The anti-terror operation has been intensified by the Jammu and Kashmir Army and Police.
Srinagar:
Today, two more soldiers were injured in the clash, which is taking place in the dense forests of Kokernag in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The army and police launched a joint search operation late on Tuesday evening to track down the terrorists. The fierce encounter broke out in the early hours of the day on Wednesday.
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Chinese Corps, Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai and the GOC of Victor Force, Major General Balbir Singh are closely monitoring the operations and said the terrorists will not be spared.
Anti-terror operation has been intensified by the Jammu and Kashmir Army and Police and new generation weapons and devices are being used to detain the terrorists. The armed forces are also using the strike-capable Heron drones during the operation that has been going on for more than 40 hours.
The military, the joint police operation
On the night of September 12-13, a joint search operation was launched by the Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police and a cordon was laid in search of two to three terrorists in Garol village area of Anantnag, officials said.
After an extensive search, the troops found that the terrorists were in a hideout in the upper areas of the village, in the dense forest area.
Colonel Manpreet Singh led the search column of 19 RR, while Major Aashish Dhonchak, the commander of Kokernag Company of 19 RR, accompanied him in the operation. They passed through the newcomers and the rugged terrain of the forests.
Yesterday around noon the column came under heavy fire from the hiding terrorists. The search column retaliated and engaged but during the intense exchange of fire, Colonel Singh, Major Dhonchak and DSP Himanyun Bhat sustained gunshot wounds and later died due to the injuries.
Colonel Manpreet Singh, Sena Medal (Gallantry), was the Commander of 19 Rashtriya Rifles Unit (19 RR) and Major Aashish Dhonchak, Sena Medal (Gallantry), was the Company Commander of 19 RR. Himanyun Muzamil Bhat was a Deputy Superintendent (DySP) in the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today laid a wreath to pay tribute to the army officers in Srinagar. The bodies of the officers will be transported to their hometowns by a special plane.
The army said the bodies of the officers were recovered through a specialized operation in the treacherous terrain of Kokernag.
