Special Ops Team Ambushed in Doda District; Fatal Shooting Reported

A Special Operations Group (SOG) convoy was ambushed on the JAI‑Gandoh road in Doda district, Jammu and Kashmir, on the night of July 17, leading to the death of a civilian and injuries to three security personnel.

The team had been dispatched to the high‑altitude tourist destination of Jai Valley after receiving reports of suspicious movements in the area. At roughly 11:30 p.m., they stopped a young man who allegedly tried to seize a rifle from an officer. The ensuing exchange of fire resulted in the suspect being killed on the spot.

Three SOG soldiers were hit during the skirmish. They were initially taken to the sub‑district hospital in Bhaderwah and later transferred to the GMC in Doda for further treatment. One of the injured officers later succumbed to his injuries.

The victim, identified as 30‑year‑old Arif Hussain of Bhalla village, Bhaderwah, is believed to have acted alone. In the aftermath, the administration ordered a temporary shutdown of mobile internet services across Doda as a security precaution.

Law enforcement agencies have launched a comprehensive probe, reviewing intelligence inputs and CCTV recordings, to determine if the incident is linked to broader extremist activities that have been reported in the region over the past few months.