An Indian Army Major and three soldiers were martyred in a fierce encounter with armed infiltrators in north Kashmir’s Gurez sector on Tuesday after an infiltration bid was foiled by the Army.
Defence sources said a patrolling party of 36 Rashtriya Rifles came face-to-face with an infiltrating group of terrorists at a post near the line of Control (loC) in Govind Nallah area of Gurez.
The Gurez sector is not largely used by terrorists to infiltrate due to heavy presence of the Army and effective fencing in the region.
They said the infiltrators were challenged but they opened fire triggering an intense gunfight.
“So far four Army men, including an officer, have been killed. Two terrorists have also been gunned down,” sources said.
Bodies of slain terrorists were not retrieved till last reports came in, said sources, adding that there was possibility that a few members of the group might have run back to the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) after they were intercepted.
The operation was underway till last reports poured in from the area.
The martyred were identified as Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, a resident of Thane, Grenadier Vikramjeet Singh of Ambala, Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawa of Kotdwar, and Rifleman Hameer Singh, 28, of Dunda Uttarakhand.
Defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia confirmed the causalities. “Infiltration bid foiled in Gurez Sector. Two terrorists killed. In the operation, one officer and three soldiers martyred. Operation in progress,” Col Kalia said in a brief statement.
Sources said Major Rane was recently promoted to the new rank and awarded sena medal for his services. He was from Garhwal Rifles and currently attached with 36 RR.
“loss of my Regimental comrades deeply regretted. 36 RR is one of the most outstanding units with four Chief’s Unit Citations and two by Army Cdr Deployed in an area where every year one large infil bid is attempted. lord Badri Vishal will bless the souls of the brave hearts,” former military secretary and Chancellor of the Central University of Kashmir lt Gen (retd) Syed Atta Hasnain wrote in a tweet.