Colonel Manpreet Singh (SM), Major Aashish Dhonchak and DSP Himanyu Muzamil Bhat were killed in action
Srinagar:
A colonel, a major of an Army Rashtriya Rifles unit and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himanyun Muzamil Bhat were killed in the gunfight. Colonel Manpreet Singh was the Commander of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles (19 RR) unit and was awarded the prestigious Sena Medal (SM).
Rashtriya Rifles is the armed forces force operating in Jammu and Kashmir.
Himayun Muzamil Bhat’s father Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a retired Inspector General (IG) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, laid a wreath on his son’s body
“Deeply saddened by the terrible loss of three young braves, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack of 19 RR & DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat, son of retired IG of J&K Police Shri Ghulam Hassan Bhat,” said Director General of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh.
On behalf of J&K Police Pariwar DGP, J&K Sh Dilbag Singh condoled the martyrdom of the brave officers of J&K Police and Army at a meeting at Gadool, Kokernag, Anantnag.
The DGP in his message said that he is deeply saddened by the terrible loss of three young… pic.twitter.com/pMJSwYE8wX— J&K Police (@JmuKmrPolice) September 13, 2023
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Singh paid tribute to Deputy Superintendent of Police Himanyun Muzamil Bhat and laid a wreath on his body.
The body of the police officer and the two army officers were recovered from the dense forests of Kokernag area of Anantnag.
Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai, commander of the 15th Army Corps and Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh are among the top officials who rushed to the encounter site to oversee the operation and evacuation of bodies.
Earlier, the Army’s Cheetah helicopters were deployed for surveillance and evacuation operations at the encounter site.
Sources said the army and police launched a joint operation late last night after receiving specific information about the presence of terrorists.
The troops led by the Commander and a Deputy Superintendent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police came under heavy fire.
The three officers were seriously injured. Reinforcements were immediately sent to the area but due to heavy fire from terrorists, who are believed to be well entrenched, the injured could not be evacuated immediately, sources said.
This is the second meeting in the last 24 hours. Earlier, one Army soldier was killed in action and three security forces injured during a fierce clash with terrorists in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said.
Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter. The operation in Rajouri is still ongoing.
