On Saturday, Kashmir experienced one of the deadliest operations for security forces in the Valley. An Indian army Colonel, a Major and two soldiers, along with a Jammu and Kashmir Police sub-inspector, were killed in a counter-terrorist operation in Kashmir.
The Indian Army in a statement mentioned that the whole operation lasted for 12 hours and it took place at Handwara in Kupwara district. It also stated that two terrorists were killed in the operation.
Vijay Kumar, IG for Jammu & Kashmir was quoted by a news agency and he mentioned that a top Lashkar-e Taiba terrorist, (identified as Haider, a Pakistani national) was killed in the operation.
As per intelligence information, the terrorists had taken civilians hostage in a house in Handwara’s Changimulla. A joint team of five army personnel and a J&K Police officer reached the area and somehow managed to rescue the civilians. The security team, however, came under heavy fire and in the ensuing firefight the rescue team was killed besides the two terrorists.
The army colonel killed in the operation was Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Commanding Officer of the Rashtriya Rifles’ 21st Battalion. Colonel Sharma was a decorated officer and his death is being seen as a shocking blow to the morale of the forces. He was recognized at least twice for bravery in counter-terrorism operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to the martyrs
Rajnath Singh, described the deaths as “deeply disturbing and painful”. “The loss of our soldiers and security personnel in Handwara (J&K) is deeply disturbing and painful. They showed exemplary courage in their fight against the terrorists and made supreme sacrifice while serving the country. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice,” he said in a statement.
Tributes to our courageous soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the nation with utmost dedication and worked tirelessly to protect our citizens. Condolences to their families and friends.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2020
The loss of our soldiers and security personnel in Handwara(J&K) is deeply disturbing and painful. They showed exemplary courage in their fight against the terrorists and made supreme sacrifice while serving the country. We will never forget their bravery and sacrifice.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 3, 2020
I offer my tributes to the soldiers and security personnel who fell in action. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones today. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of these brave martyrs.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) May 3, 2020
In solidarity with the slained army personnel, the Indian Army in a Twitter post also paid tribute to the dead personnel. “Indian Army pays tribute to the brave security personnel of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, who were martyred in action on 2 May in J&K. We Salute the bravehearts of India.”
General M M Naravane #COAS and all ranks of #IndianArmy pay tributes to the valiant braves of our Army and J&K Police for their supreme sacrifice while fighting and eliminating terrorists in #Handwara. pic.twitter.com/WcLirwTQ1D
— ADG PI – INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 3, 2020
This terrible news has come after a month when five commandos belonging to an elite Indian Army unit were killed along the Line of Control in Kashmir’s Keran sector. Indian Army chief Manoj Mukund Naravane in a statement has slammed Pakistan for “exporting terror” at a time when the world was struggling to control the spread of the novel coronavirus.
