Female Labrador ‘Kent’ too sacrifices life
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Sept 12: A militant was killed while an Army soldier was martyred and three other security personnel were injured in fierce exchange of gun battle at village Patrada in Narala area of Taryath, Kalakote in this district today. A six-year-old female Labrador, named Kent, also sacrificed her life in the encounter while trying to save her handler.
Additional Director General of Police, Jammu Zone, Mukesh Singh said the encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Narla village.
“One terrorist has been killed so far while an Army soldier was martyred. Three security personnel – two Army jawans and one Special Police Officer – were injured in the gunfight,” he said.
The security forces launched a search and cordon operation in the forested Patrada area this afternoon after developing input about presence of two to three militants in the village.
Army and police personnel fired a few rounds after noticing suspicious movement of two persons, the officials said.
However, they said, both the suspects managed to escape from the scene taking advantage of the darkness and thick foliage. They left behind a rucksack along with some clothes and other articles that were recovered by the search parties.
The cordon and search operation was extended to nearby areas, including Bambel and Narla, to track down the militants, the officials said, adding the search operation in the area was underway and so far one militant, who is believed to be Pakistani has been neutralized. However, his identity hasn’t been established so far.
A large quantity of arms, ammunition, eatables and some other items have been recovered from the possession of slain militant.
Body of the Army braveheart Sepoy Ravi Kumar who sacrificed his life in the operation has been shifted to hospital and will be sent to his native town with full military honours tomorrow morning. Three injured security personnel have been hospitalized and they were responding to the treatment.
The encounter comes within a week after Army, CRPF and Police eliminated a militant at Chassana in Reasi district but his associate managed to escape.
A Defence spokesperson said a brave Army dog, a six-year-old female Labrador from 21 Army Dog Unit, also lost its life in the encounter while saving its handler.
“Army dog Kent was at the forefront of ‘Operation Sujaligala’. Kent was leading a column of soldiers on the trail of the fleeing terrorists. It came down under heavy hostile fire. While shielding its handler, it laid down its life in the best traditions of the Indian Army,” he said.
The border districts of Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed several encounters this year, resulting in the killing of about 26 terrorists and 10 security personnel. Some others were killed in the hinterland.
Most of the terrorists were killed while attempting to sneak into Indian territory from across the border, according to officials.
There have been reports that more than a dozen militants were active in Rajouri, Poonch and Reasi districts and were trying to revive militancy there. However, security forces have been conducting regular operations to elimimate or apprehend them.
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