Army officer, awarded on R-Day, killed in Kashmir gun battle

A commanding officer of the counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles, a cop and two militants were killed and a soldier was seriously wounded in a fierce encounter in south Kashmir’s Tral area on Tuesday afternoon.

A senior police officer said troops of counter insurgency Rashtriya Rifles, paramilitary central reserve police force and police jointly surrounded a house in Handoora village in Tral on specific information about presence of militants inside. 

“As the security forces challenged the holed up militants, they opened heavy fire resulting in injuries to Colonel M M Rai, commanding officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, a cop and a soldier,” the officer said.

 “The injured were evacuated to hospital immediately were Colonel Rai and head constable Sanjeev Singh of special operations group of state police succumbed.”

He said the security forces effectively returned the fire and in the gunfight that ensued, the two holed up militants were killed. The slain militants were identified as Abid Ahmad Khan and Shiraz Ahmad Dar of Hizbul Mujaheedin outfit. 

“The operation is over and two AK-47 rifles and ammunition have been recovered from the slain militants.

However, searches in the area were still continuing. Handoora village in Tral falls in south Kashmir Pulwama district.

National Conference working president Omar Abdullah on Tuesday expressed condolences to the families of the two security personnel.

"My heartfelt condolences to the families & colleagues of Col Rai & the 2 jawans of the Army as also of Constable Singh of J&K Police martyred in the line of duty in Tral today," Omar wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.com.

"A grim reminder of the costly sacrifices militancy in J&K continues to demand of our men," he added.

A defence spokesman said in an official statement, “Based on specific intelligence about presence of terrorists in a Handura area of Tral, Kashmir, a joint operation by 42 Rashtriya Rifles Army and the SOG (Special Operations Group) of Tral led by Col M. N. Rai, Commanding Officer was launched, resulting into killing of two terrorists and the recovery of 2 AK-47 rifles, ammunition and other war like stores.”

“Colonel M N Rai and Signalman Nilesh Kumar of Army, and head constable Sanjay Kumar of SOG were injured. While being evacuated to the Army Hospital, Srinagar, Col MN Rai and HC Sanjay Kumar succumbed to their injuries and   attained martyrdom,” the statement said.

“Col MN Rai was a brave officer and had been involved in intense operations in South Kashmir for last two years. He always led from the front and undertook successful operations resulting into elimination of number of terrorists in past for which he was awarded with Yudh Sena Medal on 26 January 2015 in recognition of his exemplary service and bravery.”

“The Northern Army Commander paid rich tribute to the brave hearts for the valour and courage displayed by them in the line of duty.”

“Our heart goes out to the families and we pray the Almighty to give them strength to bear the irreparable loss with fortitude” said the general.