Kokernag: The mortal remains of Major Ashish Dhonchak who was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, reached Haryana’s Panipat where the last rites shall be conducted today. The mortal remains of Colonel Manpreet Singh who was also killed in the gunfight shall reach his home in Mullanpur in Mohali district shortly.

Earlier on September 14, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and paid homage to Col Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak, the two who made supreme sacrifice in an operation against the terrorists in Anantnag.

“My deepest condolences to their families. The grateful nation will forever remain indebted to the brave hearts”, the lt. Governor said.

On September 13, Jammu and Kashmir Police encircled two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists in the higher reaches of the Anantnag district of south Kashmir. The army operation continued for two days with helicopters hovering over the Gadole forests as army and police personnel maintained a tight cordon around the area. An army colonel, a major, and a deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir police were killed in the gunfight in the Kokernag area.

While a jawan also died in the encounter, the officers succumbed to injuries during treatment. The last rites of soldiers will be perfomed today with full military honours including a wreath-laying ceremony and a gun salute.