Army Captain, terrorist killed in Doda encounter

Jammu, Aug 14: Security forces on Wednesday killed a terrorist in the Assar forests of the Doda district and a Captain of the Army succumbed to his injuries while a VDC member was injured.

The encounter in Assar forests of Doda, near Patnitop tourist resort, broke out on Tuesday evening.

A joint team of the Army and Police had laid a cordon in the forests of Assar on Tuesday evening after receiving information of suspected terror movement in the area.

During CASO, contact got established and a gunfight ensued between the security forces and terrorists that continued throughout the night as well as for the second day on Wednesday.

Officials said that on Wednesday morning, amid an exchange of fire, security forces recovered an M4 carbine and three bags lying in a nallah where terrorists were hiding.

“There were some blood trails also. It is assumed that one or more terrorists might be injured with one among them dropping his weapon and fleeing,” they said.

Officials said that during further searches, a fierce exchange of gunfire took place in a gorge surrounded by forests in which the security forces killed a terrorist and an Army officer of the rank of Captain and a VDC member were injured.

They were both shifted to a local hospital.

The injured VDC member was later shifted to Government Medical College (GMC) Doda where he is hospitalised and is responding to the treatment.

However, the Army officer succumbed to his injuries while being shifted for specialised treatment.

The Army identified the officer as Captain Deepak Singh and offered deepest condolences to the bereaved family.

“One officer got injured while leading the search party who made the supreme sacrifice,” the Army said in its statement.

The Army said that a terrorist was killed in the ongoing encounter and an AK47 was recovered in addition to an already recovered M4 rifle.

“Intermittent exchange of firing is going on,” the Army said.

J&K Police said that based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Army and Police was launched in Assar forests near Patnitop.

“Contact got established during the operation which is ongoing and a terrorist was killed,” Police said.

Meanwhile, heavy reinforcement of Police, Army, special forces, and CAPF was made in the area to strengthen the cordon and intensify the operation as security forces suspected the presence of two to three terrorists in the area with one or more in injured conditions.