Jammu and Kashmir: Families, villagers come out in support after Army Colonel, Major, DSP killed in terrorist encounter

Four Army personnel, including Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles battalion, Major Ashish Dhonack, Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and a jawan were killed in a terrorist encounter in Kokorenag. Another soldier went missing in the gunfight on Wednesday (September 13) morning.

The operation against the terrorists commenced on Tuesday evening in the Garol area but was temporarily halted during the night. It resumed when information suggested that they were spotted at a hideout in the vicinity.

Colonel Singh, leading his team from the front, was critically injured during the gunfight and succumbed to his injuries along with other officers.

Deputy Superintendent Bhat, who leaves behind a two-month-old daughter and is the son of retired Inspector General Ghulam Hasan Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, passed away due to heavy blood loss.

Singh, who belonged to the 12th Sikh LI, was a recipient of the Sena medal. Dhonack belonged to the 15th Sikh LI.

The banned Resistance Front believed to be a shadow group of Pakistan-based Lashker-e-Taiba, has claimed responsibility for the attack. Authorities suspect that these are the same terrorists responsible for the attack on army personnel on August 4, which resulted in the loss of three brave soldiers in the higher reaches of the Halan forest area of Kulgam district.

In a display of solidarity and grief, scores of people gathered at the residences of Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchak to mourn their loss.

Families and villagers expressed their anguish and called for a strong response against the perpetrators of such acts of violence.

Officials said the bodies of the two deceased officers have been brought to the Army's 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar.

The mortal remains of the two are expected to reach their respective places by the evening or early next morning, the family members said.

The entire nation mourns the loss of these dedicated officers.

DGP Dilbag Singh condoled the death of the braveheart officers of the police and army. In a message, he said every loss of life is unfortunate and asserted that the perpetrators of the crime would be brought to justice soon.

He extended his sympathies to the bereaved families.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah along with other political leaders, also offered their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti while offering condolences to the bereaved families said there was no place for such acts of violence.

People's Conference chairman Sajad Gani Lone also condoled the death of the bravehearts. Paying tributes to the three fallen officers, BJP leader Altaf Thakur said the security forces are committee to root out terror from Jammu and Kashmir.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Haryana counterpart Manohar Lal Khattar took to X and paid tributes to the slain officers.

The attack comes 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 the gunfight South of Pir Panjal at Rajouri in Jammu region. Two terrorists were killed in an encounter in the remote Narla village.