Mehbooba Mufti Criticizes DGP After Soldiers Killed in Doda Encounter
After the tragic loss of four soldiers in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti criticized the lack of accountability, calling for the DGP’s removal. She accused the DGP of political meddling and harassment.
The Indian Army expressed condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, who were identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay. The encounter began based on intelligence inputs, leading to a heavy firefight with terrorists.
Details of the Encounter
The encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Desa Forest area on Monday evening. The soldiers killed in action have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay.
Earlier, the Indian Army expressed its condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Doda encounter and said that the Army stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. “General Upendra Dwivedi COAS and all ranks of the Indian Army convey their deepest condolences to the Bravehearts, Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra and Sepoy Ajay, who laid down their lives in the line of duty while undertaking a counter-terrorist operation in Doda to ensure peace in the region. Indian Army stands firm with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” ADG PI-Indian Army posted on X.
On Monday night, based on specific intelligence inputs, a joint operation by the Indian Army and JK Police was in progress in Doda. According to the White Knight Corps, contact with terrorists was established tonight at about 9 PM in which a heavy firefight ensued. 4 Army personnel including an officer were killed in the firefight.
Statements from Mehbooba Mufti
Mehbooba Mufti said, “There is no accountability. By now, the heads should have rolled. The DGP should have been sacked. Almost 50 soldiers have lost their lives in the last 32 months. No one is being held accountable.” She further added, “The current DGP is busy fixing things politically. His job is to break the PDP, harass people and journalists, and threaten people. Verification has been weaponized. They are finding ways to impose UAPA on the maximum number of people. The maulwi are being blackmailed. We don’t need a fixer here, we need a DGP. We have had DGPs from other states before and they have worked very well. No one has worked on communal lines like things are being done now.”
Meanwhile, Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi also spoke with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday to brief him on the encounter in Doda.