Sopore, Jan 20:
An army soldier was killed on Monday in a gunfight between the security forces and militants in Sopore village of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
Sources told that a gunfight lasting more than 20 hours ended in the Gujjarpati area of Zaloora in Sopore, with militants escaping from the encounter site.
Sources said that on Sunday, joint teams of the Army’s 22 RR, CRPF, and police cordoned off the Gujjarpati area, during which a hideout was discovered. “During the searches, the security forces’ team was fired upon, leading to an encounter. However, in the initial stage of the gunfight, a soldier was injured and was taken to a military hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries later”.
Official sources identified the martyr soldier as Pangala Kartheek.
Meanwhile, during the day-long operation, the militants managed to escape from the spot while the security forces later called off the operation in the area.
SP Sopore, Divya-D, also confirmed news agency the closure of the anti-militancy operation in the area.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha paid tributes to Swr Pangala Kartheek, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Sopore.
“I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army braveheart Swr Pangala Kartheek. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
Earlier in the day, the Army posted on X to pay tribute to the martyr soldier.
The post on X as per Kashmir Despatch reads “A Braveheart’s Sacrifice Resounds through Eternity, Igniting Courage in Generations to come.”
All Ranks of the Chinar Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Braveheart Swr Pangala Kartheek, who laid down his life in the line of duty.
Chinar Warriors salute his immense valour and sacrifice, express deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family.