South Kashmir Encounter: Security Forces Engage Lashkar-e-Toiba Militants in Grueling Forest Standoff.
Fallen Heroes Honored as Operation Enters Third Day.
In a relentless pursuit of justice, security forces have cornered two Lashkar-e-Toiba militants, including local commander Uzair Khan, within the labyrinthine confines of the Kokernag forest south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. The operation, now in its third day, reverberated with the sounds of gunfire and explosions as brave officers faced off against a well-entrenched adversary.
The tragic events unfolded early Wednesday when two army officers and a Jammu and Kashmir Police Deputy Superintendent (DSP) paid the ultimate price in a fierce encounter with concealed Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists. The fallen heroes, identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonchak, and DSP Humayun Muzamil Bhat, demonstrated unwavering courage in the line of duty.
Since the early hours of Friday, combined army and police units have tirelessly targeted the suspected hideout of two to three terrorists within the densely forested area in Kokernag forest. Locals, residing in the vicinity, reported sporadic blasts near the encircled zone, indicating the intensity of the operation. One Gadol resident, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed, “Throughout the night, the security forces maintained a tight cordon around the forest.”
Among the trapped militants, local commander Uzair Khan stands out for his intricate knowledge of the forest topography and surrounding locales. Having joined the ranks of militants just last year, Khan assumed the mantle of Lashkar commander in the area, making him a formidable adversary for the security forces.
Jammu and Kashmir director general of police, Dilbag Singh, expressed confidence in bringing the perpetrators to justice swiftly. He asserted that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not go in vain, and vowed to hold the assailants accountable for their heinous act.
The self-proclaimed “Falcon Squad” of The Resistance Front (TRF) claimed responsibility for the attack, asserting that it was carried out in retaliation for the recent killing of Mohammad Riyaz in Rawalkote, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Civil society members across various parts of the Kashmir Valley paid tribute to the martyred officers through candlelight marches, underscoring the profound impact of their sacrifice.
On Friday morning, the mortal remains of Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchack were solemnly transported to their residences in Panipat. Deputy Superintendent Humayun Bhat was laid to rest at his residence in Budgam on Wednesday. The Indian Army orchestrated an airlift operation to bring the fallen heroes to Srinagar, where a somber homage was paid to their mortal remains on Thursday evening.
Security forces, acting on specific intelligence, embarked on the mission to root out terrorists from their hideout. The ensuing gunfight resulted in the tragic loss of Colonel Manpreet Singh, while two other officials sustained critical injuries, succumbing later in a Srinagar hospital.
Intelligence suggests that the terrorists belong to “The Resistance Front,” identified as a proxy outfit for Lashkar-e-Toiba. Suspected to number between two to three, the militants are believed to be deeply entrenched in the forested terrain. To bolster surveillance and aid in the search operation, authorities have deployed Heron drones and quadcopters in the area.
In the aftermath of the devastating loss, anti-Pakistan protests erupted in several parts of Jammu city, denouncing the killing of the four valiant security personnel. Organizations like Panun Kashmir and the Eik Sanatam Bharat Dal (ESBD) paid tribute to the fallen officers, advocating for a robust operation to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir.
