Srinagar: Three security force officers including an Army Colonel were killed in a gunfight with terrorists in the Kokernag area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday. According to reports, Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat were critically injured in the gunfight and died later. Bhat died due to heavy blood loss, the officials added.

The operation against the terrorists began on Tuesday evening in the Gadole area but was called off during the night. This morning, the hunt for the terrorists resumed after information started trickling that they were spotted at a hideout, the officials said.

Colonel Singh, leading his team from the front, attacked the terrorists. However, the terrorists fired upon him and he was critically injured. According to officials, Colonel Singh was commanding the 19 RR unit of the Indian Army.

The Jammu and Kashmir Police earlier posted on social media platform X, “An encounter has started in Kokernag area of Anantnag. Officers from the Army and JKP (Jammu and Kashmir Police) were injured. Details shall follow.”

#Encounter has started in #Kokernag area of #Anantnag. Officers from Army and JKP injured. Details shall follow.@JmuKmrPolice

— Kashmir Zone Police (@KashmirPolice) September 13, 2023

Meanwhile, one more terrorist was gunned down on Wednesday in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district in the ongoing exchange firefight between the security forces and terrorists that began a day ago.

“Second terrorist has been gunned down in the ongoing encounter in Narla area of Rajouri,” Mukesh Singh, Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), Jammu said.

Earlier, on Tuesday, a top police official said one terrorist was gunned down while a soldier also lost his life in the encounter, which broke out in the Narla area. Three security personnel, including a Special Police Officer (SPO), also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.

“One terrorist neutralised; One Army jawan lost his life, three others including one police SPO injured in the ensuing encounter in Rajouri district,” Mukesh Singh, additional director general of police (ADGP), Jammu said in a statement on Tuesday.

A six-year-old dog (female labrador) from the Army’s canine unit also laid down her life shielding her handler during the encounter.