Fighting valiantly, a young captain of the Indian Army sacrificed his life, on the eve of the 78th Independence Day, while leading an ongoing anti-terrorist operation aimed at flushing out Pakistani terrorists hiding in the forested belt of Assar in Doda district of Jammu on Wednesday.

The security forces also neutralised a Pakistani terrorist while the hunt was going on to eliminate two to three other terrorists hiding in the area. It is suspected the terrorists may have fled the area leaving behind one M4 rifle, three bags, and a blood trail. 

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday morning convened a meeting in New Delhi on the rising terror-related incidents in Jammu and Kashmir ahead of the 78th Independence Day, it was learnt.

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Director General of military operations-Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma and heads of the security-related agencies attended the meeting, sources said.

Tension prevailed in the area as residents woke up to the deafening sounds of heavy gunfire. In view of the the Independence Day events on Thursday, the security arrangements were further stepped up to prevent any other incident of terrorist violence across the region. The security forces have already been kept in a State of high alert for the past few days to maintain tight vigil along the International border and the areas closer to the line of control. 

Army’s White Knight Corps Wednesday posted on X stating, “One terrorist has been neutralised in the ongoing operation. One AK 47 has been recovered in addition to the M4 rifle.” “Intermittent exchange of firing continues as the operations are ongoing,” said the Army. 

Meanwhile, the army officer who laid down his life has been identified as Captain Deepak Singh.

He hailed from Dehradun, Uttarakhand.

On Thursday when the Nation comes together to celebrate Independence Day his family is expected to receive his mortal remains, wrapped in the tricolor.

Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army also paid tributes. We salute the supreme sacrifice of the Braveheart Capt Deepak Singh, who laid down his life in the line of duty in J&K, We express deepest condolences to the bereaved family, the post said.

Over 20 army personnel, including two army captains, and two para commandos have sacrificed their lives in the recent surge of incidents of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist violence since January 1 this year. At least 15 civilians including seven pilgrims were also killed during the same period.

According to official sources, since last week the security forces had launched a hot chase based on specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists in the upper reaches of Udhampur.

The first contact was established with the group of terrorists after the initial exchange of fire late Tuesday evening.  Due to pitch-dark conditions, the operation was halted. On Wednesday, as the search parties started combing the area, a fierce gunfight erupted. The captain of the Indian army who was leading from the front during the ongoing operations received bullet injuries in the heavy exchange of firing. The army officer was safely evacuated to the base and shifted to the hospital but he later succumbed to his fatal injuries. One of the terrorists was also neutralized in the gunfight. 

 To contain the situation, the Union government has already deployed additional troops across the Jammu region to flush out the foreign terrorists from their safe hideouts carved inside the forested areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur. Doda, Kishtwar and Kathua.

Two battalions of the Assam Rifles have also been inducted in the Machhedi area of Kathua and other upper reaches. Three thousand additional army troops and 2000 BSF men have been deployed across the region to plug the gaps and launch anti-terrorist operations across different sectors.

Uttrakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a tweet, also offered his condolences. “I pay my deepest respects to Captain Deepak Singh, a valiant son of Uttarakhand, who made the ultimate sacrifice during the encounter with terrorists in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir. His sacrifice in the service of Mother India will forever inspire patriotism among the youth. I pray to God to grant his noble soul a place at His feet and to provide strength to the grieving family to endure this sorrow.”

Former J&K Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti also expressed her condolences:

“Another young army officer lays down his life in the line of duty, this time in an encounter in Doda. It is highly unfortunate that the situation in some parts of the Jammu region has been allowed to deteriorate like this. May Captain Deepak Singh’s soul rest in peace. I send my heartfelt condolences to his family & colleagues.”posted Omar Abdullah on the micro-blogging site.

Mehbooba Mufti also posted on X, “No words will suffice to express the tragedy at Doda today where Captain Deepak Singh was killed during an encounter. The endless cycle of violence & mayhem in J&K continues to devour the lives of innocents despite tall claims of normalcy by the administration. My deepest condolences to his family.”

Chronology of Terror attacks since January 1, 2024

August 10: Two Army personnel were 'killed in Action' and one civilian died during an encounter in the Kokernag area of Anantnag.

July 27: In BAT operation, One soldier of the Indian army made a supreme sacrifice while four others received injuries along the line of control in the Kamakari sector of Macchal in the North Kashmir district of Kupwara.

July 24: A terrorist was neutralized  and an Indian army jawan sacrificed his life in the North Kashmir district of Kupwara on Wednesday

July 23:  An Army trooper laid down his life while thwarting an infiltration attempt of terrorists along the Line of Control (LOC) in Battal area of Krishna Ghati belt, located in Mehdhar tehsil

July 22: A heavily armed group of terrorists targeted an army post and the house of the Shaurya Chakra awardee in the Gunda village of Khawas tehsil in the frontier Rajouri district in the wee hours of Monday

Jul 18: Two terrorists were killed as security forces foiled a fresh infiltration bid along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

July 16:  A Captain of the Indian army along with three other soldiers was martyred during a fierce gunfight with a group of Pakistani terrorists in the Dessa forest area.

July 14  Alert troops of the Indian army Sunday foiled a major infiltration bid by neutralizing three heavily armed terrorists along the line of control in the Keran sector of the North Kashmir district of Kupwara.

* July 7, 2024: An Army Sentry was injured as terrorists targeted an Army post at Manjakote in Rajouri district.

* June 26, 2024: 3 Pakistani terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit eliminated by security forces at Gandoh, Doda.

* June 12, 2024: Cop injured in encounter at Gandoh, Doda.

* June 11, 2024: 6 security personnel wounded as terrorists target Army and police joint post at Chattergalla, Doda.

* June 11 and 12, 2024: Two terrorists and CRPF jawan killed and a civilian injured in a gun battle at Hiranagar in Kathua district.

* June 9, 2024: Nine civilians, seven of them pilgrims killed and 41 others injured in a terror attack at Teryath, Reasi.

* May 4, 2024: An IAF soldier was martyred and six others were injured when terrorists ambushed their vehicle at Surankote in Poonch district.

* April 28, 2024: A Village Defence Guard (VDG) was martyred in a terror attack at Basantgarh in Udhampur district. Terrorists escaped.

* April 22, 2024: A Social Welfare Department (SWD) official was killed by the terrorists. His brother, a Territorial Army jawan, who was the target, survived, at Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri district.