Two days after a deadly encounter that claimed the lives of four Indian soldiers, including an officer, violence continues in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district. Early Thursday morning, July 18, 2024, two more soldiers were reportedly injured in a gunfight with militants in Jaddan Bata village.
Ongoing Operations
The latest clash occurred around 2 AM when militants opened fire on security forces conducting search operations. This marks the third such incident in Doda within just three days, highlighting the escalating tensions in the region.
Doda Police has intensified its Crackdown on the OGW's network in the District, arresting several OGW's and supporters in response to recent attacks in June and July. @JmuKmrPolice @ZPHQJammu @adgp_igp— DISTRICT POLICE DODA (@dpododa) July 17, 2024
The security forces have been carrying out an extensive search operation in the Desa area and surrounding forests since Monday's deadly attack. This operation has now entered its fourth day.
Kupwara district reported another encounter.
In the Keran Sector of the Kupwara region, a confrontation has broken out between militants and security troops along the Line of Control (LoC). Authorities claimed there is an ongoing anti-militancy operation in the region.
Two terrorists were slain in the Keran Sector of Kupwara, along the Line of Control, after security personnel "successfully prevented an infiltration attempt," according to an Army official.
The spokesman further stated that the anti-infiltration efforts are still underway in the region.
An encounter broke out between infiltrated terrorists and security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Keran Sector of Kupwara district. One terrorist has been killed so far, more details awaited. pic.twitter.com/9JD6vTiuUE— DD NEWS JAMMU | เคกเฅเคกเฅ เคจเฅเคฏเฅเคเคผ เคเคฎเฅเคฎเฅ (@ddnews_jammu) July 18, 2024
Rising Violence in Jammu Region
The recent incidents are part of a concerning trend of increased militant activity in the Jammu region. Over the past two months, 24 people, including 10 security personnel, have lost their lives in various attacks.
Doda district, which had been declared terrorism-free since 2005, has seen a resurgence of militant activities. Since June, there have been multiple clashes between militants and security forces in the area.
For more on this, read; Four Indian Soldiers Killed In Intense Battle With Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir's Doda District
High-Level Response
The situation has prompted attention at the highest levels of government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired an urgent meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security on Thursday afternoon. The meeting, attended by key ministers including Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, addressed the recent surge in terror attacks across Jammu and Kashmir.
Earlier this week, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh personally spoke with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi to assess the ground situation and get updates on the ongoing operations in Doda.
Congress Protests and Detentions in Jammu
The Congress party staged a significant protest in Jammu on July 18, 2024. Led by senior party leaders, including AICC in-charge J&K affairs Bharat Singh Solanki and Pradesh Congress Committee president Vikar Rasool Wani, hundreds of party workers attempted to march to the Raj Bhawan.
The protest aimed to highlight the BJP-led central government's alleged failure to curb terrorism and its decision to grant extensive powers to the Lieutenant Governor ahead of upcoming Assembly polls. However, police intervened, detaining several Congress leaders and preventing the march from reaching its destination.
Congress leaders criticised the BJP's governance, pointing to the spread of terrorism in previously peaceful areas of Jammu, and questioned the effectiveness of the 2019 changes in the region's status. They called for an end to "black laws" granting extensive powers to the Lieutenant Governor and emphasised the need for statehood to be restored before elections.
Wider Impact
Since the beginning of 2024, militant attacks across six districts of Jammu have resulted in 27 deaths, including security personnel, civilians, and five militants. In a separate incident, security forces also thwarted an infiltration attempt in Kupwara district, killing two militants near the border.
The rise in violence is deeply concerning for a region that had experienced relative peace for many years. Security forces continue their efforts to control the situation and prevent further attacks, while the nation mourns the loss of its brave soldiers.
Inputs from Multiple Agencies
Media from multiple sources
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