Wreath-laying ceremonies were held in Srinagar and Kupwara for the policemen and soldiers died in a two-day long gunfight with militants in north Kashmir.Defense spokesperson in a statement issued here said that the Army today paid a befitting tribute to three of its comrades who lost his life during the operation in Kupwara in which five militants were killed.“In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen AK Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, paid homage to the soldiers who lost their lives on behalf of a proud nation. In a show of solidarity, representatives from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs,” the spokesman said.Late Havaldar Jorabar Singh, Nk Ranjeet Khalkho and Nk Mohd Ashraf Rather sustained bullet injuries in Chack Fatheh Khan Forest in Halmatpora of Kupwara district. They were provided immediate first aid and evacuated to hospital but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries, the spokesman said.Jorabar Singh, 45 years of age, had joined Army in 1993 and hailed from Village Rait in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his wife and three children, he said.Coming from Village Dudhakhuti in Ranchi, Jharkhand, the slain Nk Ranjeet Khalkho was 33 years old and had joined Army in 2001. He is survived by his parents, a brother and three sisters, he said.Nk Mohd Ashraf Rather was 35 years in age and had joined the Army in 2004. He belonged to Village Reshigund of Kralpora in Jammu and Kashmir and is survived by his wife and a daughter, he said.
“The mortal remains of the soldiers were flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours. In this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyrs and remains committed to their dignity and well being,” the spokesman said.Meanwhile, a police spokesman in a statement here said that floral tributes paid to two brave hearts, SgCT Deepak Thusoo of Nagrota Jammu and SPO Mohammad Yousuf of Kachhama, who laid down their lives in the line of duty and achieved martyrdom in Kupwara.“Member Parliament Shri Fayaz Ahmad Mir led the police and security force officers in paying tributes to the martyrs. Among others who paid tributes were SSP Kupwara Shri Shamsher Husain, DySsP and other officers,” the spokesman said.Today morning, Inspector General of Police Shri S.P Pani led the Police and Security forces officers in a wreath-laying ceremony on the mortal remains of martyr SgCT Deepak Thusoo at District Police Lines Srinagar, the spokesman said.IG CRPF Zulfkar Hassan, DIG CKR V.K Birdi, DIG SSB R K Bhumal, DIG CRPF, SSP Srinagar Imtiyaz Ismail, Addl SP Srinagar and other officers of Police and Security forces and Jawans were also present on the occasion and paid homage to the slain, the spokesman said.“Deepak Thusoo is survived by aged parents, wife, minor children with a 12 years old son and about 07 years old daughter and an unmarried sister. Mohammad Yousuf is survived by aged parents, three sons and two minor daughters, the youngest being 05 years old,” the spokesman said.Jammu and Kashmir police stand with the families of these martyrs in this crucial time and as a family, we pay our rich tributes to the slain, the spokesman added. (GNS)