Army's Northern Command Vows to Eradicate Terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir

The Udhampur-based Northern Command of the Army is dedicated to eliminating terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The Army has been conducting joint operations with the Jammu and Kashmir Police to combat terrorists infiltrating from across the border. Recent encounters have resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and ongoing operations aim to neutralize further threats.

The Udhampur-based northern command is unwavering in its commitment to eradicate terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the Army declared on Tuesday as it paid homage to four soldiers who perished in a gunbattle with heavily-armed militants in Doda district. The Army has been executing coordinated operations with Jammu and Kashmir Police to target infiltrating foreign terrorists in Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar districts, eventually extending to the Kashmir region.

An Army captain and three soldiers were gravely wounded in an encounter with terrorists in Dhari Gote Urarbagi in the Desa forest belt of Doda on Monday night, later succumbing to their injuries. The incident follows a terrorist ambush in the Machedi forest belt of Kathua district that caused five soldier fatalities last week.

According to an official Army statement, ''All formations of northern command are committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir for which the relentless operations will continue.'' Several measures are in place to boost inter-agency cooperation, such as joint training with J-K Police and Central Armed Police Forces and robust intelligence-sharing mechanisms.

Guidelines are established to ensure minimal collateral damage and minimal disruption to everyday life for locals. Close interaction with the local populace is maintained for intelligence flow. In light of recent incidents, the Army emphasizes that proactive counter-terrorist operations are being aggressively pursued. An operation with J-K Police was launched on Monday night, targeting a forested and mountainous area with low visibility in Urarbagi, leading to the contact and ultimate loss of four Army personnel.

Additional troops and technical resources, including drones, have been deployed. The Army expressed profound regret over the loss of four soldiers. Subsequent operations are ongoing in Kathua and have achieved significant outcomes, including the neutralization of three terrorists in Gandoh on June 26 and the thwarting of the Chattargala attack on June 11. Analyzes of recovered warlike stores indicate cross-border inimical activities.

Similar intelligence-driven operations are continuing north of the Pir Panjal ranges in the Kashmir region. Alert troops recently neutralized three terrorists in Kupwara during an infiltration attempt on July 14, and such operations have thwarted other infiltration attempts in Lam (Rajouri) on July 10.