Asif Suhaf, Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Top Army, Police and Civil officers laid a wreath and paid homage to martyr Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak, who made supreme sacrifice in an operation against terrorists in Anantnag, South Kashmir.
“My deepest condolences to their families. The grateful nation will forever remain indebted to the bravehearts,” the Lt Governor said after paying Floral tributes to the martyrs at army headquarters Srinagar BB Cantt.
Commanding officer of army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Manpreet Singh, Company Commander Kokernag Major Aashish Dhonchak, and DSP SOH J&K Police Humayun Bhat had suffered gunshot wounds and later succumbed laying down their lives in service to the Nation in the finest traditions of the Indian Army and Security Forces.
Defence Spokesperson in Srinagar told News24 that “Mortal remains of Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak were retrieved through specialized operations in the treacherous terrain of Kokernag today.” He further said that “In the ensuing operations two more army personnel have been injured and the operation is still under progress.”
VIDEO | Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha pays tribute to Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonak in Srinagar. They were martyred in an encounter with terrorists in Anantnag on Wednesday (September 13, 2023).
(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/0tr7FmAFyj
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 14, 2023
Army spokesperson said, the late Colonel Manpreet Singh was forty-one years old and had joined Army in 2005, resident of Panchkula, Haryana. The braveheart is survived by his wife and two young children.
The late Major Aashish Dhonchak was thirty-four years old and had joined the Indian Army in 2013, resident of Panipat, Haryana. The braveheart is survived by his wife and a young daughter.
The Police Officer from Jammu and Police DSP Humayun Bhat cleared his Kashmir Police Services Exam in 2019. He was currently posted as SDPO Kokernag with additional charge as DySP Operation (SOG).
Humayun was married last year and has a two month old baby girl. His father Ghulam Hassan Bhat retired as the DIG of Jammu and Kashmir Police.
Sources say that before Humayun died, he had made a video call to wife and also spoke to the family while he was injured in the attack.
Humayun was working with an NGO as a project coordinator before being inducted into Jammu and Kashmir Police Services. He was laid to rest yesterday at his native area in Humhama area of Budgam in Central Kashmir.
The mortal remains of Late Colonel Manpreet Singh and Late Major Aashish Dhonchak have been transported by a special aircraft for last rites to their native hometowns where they would be laid to rest with full military honours.
