Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his condolences over the deaths of army personnel in Doda on Thursday.
In a statement, he said he was “deeply anguished” by the incident and praised the bravery of the soldiers.
He added that their service to the nation “will be remembered forever” and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. Modi also assured that all possible support was being provided to those affected.
Deeply anguished by the mishap in Doda, in which we have lost our brave army personnel. Their service to the nation will be remembered forever. May the injured recover at the earliest. All possible support is being provided to those affected.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 22, 2026
Observers have highlighted some notable aspects of Modi’s statement.
Firstly, he exercised caution by not directly naming Pakistan, which is being seen as a lesson learned from past controversies.
Secondly, analysts suggest that Modi’s remarks acknowledge that there is a freedom struggle ongoing in Doda, Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
Finally, observers interpret the statement as an indirect recognition that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have rejected Article 370 and continue to fight for their freedom.
Observers say it is a frequently noticed pattern that the Indian Prime Minister tends to blame Pakistan in such incidents. But this time he ‘carefully avoided doing so.’
Observers say that this behaviour gives the impression that, after learning the lessons of the disastrous defeat in Operation Sindoor, the Indian Prime Minister is avoiding direct blame and has probably learned from past experiences.
According to them, PM Narendra Modi’s statements also reveal that he is recognising the ongoing situation in Doda, IIOJK, as a freedom struggle.
They further say that the Indian Prime Minister’s statements indicate that he is recognising that the people of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir have rejected Article 370 and want to fight for their freedom.
