The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has seen a significant escalation in terrorist activities over the past few months. A recent gunfight in Doda district, which resulted in the deaths of four army personnel, including an officer, is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region.

Recent Incident in Doda

On a Monday evening, troops from the Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operations Group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a joint cordon and search operation in the Dhari Gote Urarbagi area of the Desa forest belt, approximately 55 kilometers from Doda town. Acting on specific intelligence, the forces initiated the operation, which quickly escalated into a fierce gunfight around 9 PM.

Despite the challenging terrain and thick foliage, the security forces pursued the heavily armed terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, five soldiers were critically injured. Unfortunately, four of them, including an officer, later succumbed to their injuries.


Sequence of Recent Attacks

This incident in Doda was the third major encounter in the area within three weeks.

Here’s a timeline of major attacks and encounters in the region:

July 16, 2024: Four army soldiers, including an officer, were killed in action in Doda during a gunfight with terrorists.

July 8, 2024: Five army personnel were killed and five others injured in a terrorist ambush on an army patrol in the remote Machedi forest belt in Kathua district.

June 11-12, 2024: Six soldiers were injured in twin attacks during anti-terror operations in the Chattargalla pass and Gandoh areas of Doda.

June 9, 2024: Nine people were killed and 33 injured after a bus carrying pilgrims was attacked by terrorists and plunged into a gorge in Reasi district.

May 4, 2024: An Indian Air Force soldier was killed and five others injured when two vehicles, including one belonging to the IAF, came under heavy terrorist fire in Poonch district.

December 21, 2023: Four soldiers were killed in action during a terrorist encounter.

November 2023:Five soldiers, including two captains, were killed in action in separate terrorist encounters.

April-May 2023: Ten soldiers were martyred in twin terrorist attacks.

May 2022: Four people were killed after a pilgrim bus was attacked in Katra.

December 2021: Four soldiers were killed in action in separate incidents.

Response and Reinforcements

Following the recent Doda encounter, the Army’s 16 Corps —  the White Knight Corps, confirmed the operation on social media, stating that additional troops had been deployed to the area. The operation continued into the next day, with reinforcements mobilized to conduct a thorough search of the area. However, there were no further contacts with the terrorists, who are believed to have been hiding in the forest for several months.

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Broader Context of Rising Violence

The Jammu region, which had experienced relative peace between 2005 and 2021, has seen a resurgence in terror attacks since October 2021. This resurgence began in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri and has since spread to Reasi, Kathua, and Doda. According to security officials, this uptick in violence is seen as an attempt by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the Jammu region.
Since 2021, over 70 people, including 52 security personnel, have been killed in terror-related incidents in the Jammu region. Most of these casualties occurred in the districts of Rajouri and Poonch, where 54 terrorists have also been eliminated. Additional fatalities include three terrorists in Reasi and two in Kathua.

Recent Operations and Challenges

The anti-terror operations in Doda intensified following the incident at the Chattargalla pass, where five army personnel and a special police officer were injured on June 12. Another encounter in Gandoh the following day left a policeman injured. These operations reflect the ongoing efforts of security forces to track and neutralize terrorist threats despite challenging conditions.

The latest wave of violence also included an attack on a pilgrim bus that left nine people dead and 40 injured. These incidents underscore the persistent threat of terrorism in the region and the need for continued vigilance and robust counter-terrorism strategies.

Government Response

In light of the rising terror incidents, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a review meeting last month to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. He spoke with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval to receive a comprehensive overview of the security situation and the counter-terrorism operations being conducted by the armed forces. The Prime Minister also consulted with Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, who briefed him on the efforts undertaken by the local administration.

The government’s response includes deploying the full spectrum of the armed forces’ counter-terror capabilities to address the escalating threat. This approach aims to enhance the security measures in the region and ensure the safety of civilians and security personnel alike.