Attain martyrdom after neutralising 3 JeM terrorists in Kulgam gunfight

A Deputy Superintendent of J&K Police, heading counter terrorism wing in Kulgam, and one Army jawan attained martyrdom after neutralising three Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists in a fierce gunfight in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Sunday. According to police, a 2011 batch officer Aman Thakur was leading from the front when he received bullet injury in his head and later succumbed during encounter in Turigam Yaripora area of Kulgam.

Police said, “The police officer was heading the counter-terrorism wing of Jammu & Kashmir Police in Kulgam for last one-and-a-half year and had played an instrumental role in killing terrorists in the area”.

Jammu & Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh, along with senior officers, offered floral tributes to the martyr. He is survived by his wife Sarla Devi and six-year-old son Arya. Large number of local residents and senior State Government officials visited his home to pay condolences.

MoD spokesman in Srinagar said, “Three terrorists were killed and one Army jawan also sacrificed his life in the operation, which is still going on”. An Army Major and two soldiers were also injured in the encounter, officials said, adding that a non-commissioned officer, Havaldar Sombir, succumbed to his injuries subsequently. The other injured persons, including the Major, are out of danger.

Three terrorists were also killed in the encounter. DGP Singh said, “It is an unfortunate incident, in which we have lost a brave officer. He was a fighter and he led Sunday’s operation himself.”

Thakur was posted as the DSP (operation) in Kulgam, a terrorist-infested area of south Kashmir, two years ago.

He was awarded the DGP’s Commendation Medal and Certificate for his exemplary service only last month.

Meanwhile, a large number of local residents in the area stepped out of their homes and tried to disrupt the anti-militancy operations. Policemen used tear smoke shells to disperse protesters.

The Army’s Rashtriya Rifles, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the State police started a cordon and search operation in Turigam after being tipped off about the presence of ultras there.

“As the security forces tightened the cordon, terrorists fired at them, triggering fierce gunfight,” an officer said. Meanwhile, Pakistan army on Sunday violated ceasefire agreement, fifth day in a row, along the Line of Control in Nowshera area of Rajouri.

Defence PRO in Jammu said, “Pakistan army initiated ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violation around 5.15 pm by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along LoC in Nowshera Sector.” Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, he added.

Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over the death of senior police officer in this gunfight.