Anantnag Terror Attack Claims Lives of Army Officers and Cop
An intense operation is currently in progress in Anantnag, Jammu and Kashmir, as security forces strive to eliminate the terrorists responsible for a deadly attack. In a fierce gunfight on Wednesday, two Army officers and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) were tragically killed.
Ongoing Efforts to Neutralize the Threat
The situation in Anantnag remains precarious as security forces persist in their mission to neutralize the terrorist threat. This effort comes in the wake of the brutal attack that claimed the lives of the two Army officers and the senior police official.
Renewed Hunt for Terrorists in Kokernag
Security forces have resumed their mission to eliminate terrorists in the forested region of Kokernag. Notably, they have surrounded two terrorists, including a local Lashkar-e-Taiba operative named Uzair Khan.
Temporary Halt in the Operation
The operation to hunt down the terrorists faced a temporary halt after the tragic loss of an Army Colonel, a Major, and a Deputy Superintendent of Police from the Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Latest Developments in the Anantnag Encounter
A deadly encounter unfolded in Anantnag, where two Indian Army officers and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) lost their lives in a fierce battle against terrorists. The brave officers, namely Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and DSP Humayun Bhat, could not be evacuated in time due to heavy terrorist fire.
Claimed by The Resistance Front
The attack was claimed by The Resistance Front, an offshoot of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), as an act of revenge for the killing of their leader, Riyaz Ahmed, in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK) earlier in the month. Intelligence sources, however, suggest a connection to a previous attack on army soldiers in Jammu’s Poonch in April, involving a new terror module comprising members of LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed.
Terrorists Encircled by Jammu and Kashmir Police
In response to the attack, the Jammu and Kashmir Police announced that they have “encircled” two LeT terrorists, one of whom has been identified as Uzair Khan. The police force paid tribute to the bravery of the fallen officers in a solemn message.
Loss of Brave Officers
The J&K Police and the Army were working together on an anti-insurgency operation when the incident in Kokernag took place. Tragically, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonack, and DSP Humayun Bhat sustained critical injuries in the firefight. Colonel Singh, the Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, lost his life on the spot, while the other two succumbed to their injuries during medical treatment.
Respects Paid to DSP Humayun Bhat
DSP Humayun Bhat, a father of a two-month-old daughter and the son of retired Inspector General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Ghulam Hasan Bhat, was laid to rest in his hometown of Humhama in Budgam. Hundreds of people gathered to pay their last respects to the brave officer.
Honoring Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchak
On Thursday, the bodies of Major Ashish Dhonchak and Colonel Manpreet Singh were flown from the scene of the encounter. Top Army, police, and civil administration officials will pay their last respects to these courageous officers before their mortal remains are sent to their grieving families.
Calls for Policy Change
In the aftermath of the Anantnag encounter, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar has called for a change in the Government of India’s policy on Kashmir, citing the failure of current policies. Without explicitly mentioning Pakistan or terrorists, he placed the blame on the Centre for the tragic events in the Valley.
The Call for Dialogue
National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah emphasized the need for India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue to end bloodshed and establish lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah asserted that violence will persist without dialogue and criticized the BJP-led Centre’s claim that terrorism has ended in Jammu and Kashmir.
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