 S Tahir-ul Haq
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Apr 6: Army paid rich tributes to five soldiers who lost their lives in an encounter with militants in Keran sector near Line of Control in Kupwara district on Sunday. Five militants, who were trying to infiltrate into this side were also killed in the firefight. Indian Army salutes the brave hearts killed in action and shall continue to protect its borders from inimical forces at all costs at all times, Army said in a statement.
"After four days of pursuing, all the 5 militants were neutralized while in the gunfight soldiers too suffered injuries. Among the injured soldiers 5 succumbed to their injuries," the statement said.
The slain soldiers were identified as Subedar Sanjeev Kumar No. JC413798Y of Himachal Pradesh, Haveldar Davendra Singh No. 13625231Y of Utarakhand, Para trooper Bal krishan No. 13633013P of Himachal Pradesh, Para Trooper Amit Kumar No. 4093303X of Utarakhand and Chhatrapal Singh No. 1487156H of Rajasthan.
A top rank army official said that Indian Army launched a daring operation at the Line of Control and engaged Pak supported infiltrators in a Close Quarter Battle in heavy snow, neutralizing the entire infiltrating batch of five.
Four soldiers under the command of a Junior Commissioned Officer from one of the most professional Para SF Units were dropped by helicopter near the Line of Control (LoC) after information on the infiltrators was received. An intense hand to hand battle ensued and all five terrorists were eliminated, said army official.
He said that, in this battle, however, Army lost five of its best soldiers, three on the site and two more succumbed while they were airlifted to a nearby military hospital.
The IA Special Forces squad was led by Subedar Sanjeev Kumar and included Havildar Davendra Singh, Paratrooper Bal Krishan, Paratrooper Amit Kumar and Paratrooper Chhatrapal Singh.
Pertinently, the operation against the militants in Keran area of Kupwara district was launched on April 2, after which the operation was in progress till April 5, in which five militants and equal numbers of army men were killed.
Meanwhile recovered ammunitions, Trts Dead Body- 05, AK 47 Rifles - 05, Hand Grenade - 06, GPS Garmin - 01, Icom Set- 01, Ultra Set - 04, UBGL Grenade- 06, Mobile Phone- 02, Watch- 01, Bluetooth Head Set- 01, Charger- 01, Uni Coat Key Set- 04 and Aadhaar Card- 02. |
