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Follow UsFour army personnel, including an officer, who sustained critical injuries during an armed confrontation with heavily-armed terrorists, passed away in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday, 16 July, according to official sources.
The clash occurred when troops from Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of J&K Police initiated a joint operation to cordon and search Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest area, approximately 55 km from Doda town, late Monday evening, officials stated.
Following a brief exchange of gunfire, the terrorists attempted to flee but were pursued by courageous troops led by an officer, navigating challenging terrain and dense foliage. This pursuit led to another intense firefight in the woods around 9 pm, they added.
Five soldiers sustained critical injuries during the encounter, and four of them, including the officer, later succumbed to their injuries, officials reported.
They also mentioned that four army personnel, including an officer, and one police personnel were injured in the initial exchange of gunfire, which lasted over 20 minutes.
The injured were transported to hospital where their condition was described as "critical," according to officials.
Additional troops were deployed to the area, and the operation was ongoing at the time of the latest reports, the army stated.
The operation was initiated based on intelligence indicating the presence of terrorists, officials confirmed.
A police spokesperson verified the exchange of gunfire between security forces and terrorists in the Desa forest area but noted that "further details are awaited."
"In response to specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JKP was underway in the general area north of Doda.
"Contact with terrorists was established tonight around 2100 hours, resulting in a heavy firefight. Initial reports indicate injuries to our brave personnel.