Kashmir: Police Operation Against Militants on in Kokernag After Killing of 3 Security Officers

Srinagar:  Wednesday’s encounter in Kokernag that killed three security officers is the second major encounter in the Valley since last month where security forces suffered serious casualties. It is also the second gunfight in the Union territory since the past two days

On Wednesday, a Colonel of the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, an army Major and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) were killed in a fierce encounter with militants in Kokernag area of Anantnag district in South Kashmir.

The officers -- Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonack of 19 RR and DySP Muhammad Hamayun Muzamil Bhat of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, are believed to be have been killed by militants associated with the Lashkar e Toiba (LeT) outfit.

The police said that the operation against the militants continues near the encounter site.

“In solemn tribute to the unwavering valour of Col Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Humayun Bhat who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation. Our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle two LET terrorists including Uzair Khan,” said Kashmir Zone Police said on Thursday.

Bhat joined the police force in 2018, the year his father Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a former Inspector General of Police (Kashmir), retired from service. A wreath laying ceremony for Bhat, who was married last year, was carried out on Wednesday evening where top officials from the police and civil administration paid tributes to the victim. The wreath laying for the slain army personnel is yet to be held, according to a senior army official based in Srinagar.

“Paid tributes to JKP's DySP Humayun Bhat, who laid down his life in an anti-terror operation in Anantnag. I salute the indomitable courage and supreme sacrifice of Col Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonack. Entire nation stands firmly with their families in this hour of grief,” the office of Lt Governor wrote on X.

Colonel Manpreet was commissioned into Sikh Light Infantry (SIKHLI) and was decorated with the Sena Medal for Gallantry in 2021. According to officials, 19 RR is the same unit that had eliminated top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani at Kokernag in 2016.

The encounter in Kokernag is the second major encounter in the Valley since last month where security forces suffered serious casualties and second gunfight in the union territory since the last two days. An Army soldier Rifleman Ravi Kumar of the 63 RR was killed in a gunfight in Rajouri forests of Jammu region which ended with the killing of two militants.

The killings during the encounter were widely condemned in the region with the political leadership expressing their condolences to the families of the slain soldiers.

“My deepest condolences to the families of those who were killed in the line of duty at Anantnag today. There is no place for such abominable acts of violence,” People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti said.

“Terrible terrible news from J&K. An army colonel, a major and a J&K Police DYSP gave the ultimate sacrifice in an encounter in Kokernag area of South Kashmir today. DySP Humayan Bhat, Major Ashish Dhonack, and Colonel Manpreet Singh laid down their lives in an encounter with terrorists. May their souls rest in peace and may their loved ones find strength at this difficult time,” National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said.