Handwara terror attack: Here is what you should know about the anti-terror operation in J&K

Team Udayavani, May 4, 2020, 2:28 PM IST

India lost five brave hearts in the Handwara anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir. A colonel, a major and three other security forces personnel were killed in an encounter with terrorists in north Kashmir.

Sources claim that a few terrorists infiltrated across the LoC and reached the traditional reception areas in the Rajwar forest adjoining Handwara. The information available with the army indicated that a group of terrorists had entered the house and had taken the civilians hostage.

The encounter had started around 3.30 pm when a joint team of the Rashtriya Rifles and Kashmir police surrounded the house a short distance from Kupwara’s Handwara town.

Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, the commanding officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles, and the joint security team waited for an hour after the last bullet was fired by the terrorists and then he decided to go in.

It is said that the two terrorists, who were eliminated in the encounter, included commander of banned Lashker-e-Taiba Haider, a Pakistani national who has been active in the north Kashmir area.

The team came under heavy fire after rescuing the civilians and all communication link with Col Sharma and his team were snapped. Calls made on the mobile numbers of the team were answered by terrorists.

The encounter in Handwara in Kupwara district claimed the lives of Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh and Lance Naik Dinesh, all from the Brigade of the Guards regiment

This unit is one of the most experienced units in the Kashmir valley and has some of the highest achievements. It has battled hardcore foreign terrorists, especially Pakistanis.

Condoling the death of the brave hearts, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a tweet said that “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,”

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.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 3, 2020