Srinagar, July 16: Once considered terror-free, the Jammu region has witnessed the maximum number of terror attacks this year, claiming the lives of 14 soldiers.
The latest terror incident, in which the army men lost their lives, took place on Monday evening when security forces launched a cordon and search operation at Dhari Gote in the Desa forest belt of Doda district in the Jammu region after receiving specific inputs about the presence of terrorists. The terrorists tried to escape after a brief exchange of fire lasting over 15 minutes but were chased by the troops.
The encounter resulted in serious injuries to five soldiers. Four of them, including a Major, succumbed to their injuries later.
To track down the terrorists, drones and helicopters were deployed. This is the fifth encounter in Doda in the past five weeks.
During 2024, in the Jammu region, at least 14 security forces personnel lost their lives in terror attacks, including an IAF personnel, 12 army men, and one J&K police officer. Similarly, 10 pilgrims and one local also lost their lives in terror attacks. At least five terrorists, all foreigners, have also been eliminated.
The Defence Minister spoke with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who apprised him of the ground situation and ongoing counter-terrorist operations in Doda.
Retired Lieutenant General Deependra Singh Hooda, the former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Northern Command, says there was significant pressure on terrorists by security forces in the Kashmir Valley. “The terrorists were not able to succeed in their plans. Security forces maintained good pressure and were eliminating terrorists upon their entry into the valley. This has frustrated the terrorists and their handlers in Pakistan, leading them to shift their activities from Kashmir to Jammu,” said the former Northern Command area chief.
He explained that terrorists chose certain districts in the Jammu region due to their challenging terrain. “Districts like Doda, Rajouri, and Poonch have difficult terrain. It allows terrorists to carry out attacks and then hide in the hills, forests, and caves, which was not the case in Kashmir,” he said. Hooda is considered one of the top defense experts on the Jammu and Kashmir situation.
