3 Security Personnel, Including Army Colonel, Killed in Gunfight with Terrorists in J&K’s Anantnag

Three security force officers including an Army Colonel were killed in an encounter with terrorists in Kokernag area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday. The forces were on a hunt for the terrorists when they received intel of their presence in a hideout.

Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were critically injured in the encounter and died later, officials said.

Bhat died due to heavy blood loss, they added.

Colonel Singh -commanding a 19 Rashtriya Rifles Unit — lead his team from the front and attacked the terrorists. However, the terrorists fired upon him and he was critically injured.

Later, a wreath laying ceremony for Jammu and Kashmir DSP Humayun Bhat was organised where Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha was seen paying tribute to the braveheart.

Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh also laid a wreath to pay tribute to the J&K police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice.

A Joint Operation was launched by the Indian Army & J&K Police — based on specific intelligence on presence of terrorists — on the intervening night of September 12 and 13 in the Garol area of Anantnag but was called off during the night. This morning, the hunt for the terrorists resumed after information started trickling that they were spotted at a hideout, the officials said.

During the hunt contact between the two sides was established and the encounter ensued, the army said.

According to sources, helicopters reached the spot to evacuate the injured. The DGP, ADGP, and the 15 Corps Commander reached the ground soon after the encounter.

Leaders React to the Security Personnel’s Supreme Sacrifice

West Bengal Chief Minister and TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee offered condolences to the families of the bravehearts, she wrote on X, “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 Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal also posted on X condoling the death of the security personnel and said “I salute their immortal martyrdom".

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also took to microblogging site X 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."

Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir Manoj Sinha posted on X saluting “the courage and supreme sacrifice of Army’s braveheart Rifleman Ravi who laid down his life in the line of duty in Rajouri".

Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge offered his condolences to the family of the bravehearts and 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."

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Omar Abdullah also expressed his grief over the death of the security personnel.

Congress leader K C Venugopal posted on X saying that their sacrifice in service of the nation will never be forgotten.

The People’s Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti posted on X condoling the death of the security personnel and 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."

Srinagar’s Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu also offered his condolences on the death of the Jammu and Kashmir Dy SP Humayun Bhat. Mattu posted on X, “Shocked and deeply anguished at the demise of DySP Humayan Bhat of

@JmuKmrPolice who laid down his life in the line of duty while fighting terrorists at #Kokernag.My heart goes out to his family and colleagues. My prayers for those injured. His sacrifice won’t be in vain."

This incident comes a day after an encounter broke out between the security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district.

Amid the encounter, an Indian army dog Kent made a supreme sacrifice while shielding its handler during the encounter. Soldier Kent — at the forefront of the operation — was a six-year-old female labrador of the 21 Army Dog Unit.

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“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 broke out between the militants and security forces in the Anantnag district.

The security forces had launched a search and cordon operation in Andan in Sangam area of the district following information about presence of militants there, a police officer said.

The operation turned into an encounter after militants opened fire at the security forces.