Doda, July 18: Two army troopers were injured after a gunfight broke out in wee hours on Thursday between militants and security forces in Kastigarh area of Doda district.
Officials said that suspicious movement was observed by the army near LHS Zada. During searches, contact was established with militants which triggered a gunfight.
During initial firefight, two army soldiers were injured and were immediately moved to a nearby hospital, he said.
Till this report was being filed, operation in the area was still underway. More details follow.
The recent attacks that have rocked the Jammu region are suspected to have been perpetrated by a “fresh batch of militants ” who infiltrated in the past six months and comprise fighters from Pakistan’s Punjab as well as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regions, said sources. Most of them are suspected to be Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) recruits.
The groups are highly trained, motivated and those from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region may also have battle experience, including in Afghanistan, said sources in the security establishment. Former Pakistan Army soldiers may also be among them, they said.
The new batch is suspected to have been divided into four-five lean groups, which are operating with considerable stealth and are highly trained,” said a security establishment officer. (KDC)
