Two from Lashkar ‘encircled’ in Valley forest as security forces step up hunt

In its first statement, the Army confirmed the deaths of its two officers, and said two more soldiers were injured “in the ensuing operations”.

From left: Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and Deputy SP Himayun Muzamil Bhat

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police tweeted in the morning that it had “encircled” two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants, including a local militant identified as Uzair Khan. “In solemn tribute to the unwavering valour of Col Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and DSP Himayun Bhat, who laid down their lives leading from the front during this ongoing operation, our forces persist with unwavering resolve as they encircle 2 LeT terrorists including Uzair Khan,” it tweeted.

There was, however, no further word on the operation. As it grew dark, the operation was suspended on Thursday evening, while the security cordon was tightened, flashlights installed on escape routes, and troops deployed with night-vision devices.

In Srinagar, Ghulam Hassan Bhat, retired IG of J&K Police, bids farewell to his son Himayun, the Dy SP who was among three officers killed in a gunbattle in Kokernag. (PTI)

Defence sources in Delhi also pointed to the involvement of LeT militants. “The Lashkar-e-Toiba terrorists were apparently well-trained and controlled their fire till they could engage the senior officers,” said an official.

Meanwhile, the bodies of Colonel Manpreet Singh (41), Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, and Major Aashish Dhonchak (34) were retrieved and airlifted to Srinagar on Thursday. Deputy Superintendent of Police Himayun Muzamil Bhat was found in an injured condition on Wednesday itself. He died while he was being evacuated to Srinagar.

Giving details of the attack, sources said the security personnel had reached the edge of a cliff when they were ambushed by militants, who are suspected to have been hiding atop a ridge. As the militants opened fire, they specifically targeted the officers, said sources. Hit by bullets, the officers fell off the cliff.

On Thursday, the Army called in trained mountaineers, who rappelled down the cliff to retrieve the bodies of the officers. “Our first priority was to retrieve the bodies of the officers,” said a senior police officer, adding, “Both the bodies have been retrieved and airlifted to the 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar”.

Manjit Kaur, mother of Colonel Manpreet Singh, in Bharaunjian village of Punjab’s Mohali district on Thursday. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

In a statement, the defence spokesperson in J&K said: “… Based on further lead obtained during the search, it was ascertained that the terrorists were in a hideout in the higher reaches above the village which was covered with dense foliage and undergrowth… Search columns to the higher reaches were being led from the front by Col Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak. The columns moved through re-entrants and rugged terrain which had dense foliage.”

“On September 13, at around 1230 hours in the afternoon, troops came under heavy fire. They retaliated and engaged the terrorists. In the ensuing firefight, Col Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak and DSP Himayun suffered gunshot wounds and later succumbed, laying down their lives in service of the nation,” the statement said.

“(The) mortal remains of Col Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak were retrieved through specialised operation in the treacherous terrain… In the ensuing operations, two more personnel have been injured. The operation is under progress,” it said.

Gadole village is surrounded by thick forests on its right. It is in these forests that the joint team of Army and J&K Police personnel had launched a search operation on Tuesday evening, following intelligence inputs about militant movement in the area.

Defence sources said while the intelligence input was confirmed, it did not specifically point out the exact area. “Like most intelligence inputs, it pointed to a general area. But since it was confirmed, the officers went to the area for the operation,” said a source.

Sources said it was suspected that the militants were either tipped off about the presence of security personnel, or they sighted them from the higher reaches. “It is being ascertained whether they (militants) relocated after that, which gave them the advantage of surprise,” said sources.

On the presence of senior officers at the site, officials said when there is confirmed information about the presence of militants in an area, it is the Commanding Officer’s prerogative to decide how far he should go to control the operations. “Often it is a double-edged decision, depending on the ground situation,” an official said.