Kupwara encounter comes to an end, tributes paid to slain troops
Suspected to have crossed the LOC recently
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army on Thursday paid tributes the five security men who were killed in a gun fight with militants in the forests of north Kashmir's Kupwara district that began on Tuesday.
The operation, officials said, was wrapped up after extensive search operations on Thursday evening.
The three soldiers of the Army who lost their lives have been identified as havildar Jorabar Singh, naik Ranjeet Khalkho and naik Mohd Ashraf Rather, while the slain policemen were special police officer (SPO) Mohammad Yousuf, a native of Kachama village of Kupwara, and selection grade constable Deepak Thesoo, a resident of Nagrota in the Jammu region.
In the bloodiest encounter in Kashmir so far this year, all five militants suspected to have recently crossed the line of control were killed in the gunbattle that started in Halmatpora area of Kupwara.
“The five militants were all foreign. From the material we have at hand, it appears that they were part of Lashkar-e-taiba . It was a very difficult operation and unfolded in forest area with thick vegetation. Forces operated with maximum restraint,” said IG, Kashmir range, SP Pani.
“The mortal remains of the martyrs were flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours,” it said.