Published 11:42 IST, May 3rd 2020
5 personnel including Army Colonel, Major martyred in Handwara; Raksha Mantri pays tribute
An Army Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel martyred in an encounter with terrorists at a village in north Kashmir's Handwara area.
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An Army Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel martyred in an encounter with terrorists at a village in north Kashmir's Handwara area on Sunday. Issuing an official statement on Sunday, Indian Army said that they were martyred in an encounter with terrorists at a village in north Kashmir's Handwara area. The statement said that based on the intelligence input that terrorists had taken civilian as a hostage in a house in Changimul, Handwara of Kupwara district, a joint operation was launched by Army and JK Police.
A team comprising of five Army and JK Police personnel entered the target area occupied by the terrorists to evacuate the civilians and extricated the civilians, the statement said. Two terrorists were eliminated and the team of five Security Forces Personnel comprising of two Army officers, two Army soldiers and one JK Police Sub Inspector attained martyrdom.
Defence Minister pays tribute
Paying his tribute to the martyrs, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said: "I offer my tributes to the soldiers and security personnel who fell in action. My heart goes out to the families who lost their loved ones today. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of these brave martyrs. 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 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
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Assam's health minister Himanta Biswa Sharma also paid their tributes to the brave hearts. The Congress party also took to Twitter and saluted the martyrs.
Salute the martyrdom of our four army personnel including Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj, a Lance Naik, a rifleman & a police sub inspector in an encounter with the terrorists in J&K’s #Handwara. My heartfelt condolences to their families and prayers that they find strength.
— Ashok Gehlot (@ashokgehlot51) May 3, 2020
We are deeply saddened by the loss of 5 of India's bravehearts, including, Col Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj, J&K Police SI Shakeel Qazi.
— Congress (@INCIndia) May 3, 2020
The incident in #Handwara is a stark reminder of the incredible sacrifice our defence forces make in order to keep our Nation safe.
Jai Hind pic.twitter.com/rTjkpvSoIJ
The loss of 4 Army and 1 Police personnel in #Handwara in J&K is painful.
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 3, 2020
They made the supreme sacrifice in an encounter with terrorists. I salute their courage and offer my heartfelt condolences to their families. Prayers.
@adgpi @JmuKmrPolice
11:42 IST, May 3rd 2020