Srinagar/Doda: Another exchange of fire between militants and forces was reported on Wednesday morning, with sources stating that several groups of foreign militants have taken cover in the higher reaches of the Chenab Valley's Doda district, which borders the Kashmir Valley on one side, Ramban and Udhampur districts on another, Kathua on the third, and Himachal on the fourth side.
"Forces are struggling to navigate the dense forests of treacherous mountain terrain, where pine trees grow to heights of 200-250 feet with dense undergrowth.”
Sources indicate that these forests are so dense that it is difficult to spot someone hiding beyond 3-4 feet.
The dense forests span a vast area from Udhampur's Basantgarh to Paddar in Kishtwar district and Jawahar tunnel in Ramban district.
Sources add that militants are leveraging this terrain to their advantage.
Security agencies also suspect the presence of multiple militant groups in Doda district, with reports suggesting higher concentrations in areas bordering the Kashmir Valley, Ramban, Udhampur, Kathua, and Himachal districts.
It is estimated that a group of 20-25 foreign militants have divided into smaller units for launching attacks.
According to official sources, these militants are well-trained with sophisticated weapons and possess detailed knowledge of the terrain, exploiting the thick foliage.
Notably, over the past 32 months, more than 50 military personnel have been killed in militant attacks, with most bouts concentrated in Jammu, Pir Panchal, and Chenab Valley.
Recently, four Indian military personnel, including an officer, were killed in an operation in Doda district's Chenab Valley on Monday.
Timeline of Major Attacks:
July 15: Four military personnel killed in Desa Doda. July 8: Five personnel killed and five injured in a militant ambush on a military convoy in the Machedi forest area of Billawar, Kathua district.
June 26: Three foreign militants killed in a gunfight in a forested area of Doda district.
June 12: A policeman injured in a militant attack in Doda district. June 11/12: Two foreign militants and a CRPF trooper killed in an operation following an attack on a joint check-post in Kathua district. Five Rashtriya Rifles personnel and a Special Police Officer were also injured in Doda district.
June 9: Nine pilgrims killed and 42 injured in a militant attack on a bus in Reasi district.
May 4: One IAF personnel killed and five injured in an attack in Poonch.
April 28: A village defence guard killed in Basantgarh, Udhampur district.
April 22: A government employee, whose brother served in the military, shot dead by militants in Rajouri district.
December 21, 2023: Four troopers killed and three wounded in an ambush by militants who fired at two military vehicles in southern Poonch district.
November 22, 2023: Five troopers, including two captains, killed in a gunfight.
April-May 2023: Ten troopers killed in twin attacks.
May 13, 2022: Four killed in an attack on a pilgrim bus in Katra.
December 14, 2021: Four troopers killed in another attack.