SRINAGAR: The Army on Wednesday paid rich tribute to five soldiers, who were martyred in an encounter which ensued after alert troops foiled an infiltration bid from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in Keran sector in north Kashmir district of Kupwara on Sunday.
Five heavily-armed infiltrators were also killed in the gunfight.
An Army official said that Subedar Sanjeev Kumar, Havildar Davendra Singh, Paratrooper Bal Krishan, Paratrooper Amit Kumar and Paratrooper Chhatrapal Singh, who attained martyrdom on Sunday in the gunfight at LoC in Keran sector, were on Wednesday paid a befitting tribute by the Army in a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment.
”General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 15 Corps (Chinar Corps), Lt Gen BS Raju and all ranks paid homage to the soldiers on behalf of a proud nation,” he said, adding representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs.
Lt Gen BS Raju paid tribute to the soldiers, saying the sacrifice they have made is in the true spirit and highest tradition of Indian Army.
The Army official said that the mortal remains of the martyrs would be flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours.
A defence ministry spokesperson said that four soldiers under the command of a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) from one of the most professional Para SF Units were heli-dropped near the LoC after information on the infiltrators was received,” adding an intense hand-to-hand battle ensued and all five militants were killed.
However, he said in this battle Army lost five of its best soldiers, three on the site and two more succumbed while they were airlifted to a nearby military hospital. ”The IA Special Forces squad was led by Subedar Sanjeev Kumar and included Havildar Davendra Singh, Paratrooper Bal Krishan, Paratrooper Amit Kumar and Paratrooper Chhatrapal Singh,” he said. (AGENCIES)
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