In a developing situation within the dense forests of Kokernag in Anantnag district, two more soldiers have sustained injuries during the ongoing encounter, as reported by NDTV. This joint operation, spearheaded by the Indian Army in collaboration with local police forces, was launched late Tuesday night with the aim of pursuing militants. The confrontation has escalated significantly since the early hours of Wednesday.
Overseeing this operation with meticulous attention are Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, the General-Officer-Commanding (GOC) of the Chinar Corps, and Major General Balbir Singh, the GOC of the Victor Force. Both commanders have unequivocally affirmed that militants involved in this encounter will be held accountable for their actions without exception.
To quell the militants, the armed forces have redoubled their anti-militancy efforts and deployed state-of-the-art weaponry and equipment. As the operation surpasses the 40-hour mark, the utilization of Heron drones, renowned for their precision and strike capabilities, has become a pivotal element of the operation.
Tragically, prior phases of this encounter claimed the lives of several officers. Among the fallen officers are Colonel Manpreet Singh (SM), who served as the Commanding Officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles Unit (19 RR), and Major Aashish Dhonchak (SM), who held the position of company commander of 19 RR. In addition to these losses, Deputy Superintendent Himanyun Muzamil Bhat tragically lost his life during the firefight.
Manoj Sinha, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, solemnly laid a wreath to honor the army officers in Srinagar. Subsequently, the remains of these officers will be transported to their respective hometowns via a designated aircraft.
It is worth noting that these officers’ bodies were recovered as a result of a specialized operation conducted in the challenging terrain of Kokernag, as confirmed by the military authorities.
The situation in Kokernag remains fluid as the joint operation persists, and further updates will be provided as developments unfold.
The Chenab Times News Desk