“An Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, along with a Major and a Jammu and Kashmir Police official, lost their lives in an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag, Kashmir.” These were the words spoken by Indian Army officials that have shaken the entire nation to its core.
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Who among Major Ashish Dhonack, Colonel Manpreet Singh, and DSP Humanyu Bhat could have ever imagined that they would reunite with their families, not in person, but wrapped up in the tricolor flag?
While the entire country slept peacefully at night, these brave hearts laid down their lives. They were not alone; alongside them were their lionhearted colleagues from the Indian Army and J&K Police. They all fought valiantly to fulfill their promise of keeping their motherland safe and sound.
On Tuesday night, the army and police launched a joint operation in response to specific intelligence about terrorists in the area. The troops, led by the commanding officer and the deputy superintendent of police, came under heavy fire from the terrorists. Three officers were critically injured in the gun battle. Reinforcements were sent to the scene, but the wounded could not be immediately evacuated due to the terrorists’ well-entrenched position and heavy gunfire.
The encounter took place between security forces and terrorists hiding in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district, as reported by a police official.
Meanwhile, two terrorists were killed by security forces during an encounter that began in the Narla area of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, according to ANI. The security forces recovered many warlike stores, including medicines with Pakistan markings, during a search amid the ongoing encounter, officials added.
Lt. Col. Suneel Bartwal, Defence PRO, stated that the Indian army and Jammu and Kashmir police had been tracking the movement of two terrorists since September 7.
Proving that dogs are indeed a man’s best friend and making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, a six-year-old female Labrador laid down her life while shielding her handler during an encounter that broke out in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri on Tuesday.
Two Lashkar terrorists responsible for the killing of the three jawans have been surrounded by security forces on Thursday. Police have reported that the operation to neutralize the militants is underway, and two LeT militants have been encircled by the forces. “In solemn tribute to the unwavering valor of Col. Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak, & DSP Humayun Bhat, who laid down their lives while leading from the front during this ongoing operation, our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LET terrorists, including Uzair Khan,” said J&K Police on its official handle on X (formerly Twitter).
The brave acts of these martyrs have unquestionably proven one thing to the entire country: when it comes to protecting the safety and honor of the country, no one fears death. Whether humans or animals, every soul in the Indian Army and the Police, and all our safeguarders, are ready to fight the battles to the end and defeat the enemy.
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