The operation against the terrorists in the Kokernag area of the Anantnag district was resumed on Thursday by the Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police. A gunfight with terrorists occurred on Wednesday in the Kokernag area of Kashmir’s Anantnag district, during which a Major, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, and an Indian Army Colonel who was commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit were all killed. The deceased officers have been identified as Major Ashish Dhonak, DSP Humayun Bhat, and Colonel Manpreet Singh.
“An Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit along with a Major have lost their lives in an encounter in Anantnag with terrorists in Kashmir. The off-vet was commanding 19 RR,” Indian Army officials said.
In a message on micro-blogging site, X, Kashmir Zone Police said: “In solemn tribute to the unwavering valor of Col Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak & DSP Humayun Bhat who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation. Our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists including Uzair Khan”.
On Wednesday night in Budgam, the DSP Humayun Muzammil Bhat’s final rites were conducted. Manoj Sinha, the lieutenant governor of Jammu and Kashmir, expressed his sorrow over the officers’ deaths in the encounter. “Paid respects to JKP DySP Humayun Bhat, who lost his life in Anantnag during a counterterrorism operation. I salute Col. Manpreet Singh and Major. Ashish Dhonack for their unwavering bravery and supreme sacrifice. The entire nation firmly supports their families in this time of sorrow, the LG office wrote in a post on the social media website X.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter that began in the Narla area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri on Tuesday.
Security forces have recovered a large quantity of warlike stores, including medicines, with Pakistan markings during a search amid the encounter that continued on Wednesday evening according to officials.