Encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda District Leaves Two Soldiers Injured

PTK NEWS DESK

Jammu, July 18– Two soldiers sustained injuries during an early morning encounter with terrorists in the Jaddan Bata village of Kastigarh area, Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, officials reported.

The clash began around 2:00 am on Thursday when terrorists attacked a temporary security camp set up in a government school as part of ongoing search operations. Security forces retaliated, and the exchange of fire continued for over an hour.

Officials confirmed that the two soldiers suffered minor injuries and efforts are underway to neutralize the terrorists. The incident follows a large-scale search operation initiated in Desa and nearby forest areas after four army personnel, including a captain, were killed in a firefight earlier this week.

The operation, now in its fourth day, saw intermittent gunfire in Desa forests on the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday. Doda, which had been cleared of terrorism in 2005, has experienced a resurgence of attacks since mid-June.

Recent incidents include an attack on June 12 that injured six security personnel at Chattergala pass, followed by a firefight in Gandoh on June 13, wounding a policeman. On June 26, three terrorists were killed in Gandoh, and another encounter occurred in Ghadi Bhagwah forest on July 9.

This year, Jammu province has witnessed nearly a dozen terror attacks across six districts, resulting in 27 fatalities, including 11 security personnel, a village defense guard, five terrorists, and seven pilgrims returning from Shiv Khori temple on June 9.