New Delhi, July 16: After another terrorist attack in Jammu's Doda district, which claimed the lives of four soldiers, the opposition parties on Tuesday slammed the Central government and said that a united national effort is needed against cross-border terrorism. Four Indian Army soldiers, including an officer, were killed in action during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district on Tuesday. Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge has vehemently condemned the cowardly act and criticised the Modi government's response.

"Deeply distressed by the martyrdom of 4 brave Army soldiers, including an officer, in a terror encounter in Jammu & Kashmir's Doda. Our heart goes out to the families of our bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of Bharat Mata," Kharge said, expressing solidarity with the families of the fallen soldiers. Doda Encounter: Our Soldiers, Their Families Bearing Brunt of BJP’s ‘Wrong Policies’, Says Rahul Gandhi on Jammu and Kashmir Attacks.

Kharge's remarks underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasising the need for a recalibrated security strategy amidst the escalating violence in Jammu and Kashmir. " Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured, and we wish them a speedy and complete recovery. No words of strong and unequivocal condemnation will suffice for these acts of violence being perpetrated by cowardly terrorists," he asserted, calling for a united national effort against cross-border terrorism.

Congress party criticised the central government by posting a graphic on 'X' which claimed that within 38 days of the third term of the Bharatiya Janata Party government, nine terrorist attacks have already taken place.

The post also mentions that during these recent terrorist attacks, 12 soldiers were killed, 13 injured, 10 civilians were killed and 44 were injured.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti said that from all over the country, soldiers come to Kashmir for their duty but go back in "coffins."

"Soldiers from all over the country come to Kashmir for their duty, but go back in coffins. Who is responsible for this if you say militancy has ended in the valley?... In the last 32 months, especially since this DGP has been appointed, the maximum casualties have taken place... You people guard the borders. So whose responsibility is it to stop infiltration? Is it the responsibility of regional parties?" Mufti asked the government. Doda Encounter: Indian Army Chief Speaks to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Apprises Him of Ground Situation After 4 Soldiers Killed in Gunfight With Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

"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," the PDP chief said, addressing a press conference in Srinagar. AIMIM Chief Asaduddin Owaisi said if the Modi-led Centre is following the policy of 'Ghar mein ghus kar marenge" then what is happening there? He further attacked the central government, saying that the series of attacks reflects a failure of the government.

"PM Modi used to say, 'Ghar mein ghus kar marenge'. What is this then? This is a failure of the government. They are unable to control terrorism. Whatever has happened in Doda is very dangerous," Owaisi said. Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra criticised the central government over the recent terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda region and said that terrorism is at its peak since NDA assumed power and the central government is not taking any cognizance of the matter.

Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed his condolences to the families of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Doda encounter and called upon the people to unite in the fight against terrorism. "I am deeply anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our Army soldiers and JKP personnel in Doda district. Tributes to brave soldiers who made supreme sacrifice protecting our nation. My deepest condolences to members of the bereaved families," J-K LG posted on X.

He further said that we will "avenge" the deaths of our soldiers and thwart the "evil designs" of terrorists and their associates. Union Minister Jitendra Singh expressed deep concern over the killing of soldiers in Doda. "Deeply disturbed by the reports of armed encounter in Dessa area of district #Doda in my Lok Sabha constituency. Words fall short of condoling and condemning the martyrdom of our Bravehearts. Let all of us join together to defeat the nefarious designs of the enemy and, maintain the peace and harmony for which Doda has always been known for," Singh posted on X.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who apprised him about the ground situation and ongoing operation in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda on Tuesday. Colonel Bhuwanesh Thapa (retd), the father of Captain Brijesh Thapa, who was killed in action in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda, remembered his son and said that he is "proud" that his son has done something for the nation and for the security of the nation.

"I could not believe when I was informed that he was no more. He always wanted to be in the Indian Army, right from his childhood. He used to wear my Army dress and roam around. Even after he had done his engineering, he still wanted to go to the Army. He cleared the exam in one go and was admitted into the Army. I feel proud that my son has done something for the nation and for the security of the nation. The only sad part is we won't be able to meet him again; otherwise, I am happy that he sacrificed his life for his country," he said.

The encounter broke out between security forces and terrorists in the Desa Forest area in Doda on Monday evening. The soldiers killed in action have been identified as Captain Brijesh Thapa, Naik D Rajesh, Sepoy Bijendra, and Sepoy Ajay. After the encounter in Doda, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi alleged that the soldiers were bearing the brunt of BJP's wrong policies.

"Today, our soldiers were killed 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. Such horrific incidents happening one after the other is extremely sad and worrying. These continuous terrorist attacks are revealing the poor condition of Jammu and Kashmir," he said on X.

"Our soldiers and their families are bearing the brunt of the BJP's wrong policies. Every patriotic Indian demands 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. In this hour of grief, the entire country stands united against terrorism," Rahul added. (ANI)

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