Srinagar: Two Army soldiers were killed and as many injured in an overnight gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district, in one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Valley that entered the ninth day on Saturday, officials said.
The Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, in a post on X, paid tributes to the soldiers killed in the encounter and said that the operation was still underway.
Two terrorists have been killed in the encounter that began on August 1 after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forest at Akhal in the south Kashmir district, following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists there.
The identity and the group affiliation of the slain terrorists have not been ascertained so far.
In a post on X on Saturday, the Chinar Corps said, “Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Bravehearts, L/Nk Pritpal Singh and Sep Harminder Singh, in line of duty for the Nation. Their courage and dedication will forever inspire us.”
The Army said it stands in solidarity with the bereaved families. “The operation continues,” it added.
Officials said two other soldiers were injured in the overnight firing, taking the number of injured security forces personnel to nine.
Senior police and Army officers, including the Jammu and Kashmir Police chief Nalin Prabhat, and the Army’s Northern Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma, are closely monitoring the operation round-the-clock, officials said.
Security forces have pressed drones and helicopters into service to track the terrorists down in the forest area. Para commandos were also assisting the security forces in neutralising the hiding ultras.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday paid tributes to two Army soldiers killed in an overnight gunfight with terrorists in Kulgam district, saying their grit and determination will never be forgotten.
In one of the longest anti-terror operations in the Valley that entered its ninth day on Saturday, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh were killed after security forces launched a cordon and search operation in a forest at Akhal in the south Kashmir district, officials said.
“I salute the indomitable courage of our bravehearts, Lance Naik Pritpal Singh and Sepoy Harminder Singh, who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the motherland.
“Their valour, grit and determination will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief,” Sinha said.
Chief Minister Abdullah visited the Chinar Corps headquarters at Badamibagh in Srinagar, where he laid a wreath in the honour of the martyred soldiers.
“Chief minister laid the wreath and paid rich tribute to the brave soldiers who made ultimate sacrifice at Kulgam.” Abdullah’s office said in a post on X.
