Three officials killed in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag

Three officials including a colonel and major of the Indian army's Rashtriya Rifles unit, and a Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed during an encounter with terrorists in the Anantnag area of Jammu and Kashmir. The incident took place while they were fighting with the terrorists. The officials have been identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and Deputy Superintendent of Police Himanyun Muzamil Bhat. Two terrorists have also lost their lives in the crossfire. 

The body of a police officer was recovered amid heavy fire from terrorists in the deep jungles of Anantnag's Kokernag district. Among the senior officials who arrived at the site of the encounter to supervise the operation and evacuation of bodies were Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai, commander of Corps 15, director general of J&K Police Dilbag Singh. Cheetah choppers were deployed for surveillance and evacuation operations.

As informed by the forces, on late Tuesday night, the army and police conducted a coordinated operation after receiving precise information about the presence of terrorists. The troops, led by a commanding officer and a deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir police, faced heavy fire from the terrorists. Three officers were seriously injured, and despite the quick dispatch of reinforcements, the injured could not be evacuated promptly due to intense firing from the terrorists who were believed to be firmly entrenched. This marks the second encounter in the last 24 hours. Authorities had earlier reported that one army man was killed in action and three security forces personnel were injured after a tough battle with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.