J-K: Search operation intensifies in Doda, day after encounter

Doda: Security forces intensified their search operations in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, a day after an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in the district.

An encounter broke out between militants and security forces in the Sezan forest area of Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday evening, even as the Army, police and CRPF launched a search operation to track down militants involved in the attack on an Army convoy on July 8.

Five soldiers lost their lives while eight soldiers sustained injuries when a group of heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrolling party of the Army in Badnota area in Kathua on July 8. 

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Jammu and Kashmir Police, SP-SOG, Guru Ram Bhardwaj said that regular search operations are being conducted by security forces in Kathua and Samba districts following the terror attack to monitor the situation and ensure safety in the area.

Giving details about the necessity of search operations, Bhardwaj told ANI, "This is a routine search operation and aerial domination exercise... Whenever such incidents (terrorist attacks) happen, it becomes obvious for us to ensure the safety of the area that falls under our jurisdiction..."

Noting that the July 8 terror attack took place near the border area, the police official said, "Joint exercises are regular and since the area is close to the border, regular search operations and keeping an eye on the activities in the area becomes a necessity..."

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The attack on the Machedi-KindliMalhar road in a remote area, approximately 150 km from Kathua town is believed to be the latest in a series of terrorist incidents in the region, which have been attributed to attempts by Pakistan to disrupt the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir. The region, the site of the ambush is part of the old infiltration route along the international border, which the attackers appear to have reactivated.

The area is primarily monitored by the BSF and falls under the jurisdiction of the 9 Corps of the Army, under the Western Command. (ANI)

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