One terrorist killed in Doda gunfight after army captain succumbs to injuries

One Indian Army captain was killed in the line of duty during an encounter in the Akar Forest area of Doda district in the Jammu region in northern India. One unidentified terrorist was also killed in the same operation by security forces and arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession.

Security forces had recovered one M4 Rifle and one AK47 rifle from the encounter site.

The Indian Army lost a brave officer on Wednesday (August 14) during a gunfight in the Doda district of the Jammu region. Captain Deepak was leading the operation but was shot at by terrorists and later evacuated to the hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.

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The Indian Army said that all ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Capt. Deepak Singh, who succumbed to injuries. The Indian Army offered its deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.

Earlier, the Indian Army had said, ''One terrorist has been neutralised in the ongoing operation. One AK 47 has been recovered in addition to the M4 rifle. An intermittent exchange of firing continues as the operations are ongoing.''

The operation started between security forces and terrorists on Tuesday night (August 13)in the forest area. Sources in security forces say that three to four terrorists are still holed up at the operation site.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a steep rise in terror attacks in the last few months. With the Jammu and Kashmir Police accepting that around 70-80 foreign terrorists are active in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, most of them are believed to be in the higher reaches of North Kashmir and Jammu region.

The dense forest range and steep mountains have become a haven for infiltrated terrorists. Meanwhile, security forces are coming up with new strategies to make sure that there are no successful infiltrations at the LoC and International Border.

Defence analysts say these terrorists are highly trained and are from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and hence havebattle experience in Afghanistanand Syria. Sources added that former Pakistan Army soldiers may also be among them. The presence of Pathan fighters from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region, who have earlier fought alongside the Taliban, cannot be ruled out.

Just three years ago, Kashmir valley was the epicenter of terrorist attacks, but now the terrorist's strategy seems to have changed, and they have shifted focus to Jammu region.

According to recent data, over 120 terror incidents occurred in the last three years in the Union Territory, out of which 53 per cent were witnessed in the hills of Jammu. Over 55 security personnel have lost their lives in the Union territory since June 2021.

The terrorists are continuously targeting security forces in Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Reasi, Doda, and Udhampur districts.

One of the most important aspects is that these terrorists are not using traceable technology such as phones, etc. WION had recently done a story on how these terrorists are using ultraset and radio frequency messenger that cannot be intercepted for communication and does not involve any use of SIM cards. These terrorists also very rarely visit villages and use Over Ground Workers (OGWs).

Meanwhile, Kashmir Valley's security grid is on ‘high alert’ for the smooth conduct of Independence Day celebrations.

Patrolling and frisking operations have been intensified across Kashmir Valley ahead of Independence Day, and the security grid is on the highest level of alert to ensure peaceful conduct of all official functions on August 15.

Bakshi Stadium, the main venue of the Independence Day function, has already been fortified by the security agencies, especially police and special security guards (SSGs). The peripheral areas of the stadium have also been secured by forces with the deployment of sharp shooters at high rise buildings.