Initial reports suggest injuries to brave hearts: Army

Srinagar, July 15: The Army on Monday said that its soldiers were injured in an encounter in Desa forests, north of Doda district headquarters in Chenab Valley.

Based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir was in progress in the general area north of Doda.

“Contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 9 pm in which heavy gunfight ensued. Initial reports suggest injuries to our brave hearts,” an Army spokesman posted on microblogging site X. He said that additional troops had been moved into the area. “The operation is continuing @adgpi @NorthernComd_IA @JmuKmrPolice,” the Army spokesman said.

Security forces and terrorists had a face-off in the hilly Desa forests of Doda following which a massive hunt is underway in the area. A senior J&K Police officer said that a joint search of J&K Police and 10 Rashtriya Rifles noticed a suspicious movement during a search operation in Desa forests.

“Terrorists were challenged and they opened fire at the joint parties,” he said. “The fire was returned, triggering an encounter.”

The senior Police officer said that the exchange of fire continued for some time and later stopped.

“A cordon has been tightened in the area and more reinforcements have arrived. The terrain is very difficult and the hunt is on,” he said.