Kashmir Tigers, a shadow group of the Pakistan-backed and based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) has taken the responsibility for the Doda encounter in Jammu and Kashmir in which four Indian Army personnel, including a major, succumbed to their injuries on early Tuesday.
In a statement, the terror outfit said the clash and gunfire took place when the security forces launched a search operation for the “Mujahideen”.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Indian Army chief, who apprised him about the ground situation and ongoing operation in Doda.
Offering condolences to the families, Rajnath Singh on X wrote, “Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave and courageous Indian Army Soldiers in a counter-terrorist operation in Urrar Baggi, Doda (J&K). My heart goes out to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with the families of our soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers remain committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and restore peace and order in the region.”
Kashmir Tigers is the same group which had claimed responsibility for the attack on an Indian Army convoy in Kathua on July 9.
The encounter took place when the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and Special Operations Group of Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote Urarbagi in Desa forest belt, some 55 km from Doda town, late Monday evening.
After a brief exchange of fire, the terrorists tried to escape but were chased by the brave troops led by an officer, despite challenging terrain and thick foliage, leading to another firefight in the woods around 9pm, officials said.
Five soldiers were critically injured in the encounter and four of them, including the officer, later succumbed to injuries, the officials said.
Helicopters and drones have been pressed into service to track down the terrorists.
Union minister Jitendra Singh, who is an MP from Doda Lok Sabha constituency, said he was “deeply disturbed” by the reports of armed encounter in Dessa area. “Words fall short of condoling and condemning the martyrdom of our Bravehearts. Let all of us,” he said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Deeply distressed by the martydom of 4 brave Army soldiers, including an officer, in a terror encounter in Jammu & Kashmir’s Doda. Our heart goes out to the families of our bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of Bharat Mata.”
Earlier this month, gunmen killed five soldiers after ambushing an Army convoy, and two other soldiers and six terrorists were killed in separate clashes.
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