Colonel, Major among 5 security personnel martyred in encounter in Kashmir

2 terrorists killed

The Government should realise that irrespective of any number of killed in Kashmir, it is essential to destroy the terrorists’ factory, that is, Pakistan to completely eliminate the terrorism.

**Soldiers who were martyred in encounter in Kashmir**

Srinagar (J&K) – An Army Colonel and a Major were among five security personnel martyred in an encounter at a village in Handwara in north Kashmir that also saw the elimination of two terrorists, officials said on 2^nd May night.

Army officers Col Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj, and Jammu and Kashmir Police Sub-Inspector Shakeel Qazi were among the deceased, they said.

Col Sharma was leading a team to rescue civilians who had been taken hostage by the terrorists hiding in a house at the Chanjmullah area of Handwara in frontier Kupwara District of north Kashmir on Saturday, the officials said.

As the hostages were being rescued, the team, which also consisted of a Lance Naik and a Rifleman, came under heavy fire which was effectively retaliated by the security personnel in the outer cordon, they said. In the early hours of Sunday, a major offensive was launched by the security forces as there had been no contact with the Colonel or his team, the officials said.

Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, the CO [Commanding Officer], who led from the front had been decorated with Sena Medal twice earlier too, He was active in Kashmir for a long period. He is the first Colonel-ranked officer to become martyred while fighting with the terrorists in the last 5 years. Earlier, Col M.N. Roy of 42 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred in January 2015 and Colonel Santosh Mahadik, of 41 Rashtriya Rifles was martyred in November 2015.

Will not forget the martyrdom of soldiers – PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his message, “Tributes to our courageous soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the nation with utmost dedication and worked tirelessly to protect our citizens. Condolences to their families and friends”.