Northern Command has said that it is committed to eliminating the scourge of militants in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue.
Also, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and paid homage to slain soldiers while Additional Director General of Police Jammu Anand Jain also visited the site in Dessa area of Doda where a search operation is underway.
Earlier, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid wreath and paid homage to Captain (Major) Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay, who have made supreme sacrifice during the anti-terror operation in Doda.
“I salute the brave warriors who displayed exemplary courage and made supreme sacrifice for the nation. The nation will never forget the sacrifice made by the gallant heroes. The entire nation stands firmly with the families of martyrs in this hour of grief,” the Lt Governor said.
Sharing details, PRO Army, Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said in light of the incidents in the recent past, proactive counter-terrorist operations continue to be prosecuted.
“Accordingly, a joint operation with J&K Police was launched in General Area Urarbaggi, 10 km North of Doda. At about 2040 hrs on 15 July 24, the search party was able to establish contact with the terrorists hiding in the area, which is a thickly forested and mountainous area with restricted visibility due to low clouds and rain,” he said.
“In the initial volley of fire, four Indian Army personnel were injured, who later succuzmbed to their injuries. Additional troops and equipment have been inducted to flush out the terrorists and use of drones and other technical resources is being ensured. Due to security considerations regarding the ongoing operations, further details cannot be shared,” he said.
The spokesperson further added that the Indian Army has been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with J&K Police to eliminate foreign terrorists who have infiltrated and are moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda, Kishtwar and Bhaderwah districts and areas and thereafter to Kashmir Valley. Similar operations are being conducted in Kathua area in a relentless manner.
Series of operations in the recent past have resulted in neutralisation of three terrorists in Gandoh on 26 June 24, besides successfully thwarting Chattar Gali terrorist attack on 11 June 24, he said, adding that analysis of large quantities of warlike stores recovered from the killed terrorists reveal the hand of inimical agencies from across the border.
Number of measures have been instituted to enhance synergy between various agencies. These include joint training with J&K Police and CAPF, he said, adding that a robust intelligence sharing mechanism between the IA, J&K Police and other Intelligence Agencies has been established.
“Clear guidelines have been enunciated towards ensuring no collateral damage and disruption in day-to-day life of the locals in the area. Close interaction with the local populace is also ensured for flow of intelligence inputs. Similar intelligence based and area domination operations are continuing in Kashmir region, North of Pir Panjal ranges. Line of Control and fence is intact and alert troops have recently neutralized three terrorists attempting to infiltrate along with large quantities of war-like stores in Kupwara region on 14 July 24,” he said.
Intelligence based operations have also been conducted to foil infiltration attempts in Lam, South of Pir Panjal Ranges on 10 July 24.
We deeply regret the loss of precious lives of our four brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. All formations of Northern Command are committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue, he said.
Surge in Doda
Militancy seems to be back in Chenab valley, especially in district Doda, as the fifth terror incident was witnessed in the area since June 11.
The Uran Baggi fire fight in Dessa area of district Doda has been the lethal one as four Army soldiers including a captain rank officer were killed.
The first fire fight began in Chattergala on June 11 in which four soldiers and a policeman were injured followed by a contact with another group of militants in Gundoh on June 12.
Thereafter, the security forces managed to trap three terrorists in Gundoh and eliminated them on June 26 and on July 9, an encounter broke out in Goli-Gadi area of Doda where after the heavy exchange of fire, militants managed to give forces a slip.
Now, the July 15 encounter in Uran Baggi in Dessa area is a fatal one and militants also managed to flee from the area. What is common about all these five encounters is that terrorists have been taking advantage of dense forests which have allowed them to remain at large.
The Chenab valley like Kashmir valley witnessed the gun culture in the 1990s and it almost vanished by 2007.
Now, again militants are trying to revive by resorting to attacks on security forces but as the Director General of Police (DGP) RR Swain has already said that is their desperate attempt but with the support of people, security forces will be able to eliminate them.(KNO)