Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): During an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir's Kokernag area of the Anantnag district, an Army Colonel, a Major, and a DySp were killed on Wednesday, officials said.
"During the initial exchange of fire at around 2 pm today, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were critically injured," a senior Army official said.
"They were first shifted to a local medical facility in Anantnag but were later airlifted to the Army's base hospital in Srinagar for better treatment. But unfortunately, all three succumbed one after the other due to heavy blood loss. Colonel Singh and Major Dhonack were associated with Army's 19 RR," the official added.
Sharing details about the whole operation, the official said, "We got inputs from police last night and a cordon was launched in the Gadole area. However, due to dark hours, the operation was called off till the morning. With the first light of the day, the operation started again and when forces zeroed their hideout, the militants started firing in an attempt to flee."
"Col Singh led from the front and took bullets in the chest while foiling the flee attempt of the militants. Major Dhonack and DySP Bhat too were critically injured in the line of fire," the official added.
Meanwhile, two former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir expressed condolences to the families of three security personnel killed during the encounter.
"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, " Mehbooba Mufti, former J&K CM and PDP supremo, posted on X.
Former CM and National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah said: "Terrible terrible news from J&K. An army colonel, a major and a J&K Police DYSP gave the ultimate sacrifice in an encounter in Kokernag area of South Kashmir today (sic)."
"DySP Humayan Bhat, Major Ashish Dhonack, and Colonel Manpreet Singh laid down their lives in an encounter with militants. May their souls rest in peace & may their loved ones find strength at this difficult time," he added.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held for deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat, who was killed in the encounter. The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone today expressed profound sorrow and grief at the tragic loss of three valiant officers.
“My heart goes out to the families of three valiant officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Their dedication and commitment to serving our nation will never be forgotten. This is indeed a very sad day”, Lone said. He also said that their sacrifice reminds us of the immense challenges and risks that our security forces and police personnel face in safeguarding the peace and security of the region.
“We stand in solidarity with the families of the martyred officers during this difficult time. We pray that the souls of these brave officers may rest in eternal peace”, he added.
The ancestral home of martyred Colonel Manpreet Singh is Bhronjian of SAS Nagar (Mohali). However, his family resides in Sector 26 of Panchkula.
Meanwhile, in the encounter that began in Rajouri yesterday, a second terrorist was killed in the continuing gunfight with the security forces on Wednesday. With this, the death toll further rose to three in the gunfight that broke out during the ongoing three-day search operation in a remote village in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district, the official sources said.
Also Read: Second terrorist killed during encounter in J-K's Rajouri
