Security forces have mobilised a large number of troops to pin down the foreign terrorists on the prowl in the Dessa forest area of Doda. Four Army personnel, including one Captain, were martyred in the fierce gunfight in the same zone late Monday night following which these searches were launched across the hilly areas. It is learnt the terrorists had fled the area after targeting the Army personnel.
According to local reports, while the joint teams were combing the area a brief exchange of fire took place on two occasions within a span of three to four hours late Tuesday night.
The alert Village Defence Guards (VDGs) reportedly opened fire on observing suspicious movement outside their village, while two explosive shells were recovered from the Gandoh area.
The exchange of fire was first reported at Kalaan Bhata at 10.45 pm on Tuesday and then near Panchan Bhata at 2 am during the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in the Desa forest area.
Despite the challenging terrain and weather conditions, efforts are underway to track down and neutralise the terrorists who have links with the banned Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).
Meanwhile, two explosive shells were recovered during a separate search operation in the Sinoo forest area of Gandoh in Doda district.
Sinoo Forest witnessed a day-long encounter on June 26, resulting in the killing of three foreign terrorists and the recovery of a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including a US-made M4 carbine.
In a statement on Tuesday, the Army said it had been conducting a series of joint and coordinated operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to eliminate foreign terrorists.
The had infiltrated from across the border and were moving in the upper reaches of Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts in the Jammu region and thereafter to Kashmir.
“All formations of the Northern Command are committed to eliminating the scourge of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue,” the Army had said.
In Jammu, the Congress party Wednesday announced that it will launch an agitation against the alleged failure of the BJP-led government to check growing terror activities and its decision to give unbridled powers to the Lt Governor ahead of the assembly polls in the Union Territory.
Addressing media persons in Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir Congress chief Vikar Rasool Wani said, “The agitation will start at the state level and be taken to the district and block levels in the coming days.”
“We will also press for the restoration of statehood before the Supreme Court’s September 30 deadline for the holding of Assembly elections,” Wani told reporters here.
Criticising the BJP for “destroying the historic state” over the last 10 years of its rule at the Centre, Wani said Jammu was cleared of militancy during the Congress-led UPA government but the BJP has completely failed to provide security to the people who are gripped by fear due to the revival of terrorism.
“When they (BJP) were out of power before 2014, they were asking Congress that you have an army, paramilitary and police and why you are not able to wipe out terrorism. Today, I am asking the same question as terrorism is back in Jammu region,” he said.
While campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls that concluded recently, the BJP made tall claims about ending terrorism to mislead the people and get their votes, he said, adding that “nearly a dozen terror attacks have taken place in the Jammu region this year.” Congress wants terrorism to end so that the people of Jammu and Kashmir can live in peace, he added.
Another senior Congress leader Dr. Karan Singh said it is a matter of grave concern that the terrorists have now started to focus on Jammu. “There is no doubt that it is a matter of grave concern. For years, terrorists executed their actions in the Kashmir valley. With great difficulty and courage, they were brought under control…It seems that now they have started focusing on Jammu,” he said.
Singh further suggested the reattachment of the Jammu Division of the Army with the Northern Command located in Nagrota from the Western Command to make one single unit.
“We have lost several of our jawans and people in the last 6 months… This is a very serious matter…This means that the administration doesn’t have full control over the situation.
Senior AICC leader and in-charge of Jammu and Kashmir Bharat Singh Solanki said,”11 terror attacks in the past 78 days and the killing of over 50 soldiers since October 2021 across the Jammu region have created a fear psychosis among the people”.
“We are concerned about the prevailing security situation. The prime minister, home minister and defence minister have no words to express grief over the loss of lives including that of civilians and pilgrims,” he said.
He said all the claims of wiping out terrorism by the BJP after coming to power in 2014 have fallen flat as it has completely failed to tackle the security situation.
