A civilian was also injured in the encounter that broke out on the eve of Independence Day and is the latest in a series of incidents in the Jammu region that has witnessed a spike in violence of late.

The security situation in J&K in view of the recent surge in terror attacks was discussed during the meeting with the Prime Minister

One of the family members said he confronted a suspicious man at the door. “I saw a tall person standing there. When I asked him to identify himself, he claimed it was his house. I punched him, but he dodged my blow. When I picked up a stone to hit him, he ran into the forests.”

"We have not slept for 14 hours," said Sudarshan Singh, a member of a VDG group patrolling the Gai and the Banda areas to hunt down the terrorists linked to the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

These incidents occurred during a joint cordon and search operation in the Desa forest area, where four Army personnel were killed on the intervening nights of Monday and Tuesday.

Captain Thapa, born on January 15, celebrated as Army Day, was killed in action while combating heavily armed terrorists in Doda district.

Sarma, who serves as the BJP's election co-incharge in Jharkhand, is on a two-day visit to the state, participating in workers' felicitation programmes and Vijay Sankalp Sabhas.

“Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to COAS General Upendra Dwivedi this morning. RM was apprised of the ground situation and the ongoing counter-terrorism operation in Doda by the Army Chief,” the Defence Ministry's office posted on X.

"I am deeply anguished to learn about the cowardly attack on our Army soldiers and JKP personnel in Doda district,” LG Sinha said.

Four army personnel, including an officer, who were critically injured in a gunfight with heavily armed terrorists, succumbed to injuries in the Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir early Tuesday,

It is believed that two to three terrorists have been trapped by the security forces in the dense forests.

The terrorists opened fire from their mud house hideout when police forces supported by security personnel initiated search operations in the Sinoo panchayat.