fierce gunfight broke out after contact with terrorists was made tonight at around nine o’clock.
In the firefight, four Army personnel—including an officer—were killed. In the meantime, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi briefed Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on the Doda encounter during a Tuesday conversation.