In a tragic turn of events, the Indian Army has lost another brave soul in the ongoing struggle against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. Captain Deepak Singh, serving with the Army’s Counter Insurgency Force, was martyred during a fierce encounter with terrorists in the Assar forest area of Doda district on Wednesday. The clash also resulted in the elimination of a terrorist, reportedly of Pakistani origin.
This latest encounter marks the fourth significant engagement in recent days within the Udhampuri-Doda-Kishtwar region. The series of confrontations began on Tuesday when a group of at least four terrorists initiated hostilities with the security forces. Despite initial exchanges of gunfire, the terrorists managed to evade capture, leading to a protracted search operation that continued into Wednesday.
During the intense firefight on Wednesday morning, Captain Singh sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to a military hospital. Sadly, he succumbed to his wounds despite the best efforts of medical personnel. Captain Singh, a native of Dehradun in Uttarakhand, is remembered as a dedicated officer whose sacrifice has deeply affected the military community.
This incident further compounds the Army’s losses in the region, with ten soldiers having been martyred since July. Earlier this summer, five soldiers were killed in an ambush on July 8 in Machedi, Kathua district, and four more, including another Captain, lost their lives on July 15 in the Desa forest area of Doda.
Following Wednesday’s encounter, Army and J&K Police forces discovered an M4 carbine and four backpacks at the scene. Blood stains at the location indicated that one of the terrorists had been injured. Subsequently, another encounter took place where the injured terrorist was confirmed dead. An AK-47 was recovered from the site of this engagement.
In response to the loss of Captain Singh, the Jammu-based White Knight Corps issued a heartfelt statement: “All ranks salute the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Capt Deepak Singh who succumbed to his injuries. White Knight Corps offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.”
The operation to root out remaining terrorists in the Assar forest continues. The area, a crucial junction close to the borders of Udhampur and Ramban districts, remains under heavy scrutiny as forces track down the remaining insurgents. Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, GOC-in-C of Army’s Northern Command, visited the forward locations in Doda and Kishtwar earlier this week to assess the situation and bolster ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.
As the conflict rages on, the commitment of the Indian Army to combat terrorism remains unwavering, even in the face of heartbreaking losses. The sacrifices of soldiers like Captain Deepak Singh underscore the enduring resolve of the security forces in their mission to safeguard the nation.
