As the country battles COVID-19, a Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel killed in an encounter at a village in north Kashmir’s Handwara area, officials said . Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, the commanding officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit who lost his life in Handwara, was decorated twice for gallantry in counter-terrorist operations. Other who were martyred are – Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar and Lance Naik Dinesh Singh.
Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter at the Chanjmulla area of Handwara, which is part of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, they said.
4 Army personnel- Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar and Lance Naik Dinesh Singh who lost their lives in the encounter in #Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir: Indian Army pic.twitter.com/qzWIbzPkUu
— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2020
The army officers were leading a team to rescue civilians who had been taken hostage by the terrorists, the officials said.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, too in his tweet condemned the attack , in his tweet Modi said that their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
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
“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,” Modi said.
Reacting to the attack , Defence Minister Rajnath Singh termed it as “deeply disturbing and painful” the killing of five security personnel including two senior army officers, a colonel and a major, in an anti-terror operation in the Handwara area of north Kashmir.
Singh said the security personnel showed exemplary courage in their fight against the terrorists and that their bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten.
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
“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,” the defence minister tweeted.
Former Jammu And Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah too tweeted his anguish over the attack in a tweet,
Sorry to hear about the army & police officers & the jawan who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Handwara this morning. May their souls rest in peace & may their families & colleagues find strength at this difficult time.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 3, 2020
