SRINAGAR: Army today paid rich tributes to two soldiers who were martyred in an encounter which ensued when troops foiled an infiltration bid from across the border in Nowgam sector in the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara.
Two militants were also killed in the gunfight yesterday. Defence Ministry spokesperson Colonel N N Joshi here said Army paid befitting tributes to Sep Babaloo Singh and Sep Vishal Chaudhary in a solemn wreath laying ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar.
He said Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks paid homage to the national heroes on behalf of a proud nation.
“They were both cross country runners par excellence – and knew exactly what to do with those who attempted to cross into their country treacherously.
Highly motivated, skilled marksmen, Sep Singh and Sep Chaudhary were part of the Army’s Quick Reaction Team that had intercepted and eliminated two infiltrating militants in Nowgam Sector yesterday, he said.
Col Joshi said unfortunately they were both grievously injured in the ensuing fire fight and later succumbed to their injuries.
“29-year-old Sep Singh, had joined the Army at a tender age of 18 years and in these 11 years of his service, had earned a reputation amongst his comrades of being a daredevil having been part of a number of operations against militants in his parent unit as also during his previous tenure with the Rashtriya Rifles,” the Defence spokesperson asserted.
“He was a keen sportsman too and was part of his units wrestling team. The departed soldier, hailing from Mathura, UP is survived by his wife Ravita Devi and two children, 6-year-old son and 5-year-old daughter,” he said.
Col Joshi said Sep Chaudhary, 30 years, too had joined the Army young in 2004 and was again an experienced soldier in Counter Militant Operations having served in an RR unit earlier.
“An ace shooter, he had been part of his unit’s firing team. The martyr belonged to Bulandshaher, UP and is survived by his wife Madhu Singh and triplets that they were blessed with in 2010 – two daughters and a son,” Col Joshi said.
He said the mortal remains of the martyrs will be flown for last rites to their native places where they will be laid to rest with full military honours. (AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel