• Contact established twice with terrorists during past 24 hours: Police
• Both injured shifted to Udhampur Hospital: Army
• Massive searches underway in dense forests
Srinagar, July 18: Two Army personnel were injured during a brief gunfight that broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Kastigarh area of Doda district on Thursday.
As per officials, gunfight, which lasted over an hour, erupted around 2 am in the village of Jaddan Bata, located in the Kastigarh area. Terrorists opened fire on a temporary security camp set up in a Zadan High School in Kastigarh for ongoing search operations, they said.
During the initial firefight, terrorists lobbed a grenade, resulting in injuries to two soldiers. After that both Armymen were injured and were immediately admitted to Government Hospital in Doda.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ramban-Doda Range, ShridharPatil visited the encounter site at Kastigarh in Doda on Thursday and said that the operation is in progress.
Talking to media persons, he said that a coordinated search operation is currently being conducted with all security forces present in Doda.
“From the past 24 hours, there has been twice contact with the hiding terrorists in densely forest areas. As search operation is under progress and he cannot disclose too much information at this time,” he said.
Meanwhile PRO Defence Jammu Divison, Lt Col SuneelBartwal said that there was swift action by Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) from Air force Station Udhampur. They saved a critically injured soldier’s life in Doda (J&K).
“Despite challenging weather, the evacuation was successful, ensuring timely medical care at Command Hospital,Udhampur. Kudos to the team for their dedication & bravery,” he said.
In Doda, a massive search operation is underway following the killing of four army personnel, including a captain in Desa forests during the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. Security forces are determined to eliminate the terrorists and restore peace in the area, they added.
Heavy rains and dense fog added to the challenge as the security forces continued their manhunt for the fleeing terrorists – who are believed to be the same group which killed four army personnel.
A massive search operation was launched in Desa and adjoining forest areas following the killing of the army personnel.
The operation entered its fourth day on Thursday and also witnessed a brief exchange of fire at two places in Desa forests during the past 2 days.
On Thursday, heavy rains and dense fog made it harder for security forces to hunt down the fleeing terrorists, thought to be the same group that killed four army personnel.
On Tuesday, four Army soldiers of Rashtriya Rifles including a Major-rank officer succumbed to their injuries after an encounter with terrorists in Desa forests of Doda district.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police has also intensified its crackdown on the OGW’s network and several terror supporters have been arrested in response to recent attacks in the region.
Doda district, which was cleared of terrorism in 2005, has seen a rise in attacks since June 12.
On that day, six security personnel were injured in a terror attack at Chattergala Pass, followed by a firefight in Gandoh the next day, injuring a policeman.
Since the beginning of this year, nearly a dozen terror attacks in six districts of Jammu province have resulted in 27 deaths, including 11 security personnel, a village defense guard, and five terrorists.
