• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Tue, 16 Jul 2024 12:48 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Doda Encounter Reactions: As an overnight encounter between security forces and terrorists in the Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir stretched into the morning on Tuesday, claiming the lives of four Army personnel, Congress MP and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi took to social media to criticise the BJP-led central government over the recent spike in terror-related incidents across the union territory.

"Today, our soldiers were martyred in another terrorist encounter in Jammu and Kashmir. I pay my humble tribute to the martyrs and express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families," Rahul said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He added, "These continuous terrorist attacks are reflecting the dilapidated condition of Jammu and Kashmir. Our soldiers and their families are bearing the brunt of BJP's wrong policies."

The post (originally in Hindi) further read, "It is the demand of every patriotic Indian that the government should take full responsibility for the repeated security lapses and take strict action against the culprits who harm the country and the soldiers." Meanwhile, slamming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "The spate of terror attacks that has gripped Jammu and Kashmir in the past 36 days, needs careful recalibration in our security strategy."

It is pertinent to mention that the deadly terrorist attack in Jammu's Reasi last month coincided with Modi's oath-taking ceremony for a third consecutive term as the prime minister. In his statement, via X, Kharge on Tuesday further stated, "Modi Govt is acting as if everything is 'business as usual' and nothing has changed. They must know that increasingly Jammu region is bearing the brunt of these attacks."

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi and took stock of the ground situation at the encounter site. Following the interaction, Singh posted on X: "Deeply saddened by the loss of our brave and courageous Indian Army Soldiers in a counter terrorist operation in Urrar Baggi, Doda (J&K)."

The defence minister added, "My heart goes out to the bereaved families. The Nation stands firmly with the families of our soldiers who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The Counter Terrorist operations are underway, and our soldiers remain committed to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and restore peace and order in the region."

(With inputs from agencies)