Captain Deepak Singh. (Photo: Indian Army)
Udhampur: A young Indian Army officer was killed in a fierce gunbattle with militants in the Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir on Wednesday. Captain Deepak Singh, leading a counterinsurgency operation in the Assar area in the region, succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained during the encounter.
Capt Singh, 25, was commissioned in the Garhwal Rifles in 2020. He was deputed in 48 Rastriya Rifles, which is deployed in the Jammu region for counterinsurgency operations, when he was killed in action.
The operation, which is still underway, is linked to one of the three counterinsurgency operations that security forces had launched in the Union territory, as India Sentinels had reported on Monday. It was launched following intelligence reports indicating the presence of militants in a forested area. Security forces, including the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police, engaged the heavily armed militants in a prolonged and fierce exchange of fire, which took place near Panitop – a popular tourist destination in the region.
One militant was confirmed dead at the scene, with evidence, like blood on the ground and foliage and an abandoned M-4 carbine, suggesting additional casualties among the insurgents, who are believed to have infiltrated from across the line of control (LoC) with Pakistan. A civilian was also injured in the crossfire and is receiving medical treatment.
The Army has paid tribute to Capt Singh, describing him as a brave and dedicated officer. Tributes have also been flowing in on social media since the news of Capt Singh’s death broke. The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has convened a high-level meeting to discuss the situation in Jammu & Kashmir and to offer condolences to the bereaved family.
— White Knight Corps (@Whiteknight_IA) August 14, 2024
All Ranks of #WhiteKnightCorps salute the supreme #sacrifice of #Braveheart Capt Deepak Singh who succumbed to his injuries.#WhiteKnightCorps offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.@adgpi@NorthernComd_IA pic.twitter.com/kc6SIczb3S
The encounter is ongoing as security forces continue to search the area for remaining militants.
