Doda Attack A Work Of Jaish Group In Jammu? Exclusive From Intelligence Sources On Terror Network In Region

The terror attack in Doda, in which four army personnel, including a captain, died, could be the work of a group affiliated to Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) active in Jammu, according to top intelligence sources.

“The Army was aware of the new infiltration on July 9 and had deployed forces to nab these groups. In Doda, there is a possibility that Jaish groups have infiltrated recently,” said sources.

According to sources, two groups are active in Jammu, one in Rajouri Poonch and a new group which has entered from Doda Reasi area where killings are happening at a fast pace. “These two groups are not related to each other and have been sent separately. The total strength in Rajouri Poonch is 10-12 and 20-25 are in Doda Reasi area. While the groups in Doda Reasi are from JeM, those in the old Rajouri Poonch are from PAFF/ Lashkar-e-Taiba,” sources said, adding the terrain is giving them an advantage.

Those killed in the Doda encounter have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay. This was the third major encounter between security forces and terrorists in the forests of Doda district in the past three weeks.

“Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave and courageous Indian Army Soldiers in a counter terrorist operation in Urrar Baggi, Doda (J&K),” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on X. “My heart goes out to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with the families of our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty,” he said.

The latest incident comes a week after a terrorist ambush on an Army patrol in the remote Machedi forest belt in Kathua district claimed the lives of five soldiers and injured as many.

‘ISI UNDER PRESSURE TO DELIVER’

CNN-News18 had earlier reported how Jammu has become the new terror battleground, with almost 50 foreign terrorists. “Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is under pressure to deliver because of drying number of attacks in Srinagar and no OGW network available. ISI also knows that it will take time for Indian forces to deploy soldiers in Jammu,” sources had told News18.

Sources in the government say this is a new challenge which we have to fight with keeping new deployment in mind. “The Army, CRPF and Police will have to take charge and we are hopeful of neutralising these groups very fast,” they said.

SPIKE IN TERROR ATTACKS

The Jammu region, which remained relatively peaceful between 2005 and 2021 after security forces wiped out decades-long terrorism, witnessed a spike in terror attacks over the past month. It included an attack on a pilgrim bus that left nine persons dead and 40 injured.

Terror activities resurfaced in October 2021 from the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri. Some of the deadly attacks that spread to Reasi, Kathua and Doda were attributed by the security establishment as an attempt by Pakistani handlers to revive terrorism in the Jammu region. Over 70 people, including 52 security personnel — mostly from the Army — have been killed in terror-related incidents in the Jammu region since 2021. Most of the casualties were from Rajouri and Poonch districts where 54 terrorists were also eliminated, the officials said.

Three terrorists were also killed in Reasi district and two others in Kathua district, they added.

With PTI Inputs