What we know about army officers, policeman killed in J&K encounter

In an encounter with Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on Wednesday in the Anantnag region of Jammu and Kashmir, three members of the security forces, including an Army Colonel, were killed. The forces were searching for the terrorists in the Kokernag region when they learned that they were hiding out there. Here’s all we know about the incident. Also read: Second terrorist killed during encounter in J&K’s Rajouri About the Bravehearts who made the supreme sacrifice Officials reported that Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat were all fatally wounded in the encounter. Bhat’s death was caused by significant blood loss, they noted. The 19 Rashtriya Rifles (19 RR) unit’s commander, Colonel Singh, led his men from the front and fought the terrorists. But when the terrorists opened fire on him, he was critically injured, reported News18.

He was originally from the 12th Sikh Light Infantry and had four months left in his assignment with the Rashtriya Rifles. In J&K, the army’s counterinsurgency unit is known as the Rashtriya Rifles. The 41-year-old, who received the prestigious Sena Medal (SM), is a Chandigarh native, according to News9. He is survived by his wife Jagmeet Grewal, an economics lecturer, and their two children, a daughter who is two and a son who is six. “We last spoke to him (Colonel Singh) at 6:45 am. He said he would speak later. He was a good man. Last year, he was awarded the Sena Medal for his duty. I salute him,” Colonel Singh’s brother-in-law Virender Gill told ANI. The 34-year-old Major Aashish Dhonchak was the only son of his parents and is survived by his wife and daughter, age 2, who reside in Panipat, Haryana. His three sisters are married and he had last visited his home six months ago to attend his brother-in-law’s wedding, reported Hindustan Times. “Last spoke to him on the telephone. He was home one and a half months ago and was supposed to return in October to shift houses,” Major Dhonack’s uncle told NDTV. Later, a wreath-laying ceremony for Jammu and Kashmir DSP Humayun Bhat was held, and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was present to pay respects to the braveheart. A wreath was also placed on Bhat’s son’s body by his father, former J&K police Inspector General (IG) Ghulam Hassan Bhat. Two months ago, Bhat and his wife gave birth to a daughter, as per News9.

“Deeply saddened by the terrible loss of three young bravehearts Col. Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack of 19 RR & DySP Humanyun Muzamil Bhat son of retired IG of J&K Police Shree Ghulam Hassan Bhat,” Director General of J&K Police Dilbaj Singh said while paying tribute to the J&K police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice.

Also read: 4 years of Article 370 abrogation: Has security situation improved in J&K? The joint operation According to News18, the Indian army and police conducted a joint operation on the intervening nights of 12 and 13 September, after receiving specific details about the presence of terrorists in the Garol area of Anantnag. However, the operation was called off in the middle of the night. After word spread that the terrorists had been seen at a hideout, the search for them resumed this morning, according to the officials. According to the army, contact between the two sides was made during the search, and an encounter followed. Heavy gunfire was directed at the troops being led by the commanding officer and a Jammu and Kashmir police deputy superintendent. According to ThePrint sources, some members of the staff suffered injuries from gunshot wounds, while others suffered injuries from sliding from the cliff. A jawan also died, according to NDTV, and it is unknown where another soldier is. The Army helicopters were unable to land close to the scene of the incident due to intense shooting, therefore the three officers who were badly injured could not be saved in time. ThePrint sources claim that when the chopper attempted to land nearby to remove the injured soldiers, the terrorists opened fire. Among the top officials who have hurried to the scene of the encounter to supervise the operation and evacuation of bodies are Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai, Army’s 15 Corps commander, and Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh. In the last 24 hours, there have been two encounters. Earlier, during a tough encounter with terrorists in J&K’s Rajouri district, one army soldier was killed in action and three security forces personnel were injured, according to the police. The incident also resulted in the deaths of two terrorists. In Rajouri, the operation is still in progress. Also read: J&K: How Amit Shah abrogated Article 370 and deftly managed the fallout Tributes pour in Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on X (formerly Twitter) saluted “the courage and supreme sacrifice of Army’s bravehearts Rifleman Ravi who laid down his life in the line of duty in Rajouri.”

Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman also took to the micro-blogging site and said, “Two army officers and a police officer have lost their lives in a counter-terror operation in #Anantnag, J&K. They have sacrificed themselves to keep us safe. These martyrs have served Bharat with utmost dedication and bravery. My prayers to the Almighty to give strength for their families and friends to bear with this loss.”

West Bengal chief minister and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee offered condolences to the families of the martyred and wrote, “I am deeply saddened by the loss of our courageous heroes in the Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir encounter. My heart goes out to their families and loved ones. May the souls of our bravehearts rest in peace. Their dedication to protecting our nation will never be forgotten.”

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal also condoled the death of the security personnel and said, “I salute their immortal martyrdom.”

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge said, “Our brave Army personnel and a DSP have made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists in an encounter at Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir. We are extremely saddened by their loss. Our deepest condolences to the families of our bravehearts. India stands united against terrorism."

The People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti condoling the death of the security personnel on X said, “My deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in the line of duty at Anantnag today. There is no place for such abominable acts of violence." Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief over the loss.

An army dog killed, 3 security personnel injured in another encounter This incident occurred the day after an encounter between the security forces and terrorists in Rajouri. Kent, an Indian army dog, gave the ultimate sacrifice during the battle while protecting its handler. Six-year-old female labrador Soldier Kent of the 21 Army Dog Unit was in charge of the operation. “Army dog Kent was at the forefront of ‘Operation Sujaligala’. Kent was leading a column of soldiers on the trail of the fleeing terrorists. It came down under heavy hostile fire. While shielding its handler, it laid down its life in the best traditions of the Indian Army," a Defence spokesperson said. Previously in May, an encounter occurred in the Anantnag district between the militants and the security forces. After receiving information that militants were present in Andan in the Sangam area of the district, the security forces began a search and cordon operation, a police officer said. After militants fired on the security troops, the operation changed into an encounter. With inputs from agencies