Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: An Army officer, Captain Deepak Singh, was tragically killed in action during an intense encounter with a group of terrorists in the Assar area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district on Wednesday. The operation, which began as a cordon-and-search mission, also resulted in the elimination of one terrorist, while three others remain at large. A civilian was injured during the crossfire.
Captain Singh sustained gunshot wounds during the operation but continued to direct his men until he succumbed to his injuries. The Army has expressed its deepest condolences to Captain Singh’s family, lauding his bravery and dedication to the nation.
The encounter took place in a heavily forested area of the Shivgarh-Assar belt, where a joint security team had been tipped off about the terrorists’ hideout. The operation began last evening, leading to a brief exchange of fire, and resumed with greater intensity this morning.
During the encounter, security forces recovered a United States-made M4 assault rifle and three blood-soaked rucksacks filled with equipment and logistics, indicating the preparedness and determination of the terrorists.
The timing of this encounter has heightened concerns, as it occurred just a day before Independence Day celebrations. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, along with senior officials including Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, held a meeting to review the security situation in the region.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed her sorrow over the loss of Captain Singh, highlighting the ongoing cycle of violence in the region. “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 and 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,” she said.
The encounter is part of a recent surge in terror activities in the Jammu region, particularly in the southern reaches of the Pir Panjal range. This area, with its dense forests and steep mountains, has become a hotspot for terrorist activities, raising fears of a revival of militancy in a region that had long been relatively peaceful.
In response to the increased violence, the government is rolling out a new security matrix for Jammu and Kashmir, aimed at countering the rising threat to civilians and military personnel. This follows a series of attacks, including an encounter in Anantnag district on Sunday that claimed the lives of two soldiers and injured two civilians.
The heightened threat has led to the rationalization of military deployments in the area, with a focus on stopping cross-border infiltration and improving tactical efficiency. The recent escalation in violence underscores the need for continued vigilance and a strong security response in the region.
