Army Officer Killed in Action in Jammu and Kashmir Doda Encounter

An Army captain was tragically killed in a fierce gunfight with unidentified terrorists in the Assar area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Wednesday. The encounter erupted in a dense forest during a coordinated search operation launched by security forces to track down the terrorists hiding in the region.

The security operation, conducted jointly by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP), has led to the recovery of an M4 rifle, clothing, and three rucksacks from the terrorist hideout. The area has been cordoned off, and a search operation continues as the security forces close in on the remaining militants.

According to the Defence Ministry, the fallen officer was from the 48 Rashtriya Rifles, and the operation, named “Op Assar,” is ongoing. There are indications that some of the terrorists may have been injured, as bloodstains were discovered at the scene.

The terrorists are believed to have infiltrated the Shivgarh-Assar belt from a forested area near Patnitop in the neighboring Udhampur district. Contact with the terrorists was initially established around 6 pm on Tuesday, leading to intermittent exchanges of fire throughout the night.

As dawn broke, a renewed gunfight ensued around 7:30 am on Wednesday. The White Knight Corps of the Indian Army confirmed the ongoing operation through a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

High Alert in the Region

The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been tense, with a significant increase in terrorist activities reported in the region this year. The ongoing operation in Doda is a testament to the relentless efforts of the Indian Army and JKP to curb the terrorist threat in the area.

Election Commission to Review Security Situation

In light of the recent developments, the Election Commission is set to meet with Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir, especially with the upcoming Assembly elections. The deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in the region will also be discussed to ensure a peaceful election process.

The sacrifice of the brave Army officer underscores the ongoing challenges in maintaining security and order in Jammu and Kashmir. The nation mourns his loss while standing resolute in the face of terrorism.

Aakhir Tak Editor-in-Chief

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