New Delhi: Chief of the Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Sunday saluted the brave personnel, who laid down their lives during the encounter in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir and said the operation highlights the determination of the security forces to safeguard the lives of people.
''The armed forces are proud of their courage as they have successfully eliminated the terrorists. We salute these brave personnel and express our deep-felt condolences for the bereaved families,'' the CDS said.
''The Commanding Officer leading from the front along with other personnel of the unit and J&K Police have laid down their lives, living up to the motto; Service Before Self,'' Gen Rawat said.
Five security force personnel, including a Colonel and a Major were killed, while two militants were gunned down in an encounter at Handwara in the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara.
Following specific information about the presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Chanjmullah in Handwara on Saturday evening.
