Image Source: Indian Express
On Wednesday, a deadly clash occurred in the Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in the deaths of an Army captain and a militant. Captain Deepak Singh, who was actively leading his team during the operation, was fatally wounded in the exchange of gunfire. The firefight also injured a civilian from Hirni village. Security forces at the scene recovered an M4 rifle and four bags, and noted blood stains suggesting that one of the militants may have been injured.
The operation was initiated following specific intelligence reports, leading to a joint search by the Indian Army and local police in the Akar forest near Patnitop. The Army’s Northern Command reported ongoing heavy firefights and confirmed that war-like stores were recovered during the engagement. Northern Army Commander Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar had been inspecting the counter-insurgency operations in the region earlier, emphasizing the need for coordination among the Army, police, and paramilitary forces.
In response to the escalating violence, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh convened a high-level meeting with National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, and other top officials to address the surge in terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting underscored the seriousness of the situation, especially given that Doda district has experienced multiple militant attacks since June 12, resulting in several casualties among security personnel. Security forces have intensified their search operations across Doda, Kathua, and Udhampur districts, aiming to locate militants who have infiltrated from across the border and are seeking to rekindle militancy in the region.
