Officer Among 4 Soldiers Killed In Action In Encounter With Terrorists In J&K

By NKTV Digital On Jul 16, 2024

Four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed during an encounter with terrorists in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. The operation, which began on Monday evening, is still ongoing, defence officials said.

The joint operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police following an exchange of fire with terrorists in the Dessa area of the district. Additional troops were called in to strengthen the cordon around the area.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers and urged the people to unite in the fight against terrorism. He also said that the deaths of the soldiers will be avenged and the “evil designs” of terrorists and their associates will be thwarted.

The Indian Army’s official page on Twitter expressed condolences, saying, “General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and all ranks of the Indian Army convey their deepest condolences to the Bravehearts, Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay, who laid down their lives in the line of duty while undertaking a counter-terrorist operation in Doda to ensure peace in the region. The Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”

Meanwhile, on Monday, Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered old and rusted arms and ammunition from a terrorist hideout in the Reasi district. The seized items included 30 rounds of AK-47 ammunition, one AK-47 rifle magazine, and one HE-36 hand grenade.

“During the search and cordon operation, the police party recovered old and rusted arms and ammunition from the Dalantop area of Shikari,” a press release stated.

The soldiers killed in action have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay.

This incident comes amid heightened security concerns in the Jammu region, following recent terror attacks, including an assault on an army convoy in Kathua and encounters in Doda and Udhampur.