More troops rushed, operation on
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 15: In yet another encounter in Doda, five security personnel, including an Army officer, were critically injured in a forest area of Dessa tonight.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
The encounter started after the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Dessa forest area around 7.45 pm.
As per the officials, four Army personnel, including an officer, and a police personnel were injured in the exchange of fire which initially lasted for over 20 minutes.
The injured were evacuated to hospital and their condition was stated to be “critical”, the officials said.
The Army said that additional troops were moved into the area and the operation was continuing when reports last came in.
The operation was launched on an input about the presence of terrorists, the officials said.
A police spokesperson confirmed the exchange of fire between the security forces and terrorists in the Dessa forest area but said that “further details are awaited.”
“Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by Indian Army and JKP was in progress in the general area North of Doda. Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 2100 hours in which heavy firefight ensued. Initial reports suggest injuries to our bravehearts,” a post on X by Nagrota-based 16 Corps late tonight said.
“Additional troops have been moved into the area. Operations are continuing,” post said.
In previous four encounters in Doda in past over one month, three dreaded Pakistani terrorists were eliminated while seven security personnel were injured..
Meanwhile, Security forces today conducted search operations in Jammu and Reasi districts following information about some suspicious movements.
A joint operation by police and CRPF personnel was carried out at Lower Gharota, Thathi and adjoining areas in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu early today after a villager reported suspicious movement of three persons in combat attire.
However, nothing suspicious was found during the searches that lasted for more than two hours, the officials said.
Few days back, security forces conducted searches in Kanachak and Akhnoor sectors after a poultry farm employee claimed that he was approached by three suspicious persons for water.
At the Koti forest area in Doda district, the police, assisted by the Army, launched a cordon and search operation around 9.30 am following information about the presence of terrorists.
The combing operation is underway but no contact has been established with terrorists so far, the officials said.
They said security forces also conducted searches at Rumbal Nallah Kothian, Pouni, Dera Babbar, Kundle and Kanjli area of Reasi district this morning.
Security forces also continued search operations in Badnota, Machedi, Lohai Malhar and surrounding areas of Billawar in Kathua district where five Army soldiers were martyred and an equal number were injured in a terror attack few days back. A number of suspects are being questioned by the cops in connection with the attack.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
