Security Forces Engage in Intense Firefight with Heavily Armed Terrorists in Doda District

An intense encounter in the Desa forests of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district led to the deaths of four army personnel, including a Major-rank officer, on Monday night. The clash, suspected to involve six to eight terrorists, including foreign operatives, began around 7:45 PM when the terrorists opened fire on a security forces party conducting a search operation between Uddan Bagi and Dheri Goth.

The exchange of gunfire lasted nearly half an hour before the terrorists ceased firing. Additional troops, including units from 26 RR and 9 RR, along with a special forces team, drones, and helicopters, have been deployed to the area to assist in the ongoing search operation.

At least five soldiers were injured during the initial chase of the fleeing terrorists. Despite being evacuated to the hospital, four of the injured soldiers succumbed to their injuries. The Nagrota-based White Knight Corps confirmed the casualties but did not release specific details, except for acknowledging the heavy firefight that took place around 9:00 PM.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office confirmed that he had spoken with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi for an update on the situation and the counter-terrorist operations underway in Doda.