Rajouri Encounter: Search Op To Find Terrorists Still On As Families Pay Last Tributes To Martyrs
According to Brigadier Patnaik, security forces safely evacuated trapped civilians, including women and children, from the scene of the encounter and paid rich tributes to the five fallen soldiers.
The Army stated on Friday that the hunt for any hidden terrorists in J&K's Rajouri woodland region was still ongoing, a day after two foreign terrorists of the outlawed LeT organisation, including the mastermind behind several assaults, were killed, news agency PTI reported. Brigadier Soumeet Patnaik, Commander of 14 Sector Rashtriya Rifles, stated that security forces safely evacuated trapped civilians, including women and children, from the scene of the encounter and paid rich tributes to the five fallen soldiers, saying "their sacrifice for the country gives us the motivation to finish off terrorism." Capt M V Pranjal, Capt Shubham Gupta, Hav Abdul Majid, and Lance Naik are five army men. Sanjay Bisht and Paratrooper Sachin Laur were killed in a shootout in the Dharmsal belt's Bajimaal jungle.
While the whole country mourns the deaths of two Indian Army officers and two jawans, the grief of the family and friends is two-fold. People have gathered in significant numbers to pay their respects to Captain Shubham Gupta, whose lifeless remains were transported to his home in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, earlier today.
#WATCH | Family and friends mourn as mortal remains of Indian Army's Capt Shubham Gupta are brought to his residence in UP's Agra
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023
Capt Shubham Gupta lost his life while fighting terrorists in J&K's Rajouri area. pic.twitter.com/FGFHT9v0Hw
Last tributes were paid to Havildar Abdul Majid, who died battling terrorists during the Rajouri encounter in Poonch, J&K.
#WATCH | Last respects paid to Havildar Abdul Majid who lost his life fighting terrorists during the Rajouri encounter, in J&K's Poonch pic.twitter.com/bP20Fwtmch
— ANI (@ANI) November 24, 2023
According to Brigadier Patnaik, Capt Pranjal, who headed a search party, came out from his security cover to aid trapped women and children leave to safety while continuing to combat the terrorists with his squad to ensure they did not escape.
Quari, a Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) commander who masterminded multiple operations, including the murder of ten civilians and five army troops, and his colleague were murdered in the two-day battle, which concluded on Thursday afternoon.
“The encounter has ended but the search of the forest area (to flush out any other hiding terrorist) is still underway,” Brig Patnaik, flanked by other army and police officers including Deputy Superintendent of Police, operations, Shammi Kumar, informed media at Rashtriya Rifles headquarters in Kalakote.
In a press conference, he stated that the operation was an example of synergy among several security services on the ground, and that "this synergy will continue for more success."
Brig Patnaik praised the death of the two foreign terrorists as a big victory for the security forces, noting that Quari was a "trained sniper and IED (Improvised Explosive Device) expert who had been trained in Pakistan and Afghanistan." He was the architect behind the murders of Dhangri (on January 1) and five security men in Kandi.
“The recovery of huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the slain terrorists indicates that they were in the area to step up terrorist activities and create fear among the local populace,” he was quoted by PTI in its report.
He stated that reliable information concerning the presence of two terrorists in Kalakote was obtained on November 19 and that all security agencies were activated as a result.
A search effort was initiated in the wooded area near several dhoks (mud homes) about 8.30 a.m. According to him, the search group commanded by Captain Pranjal came under heavy fire from the terrorists who were hiding.
According to the officer, Captain Pranjal emerged from his security cover to assist trapped women and children in fleeing to safety while continuing to combat the terrorists with his crew to guarantee they did not escape.
The remaining columns, which were also operationally ready, were launched to join Captain Pranjal, who had suffered a gunshot in the head and had given his life, he added, adding that the terrorists had moved inside the forest, taking advantage of vegetation, stones, and tough terrain.
According to the brigadier, three additional troops fatally wounded as special forces and others approached the terrorists within the jungle.
“The cordon was further tightened and throughout the night, UAVs, night-enabled cameras and other modern equipment were pressed into service to keep a close watch on the area. The next day at around 7.40 am, one of the terrorists tried to break the cordon but was engaged by paratrooper Sachin who also got injured and later succumbed,” he said.
He stated that the second terrorist was also killed at 1.30 p.m. on November 23.
“We are very proud of them (fallen soldiers). They fought well and they fought very hard, they fought for their brothers. They gave their lives for their country and it gives us the motivation to continue the operations to finish terrorism,” the officer said.
He further claimed that Lance Naik Bisht was involved in a confrontation with terrorists in Rajouri's Budhal region on November 17, which resulted in the death of one terrorist.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of J&K, Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Upendra Dwivedi, army commanders, and police officers paid floral tributes to the five troops on Friday.
The lifeless remains of the servicemen were carried from Rajouri to the Army General Hospital in Jammu, where a wreath-laying ceremony was held.
Officials said the coffins were transported from Jammu to their native areas for last ceremonies.
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