Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the country in paying tribute to Col Ashutosh Sharma, Maj Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Police Sub-Inspector Sageer Ahmad, who were martyred in one of the deadliest counter-terrorist operations for the security forces in Kashmir since the 2019 Pulwama bombing. Singh described the deaths as ‘deeply disturbing and painful’. On Monday, Handwara saw another gunfight in which three CRPF men got killed. A month ago, five commandos belonging to an elite unit were martyred along the LoC in Keran sector during a close-quarter battle with five terrorists trying to infiltrate, who were all killed.

Leading from the front, the Colonel killed in the Handwara operation, a decorated officer, was the Commanding Officer of 21 Rashtriya Rifles. Amid the huge setback, the families of those who laid down their lives showed exceptional courage, lifting the morale of the security forces and a grateful nation. Col Sharma’s wife, young daughter, mother and brother appeared on national television, brave and bold, proud and resolute. Maj Sood’s father, a retired Brigadier, would have made him swell with pride as he spoke about his son’s ultimate sacrifice. Calm and composed in this hour of tragedy that would alter their lives forever, they deserve a salute for their fortitude.

The increasing number of casualties, including that of a senior officer, is a matter of concern, but no one can internalise the enormity of the loss better than the security forces themselves. Battle-hardened and familiar with the inevitability of operations not panning out as planned, despite a series of successes, the units are sure to rebound. The spate of encounters in the recent past points to a determined effort to crush any attempt to revive terror activity, which saw a notable dip following the lockdown post abrogation of Article 370 in August last year. The Handwara encounter has come as a massive blow, but the heroism displayed by the five men and their families has been exemplary.

Courtesy: The Tribune: 5th May, 2020