Terrorists Behind Doda Attack Believed To Be Same Group That Ambushed Security Forces Last Week

The terrorists responsible for the martyrdom of four soldiers in Jammu's Doda district on Tuesday (16 July) are believed to be the same group that fleed after ambushing security forces in the Sezan forests on 9 July, as per a report by The Indian Express.

According to the same report, security forces had been searching for these terrorists for the past week.

The encounter with the terrorists took place around 9 PM on Monday, leading to a heavy firefight in which four soldiers were critically injured. They were evacuated to a hospital but succumbed to their injuries.

The deceased have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.

The area has been encircled, and fresh reinforcements from the Army, including para commandos, and the police’s Special Operation Group have been deployed.

It has been noted that search parties are struggling with the dense forests and difficult mountainous terrain, where pine trees grow to heights of 200-250 feet with dense undergrowth. Visibility is so poor that it is difficult to see someone hiding beyond 3-4 feet.

Security agencies believe this is not the only terrorist group operating in the Doda district.

There are reportedly more groups in the higher reaches of the district, which borders Kashmir Valley, Ramban, Udhampur, Kathua, and Himachal Pradesh.

The Army has been conducting joint and coordinated operations with the J&K police to eliminate the terrorists, who are believed to have infiltrated from across the border and are moving through the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar, and Bhaderwah.