Amidst Covid-19 Lockdown, five security personnel, including a Colonel, a Major and a sub-inspector, and two unidentified militants were killed during an 18-hour anti-militancy operation in north Kashmir’s Handwara area.
Superstar Mohanlal and Mahesh Babu just took to their respective social media profiles and paid a tribute to Martyrs of Handwara attack.
Actor Mahesh Babu wrote, “The Handwara attack – A dark time for our nation. Our soldiers’ courage and determination to safeguard our nation remains unparalleled. I stand in silence to honour our soldiers who died on duty fighting for us. Heartfelt condolences to all their grieving family and loved ones. Sending them love & strength in this time of grief…Jai Hind”
The Handwara attack – A dark time for our nation. Our soldiers' courage and determination to safeguard our nation remains unparalleled. I stand in silence to honour our soldiers who died on duty fighting for us.
— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) May 4, 2020
Actor Mohanlal wrote, “Tributes to our courageous soldier’s, my heartfelt Condolences to their families”
Tributes to our courageous soldier's, My heartfelt Condolences to their families pic.twitter.com/osc372093G
— Mohanlal (@Mohanlal) May 4, 2020
The deceased senior Army officers were identified as Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj Sood and Naik Rajesh and Dinesh, besides sub-Inspector Mohammad Sagier Qazi of J&K Police’s Special Operation Group (SOG).
Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, a twice decorated commanding officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit – a specialized anti-terror unit located in North Kashmir – and his team was apparently hit in the first volley of fire from inside the house. While a soldier accompanying Col Sharma managed to escape with gunshot wounds, the remaining five were killed in the firing.
The team of Army and JK Police entered the targeted area and successfully extricated the civilians. However, during the process, the team was subjected to heavy volume of fire by the terrorists.