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Terror hits Doda again, two soldiers hurt in fresh attack
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Terror attack details getting ‘aired live’ on social media
Two soldiers were injured when terrorists opened indiscriminate fire on a temporary camp of security forces which was being used during a search operation at Jaddan Bata village of Kastigarh area in Doda district early on Thursday.
The attack comes a day after terrorists were sighted in Desa forest area by security forces and Village Defence Guards (VDGs) which was followed by two brief encounters.
Thursday’s attack came at around 3 am when the soldiers were resting inside a government school after a massive search operation. The door and walls of the school were hit by bullets. Two soldiers suffered injuries out of whom one was critical and was airlifted to Command Hospital at Udhampur. It is believed that the terrorists were following the search parties.
“Swift action by Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Air Force Station, Udhampur, saved a critically injured soldier’s life in Doda. Despite challenging weather, the evacuation was successful, ensuring timely medical care at Command Hospital,” the Army spokesperson said.
It is not confirmed whether the attackers were from the same group who killed four soldiers during an encounter in Desa forest area on Monday or a different group.
While both Desa and Kastigarh are dense forests located in Doda district, their distance cannot be covered within a short duration. Multiple sources in the security establishment said that the terrorists could be different as there are already 2-3 groups of foreign ultras moving in the higher reaches of the district.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban range, Shridhar Patil who visited Kastigarh said that a well-coordinated search operation was being carried out by different security forces when the attack took place. “We had a contact with the terrorists yesterday (Wednesday) also and they came in contact today early morning as well. We will soon get success,” said the DIG.
Heavy rainfall and dense fog disrupted the search operation during the morning hours which cleared as the day proceeded.
Interestingly, the Doda police have intensified a crackdown on the network of Over-Ground Workers (OGWs) from whom some vital information has been received by the security forces regarding the presence of Pakistani terrorists in the region.
The Doda police have arrested at least four OGWs who were linked with the recent spate of terror attacks. While three OGWs were arrested on June 18, one was arrested on July 18. All arrests were made from Gandoh area in Doda. One of the arrested OGWs, Showket Ali, is suspected to have provided logistic help to terrorists through which they contacted their handlers in Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the details of the recent terror attacks in Jammu have been accentuated via social media applications like Telegram and X by people operating social media accounts from outside the country, reveals a detailed analysis by Indian security agencies.
A terror group calling itself ‘Kashmir Tigers’ claimed to have carried out the attacks and has been broadcasting details almost live via Telegram channels and with posts on X. Individuals and accounts actively share details and images related to these incidents. The Telegram channels are being used to threaten the local population and speak about the “revival of resistance”.
Most of these social media handles have been blocked — in the past few days — at the request of the government.
Indian security agencies have done a detailed analysis of two terror attacks — one of July 8 in Kathua and another one on July 14 at Doda and come out with details on the use of social media in spreading the message of these attacks.
Kashmir Tigers is a shadow group reportedly associated with the Pakistan-backed and based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), the analysis says.
Kashmir Tigers have claimed responsibility for both the Kathua and Doda attacks. The analysis done by security agencies says over 30 social media accounts actively share details and videos related to these incidents, amplifying the messages of Kashmir Tigers.
These accounts have been tracked to countries abroad. “There is coordination between these handles, giving an insight that it’s a larger group working on social media amplification,” said a source.
‘Kashmir Tigers’ maintain two Telegram channels to its followers. These are open channels of Telegram and anyone with that app can see it.
“Kashmir Tigers frequently post detailed claims and updates regarding their attacks. These platforms serve as crucial channels for the group to disseminate information about themselves,” the analysis says.
On the flip side, within India, the recent terrorist attacks in Kathua and Doda have elicited a strong negative sentiment from people due to the tragic loss of Indian Army personnel, says the analysis adding that matters are being discussed on social media.
The first incident occurred on July 8 in Badnota village, Kathua district. The attack targeted an Indian Army vehicle resulting in the deaths of five personnel and injuries to five others.
On July 14, Kashmir Tigers claimed responsibility for the Doda ambush in the Desa forest area resulting in the deaths of four Indian Army soldiers. This incident occurred during cordon and search operation.
