2 Army Officers And DSP Killed In Terrorist Operation (twitter.com/OfficeOfLGJandK)
The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba, reportedly claimed the attack in Anantnag.
Two Army officers and a DSP were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday, during a joint anti-insurgency operation.
Two Indian Army officers and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) were killed in a fierce gunfight with terrorists in Kokernag in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.
The deceased officers have been identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and DSP Humayun Bhat. Colonel Singh, who was the Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, died on the spot, while Major Dhonack and DSP Bhat succumbed to their injuries later.
According to India Today, the attack was claimed by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) Resistance Front, in revenge to the killing of LeT commander Riyaz Ahmed in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) earlier this month.
LeT, a banned terrorist front also known as Army of the Righteous, is one of the largest and most proficient of the Kashmir-focused militant groups.
LeT commander Riyaz Ahmed, codenamed Qasim, was shot dead at close quarters inside the Al-Qudus mosque in the Rawalakot region of POK on September 8. His death had sparked outrage among his followers, leading to the retaliatory attack in Kokernag, India Today reports. Mr Ahmed”s father, too, was a terrorist who was killed in 2005.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Thursday said that they, “persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists including Uzair Khan”.
“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”, the Kashmir Zone Police said in a post on X.
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
— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) September 14, 2023
The encounter in Kokernag took place during a joint anti-insurgency operation involving J&K Police and the Army, on Wednesday. The operation reportedly was launched by army’s Rashtriya Rifles and police on a specific information on the intervening night of September 12-13 in Garol.
Mr Bhat had been serving as the Deputy Superintendent of Police in the Jammu and Kashmir Police for the past three years and had got married just last year.
#WATCH | Jammu and Kashmir: Last rites of DSP of J&K Police Humayun Muzammil Bhat, who lost his life in the Anantnag encounter, performed in Budgam. pic.twitter.com/xwN04vK057
— ANI (@ANI) September 13, 2023
“We got to know it last evening…She is their daughter and she has an elder brother…He (Manpreet Singh) was awarded with Sena Medal a year ago. As per the reports, the body will reach Mohali between 4-5 pm in the evening”, responded Jagdev Singh, father-in-law of Colonel Manpreet Singh to media.
#WATCH | Panchkula, Haryana: Jagdev Singh, father-in-law of Colonel Manpreet Singh, who lost his life during an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag yesterday says, “We got to know it last evening…She is their daughter and she has an elder brother…He (Manpreet Singh) was… pic.twitter.com/ULMppcs2gm
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023
“We last spoke to him at 6:45 am. He said he would speak later. He was a good man. Last year, he was awarded Sena Medal for his duty. I salute him”, said Virender Gill, brother-in-law of Colonel Manpreet Singh to ANI.
#WATCH | Panchkula, Haryana: Virender Gill, brother-in-law of Colonel Manpreet Singh, who lost his life during an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag yesterday, says, “We last spoke to him at 6:45 am. He said he would speak later. He was a good man. Last year, he was awarded… pic.twitter.com/gpVFzTsHq0
— ANI (@ANI) September 14, 2023
The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held a protest in Jammu on Wednesday, raising slogans against Pakistan.
“General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of Col Manpreet Singh, Maj Aashish Dhonchak and DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat @JmuKmrPolice who laid down their lives as per highest traditions while fighting the terrorists in #Anantnag and express heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families”, wrote the Indian Army on X.
General Manoj Pande #COAS and All Ranks of #IndianArmy salute the supreme sacrifice of Col Manpreet Singh, Maj Aashish Dhonchak and DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat @JmuKmrPolice who laid down their lives as per highest traditions while fighting the terrorists in #Anantnag and express… https://t.co/Hl5EmNcO7R
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) September 14, 2023
“Our brave Army personnel and a DSP have made the supreme sacrifice fighting terrorists in an encounter at Anantnag in Jammu & Kashmir”, said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on X.
“We are extremely saddened by their loss. Our deepest condolences to the families of our bravehearts. India stands united against terrorism”, Kharge extended condolences.
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.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) September 13, 2023
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha also took his social media and paid condolences to the martyrs. “Paid tributes to JKP”s DySP Humayun Bhat, who laid down his life in an anti-terror operation in Anantnag. I salute the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice of Col Manpreet Singh & Major Ashish Dhonack. Entire nation stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief”, he wrote.
Paid tributes to JKP”s DySP Humayun Bhat, who laid down his life in an anti-terror operation in Anantnag. I salute the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice of Col Manpreet Singh & Major Ashish Dhonack. Entire nation stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief. pic.twitter.com/WnNlag9qAX
— Office of LG J&K (@OfficeOfLGJandK) September 13, 2023
The attack come a day after an Army personnel and Kent, a six-year-old female Labrador of the Army”s dog unit, were killed and three security personnel injured in a gunfight in the South of Pir Panjal at Rajouri in Jammu region.
