Srinagar, Sep 14: The political leadership in Jammu & Kashmir and across the nation is furious over the killing of two army officers and DSP of J&K Police in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday.

An Indian Army Colonel commanding a Rashtriya Rifles Unit, along with a Major and the DSP of Jammu and Kashmir Police, made the supreme sacrifice in the ongoing encounter in the Kokernag area of Kashmir's Anantnag district. They were identified as Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Humayun Bhat.

Killers won’t go punished: Chugh

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tarun Chugh has expressed condolences to the bereaved and said the desperate act of terrorists will further steel the determination of security forces to defeat their designs.

Chugh paid tributes to Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish Dhonak and DSP Humayun Bhat. He said the perpetrators of the incident will not be spared. “It is a desperate act of terrorists who are feeling frustrated due to the pressure of the security forces. The sacrifice of our valiant forces personnel is unforgettable and the killers won't go unpunished,” Chugh said. 

The BJP leader said Pakistan is leaving no stone unturned to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir and is employing “malicious tactics day in and day out to inflict wounds on the people of Jammu and Kashmir”. He expressed sympathies with the members of the bereaved families.

It strengthens our resolve to wipe out terrorism and its ecosystem with all roots, Chugh said.

Isolate Pakistan: Gen VK Singh

Coming down heavily on Pakistan, Union Minister General (retd) VK Singh called on the international community to isolate the neighbouring country and step up pressure on them to act against cross-border terrorism.

Speaking to ANI on Thursday, the Union minister said normal bilateral relations with Pakistan cannot be restored unless it starts behaving itself. "We have to think (about cross-border terrorism). Unless we isolate Pakistan globally, they will think it is business as usual (to send gunmen across the border to unleash terror). If we have to bring them under pressure, we have to impress on the international community to isolate them. They need to be told that normal ties cannot be restored unless they start behaving themselves," the former Army chief added.

Farooq Abdullah visits martyred DSP’s residence

Jammu and Kashmir National Conference President and Member Parliament Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday visited the residence of the slain DSP of J&K Police Humayun Bhat in Srinagar. Joined by party functionaries, he offered fatiha for the slain police cop on the occasion and expressed profound sympathies and condolences to the bereaved household.

Party Provincial President Nasir Aslam Wani and senior leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan accompanied him on the condolence visit.

Cowardly act by terrorists: Azad

Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP) chairman Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly condemned the killing of three senior security officers and termed it as a cowardly act by terrorists.

“The killing of 3 senior officers in a cowardly attack by terrorists deserves strong condemnation. The officers paid with their precious lives in the line of duty,” he said.

Expressing concern over the growing number of encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it is the duty of the Central government to keep control over the deteriorating security situation of J&K. “The terrorism is not confined to Kashmir only now. It has expanded to Jammu region where encounters alongside the border districts like Rajouri, Poonch also happen frequently now,” he said.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the senior leadership of the party visited the residence of the slain DSP and prayed for the departed soul.

Mir seeks exemplary punishment for terrorists, their handlers

Congress Working Committee (CWC) Member Ghulam Ahmad Mir condemned the killing in the strongest words and demanded exemplary punishment for terrorists and their handlers.

Mir expressed pain and anguish over the martyrdom of Army Colonel, Major and DSP of J&K police and conveyed heartfelt condolences to the families and relatives of the martyred officers.

He condemned the incident in the strongest words and said the officers laid down their lives in the line of duty. “Their supreme sacrifices shall always be remembered. The terrorists and their handlers responsible for the martyrdom of officers should be punished sternly,” he said.

“I have no words to express my pain and anguish over the martyrdom of officers of Army and J&K Police in Kokernag encounter,” the Congress leader said. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families and prayed for their courage to bear the loss of their dear ones.

Can’t imagine pain of families: PDP

Iltija Mufti, the daughter and media advisor of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti, wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I salute the valour of the brave hearts martyred at Anantnag & cant even imagine the pain their families must feel. We all feel numb,reduced to helpless spectators as the cycle of violence continues unabated. Innocents pay for the price of a conflict that still rages through J&K.”

She also termed it heartbreaking to see a father laying a wreath over his son’s coffin. “Heartbreaking to see DSP Humayun Bhat’s father a former police officer  place a wreath over his son’s coffin. The images of him being so dignified at what must be an incredibly difficult time is heart wrenching. Allah Ta’aala inhain himmat dain. Ameen,” she said.

PC pays tribute to martyrs

A delegation from the Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference (JKPC) comprising Senior Vice President Abdul Gani Vakil, Vice President Raja Aijaz Ali, General Secretary Mohammad Ashraf Mir, and Provincial President Mohammad Khurshid Alam visited the residence of Ghulam Hassan Bhat (Retired DIG) to extend their heartfelt condolences on the tragic loss of his son, DSP Humayun Muzamil Bhat.

During their visit, the PC delegation expressed their deep sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family. They prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the family during these difficult times.

PC senior Vice President Abdul Gani Vakil said that DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat displayed exceptional courage and dedication while serving in the line of duty and that his selfless service and commitment to maintaining peace and security in the region will always be remembered.

“The loss of DySP Humayun Muzamil Bhat is not just a loss for his family but a loss for the entire community. His sacrifice will serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made by our brave security personnel in their tireless efforts to protect the citizens of the country. We hope that the memory of DSP Humayun Muzamil Bhat's service and sacrifice will inspire all of us to work towards a violence-free Jammu and Kashmir,” Vakil said.

Terrorists must be brought to justice: Apni Party

A delegation comprising several prominent leaders of the Apni Party visited the residence of DSP Muhammad Hamayun Muzammil Bhat, who along with Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonack, laid down his life while fighting terrorists in the Kokernag area of South Kashmir's Anantnag district on Wednesday.

According to a press release issued here, Ghulam Hassan Mir led a party delegation to the residence of the martyred DSP Muhammad Hamayun Muzammil Bhat in Humhama, Budgam, to express solidarity with the grieving family. Earlier, in the morning, senior party leaders including Zaffar Iqbal Manhas, Rafi Ahmad Mir, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Junaid Azim Mattu, Farooq Andrabi, and others, also paid a condolence visit to the bereaved family.

“The leaders met with Ghulam Hassan Bhat, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the father of the late martyr Hamayun Muzammil Bhat and other family members, and extended their deepest condolences,” the party said.

On the occasion, Mir strongly condemned the terrorist act that resulted in the martyrdom of three brave officers in Kokernag. He said, “Terrorism has cast a dark shadow over the people of Jammu and Kashmir for over three decades. The residents of J&K have borne the heavy burden of senseless violence for far too long, and it is no longer tenable for the people of this region to endure such brutal activities.”

He added, “The terrorists responsible for the tragic deaths of Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Ashish, and DSP Hamayun Muzammil Bhat must be swiftly brought to justice to send out a resounding message to terrorists and their masters that such heinous acts will not be tolerated any longer.”