New Delhi: An Army colonel, a major and a deputy superintendent of police of Jammu and Kashmir have died in an ongoing gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag.
The colonel was commanding the 19th Rashtriya Rifles unit, Army officials have said.
Terrible terrible news from J&K. An army colonel, a major and a J&K Police DYSP gave the ultimate sacrifice in an encounter in Kokernag area of South Kashmir today. DySP Humayan Bhat, Major Ashish Dhonack, and Colonel Manpreet Singh laid down their lives in an encounter with…
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) September 13, 2023
The operation against the terrorists began in Kokernag’s Gadole area Tuesday evening but was called off during the night.
The hunt resumed Wednesday morning after information came in that the terrorists had been spotted at a hideout.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were critically injured in the firefight, and died later, according to news agency PTI. Bhat died due to heavy blood loss, the agency said, adding Colonel Singh was heavily fired upon as he led his team from the front.
In a separate incident in Rajouri’s Narla, a jawan was killed in an encounter that began Tuesday. Three security personnel, including a special police officer, were injured.
A six-year-old Army labrador Kent also died in the operation while trying to shield her handler.
Two terrorists were killed in the encounter. A statement by Defence Public Relations Officer Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal said the first terrorist was killed Tuesday while the other was neutralised on Wednesday morning after heavy firing overnight.
“Large quantity of warlike stores have been recovered, including Pakistan marking medicines. One soldier of 63 RR has made the supreme sacrifice and three soldiers have been injured, along with an SPO. An Army dog has also laid down her life,” the statement read.
Also read: Army dog ‘Kent’ participated in 9 operations before laying down her life in Rajouri encounter