Handwara Terrorist Attack: Colonel, Major, 5 others killed in Handwara Attack
Handwara Attack: In a 12-hour counter-terrorist operation, the Indian Army lost a colonel, a major and two soldiers along with a sub-inspector on Saturday. Check out more details here.
Updated: May 04, 2020 13:06 IST
| |Handwara Attack
The Indian army lost a colonel, a major and two soldiers along with a Jammu and Kashmir Police sub-inspector during a counter-terrorist attack on Saturday in Handwara.
The Indian army stated that the 12-hour operation which happened at Handwara in Kupwara district left two terrorists killed along with 5 security personnels from India.
News agency ANI mentioned Vijay Kumar, inspector general of police, Jammu and Kashmir, as saying that a top Lashkar-e Taiba terrorist, identified as Haider, a Pakistani national, was killed in the operation.
Following intelligence inputs that terrorists had taken civilians hostage in a house in Handwara’s Changi Mulla, a joint team comprising five army personnel and a J&K Police officer reached the area and managed to rescue the civilians. The security team, however, came under heavy fire and in the ensuing firefight, all were killed, besides the two terrorists, the statement said.
The army colonel killed in the operation was the commanding officer of the Rashtriya Rifles’ 21st Battalion. The death of the officer is seen as a blow to the morale of the forces. He was awarded a mark of honour, having been recognized at least twice for bravery in counter-terrorism operations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and defence minister Rajnath Singh paid tributes to the martyrs. Singh described the deaths as “deeply disturbing and painful". “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," he said.
In a gesture of solidarity, the Indian Air Force in a Twitter post also honoured the dead personnel. “Indian Air Force pays tribute to the brave security personnel of the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police, who were martyred in action on 2 May in J&K. We Salute the bravehearts of India."