Shillong, September 15: An ongoing encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district has claimed the life of one more soldier, bringing the death toll to four since Wednesday. The area remains cordoned off, and a search operation is in progress, according to an official statement.
The encounter began following a gunfight between security forces and terrorists hiding in the Kokernag area of Anantnag on Wednesday. Tragically, the gunfight resulted in the loss of lives of an Army Rashtriya Rifles unit Commanding Officer (Colonel), a Company Commander (Major), and a Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). The encounter is still ongoing.
As per India Today, among the fallen heroes are Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish, and DSP Humayun Bhat. The identity of the fourth soldier who lost his life in the recent incident has not yet been disclosed.
Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchack were laid to rest at their residences in Panipat on Friday morning, while Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat was given a final farewell at his residence in Budgam on Thursday. The Indian Army had airlifted their bodies to Srinagar after the encounter, and a tribute was paid to their mortal remains on Thursday evening.
According to officials, the army had acted on specific intelligence inputs, leading the troops in search of terrorists in a hideout when the gunfight erupted. The terrorists opened fire, resulting in the immediate demise of Colonel Manpreet Singh and injuries to two other officials, who later succumbed to their injuries in a Srinagar hospital.
The terrorists involved are believed to be associated with “The Resistance Front,” a proxy group of Lashkar-e-Taiba. Security forces suspect that two to three terrorists are still hiding in the area. To aid in the search operation, Heron drones and quadcopters have been deployed for surveillance.
The tragic incident has led to anti-Pakistan protests in various parts of Jammu city. Organizations like Panun Kashmir and the Eik Sanatam Bharat Dal (ESBD) paid homage to the fallen security personnel and called for a significant operation against the terrorist network in Jammu and Kashmir.