Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Nov 17: The commanding officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles of Army, Colonel Santosh Mahadik, was killed in a fierce gun battle in North Kashmir’s Kupwara forests while three security men were injured since last evening and Army has launched a massive operation against the militant group that is hiding in the forests.
Sources said that Army received information this afternoon about a foreign militant, part of the group against which an Army operation is on for last 5 days, had come to Manigah village for having lunch. Army’s 41 RR led by its Commanding Officer Colonel Santosh Mahadik launched an operation against the militant.
After seeing the Army party, sources said, the militant took position in a nullah and when Colonel Santosh reached near, he fired at him indiscriminately killing him on the spot and injuring two other jawans.
The militant fled from the village taking the advantage of the casualties as the troops evacuated the Commanding Officer and two jawans. Colonel Santosh had received several bullets and died on the spot.
The injured soldier was identified as Majloon Ahmad of TA 160 and was attached with Army’s 41 RR while as the policeman has been identified as Showkat Ahmad. The injured were evacuated to military hospital at Drugmulla in Kupwara. The Colonel was directly sent to Army’s 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar where doctors declared him as brought dead.
More troops were rushed to the area and a massive operation has been launched against the militant group that is hiding in the forests. Army also pressed choppers and sniffer dogs into service to locate the hiding militants.
Army’s 41 RR and 4-Para commandos had intercepted the group of Lashkar-e-Toiba militants last evening. The militants opened heavy fire triggering a brief encounter at Behak forest area near Sonwali village in Manigah. However, the group managed to escape while taking advantage of darkness in the area last evening. One Army jawan was injured in the gun battle last evening.
The operation against the group has been launched on Friday after Army received information about presence of at least three militants in Behak forest area of Kupwara. The Army had a brief gun battle with the militant group on Friday in which two Army personnel were injured.
On Nov 10, the Army’s 41 RR had recovered the body of a militant in Kumkadi forests of Manigah who is believed to have died due to severe cold. The militant was believed to be part of the group that had infiltrated into the forests recently from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
A Defence spokesman said here today: “Colonel Santosh Mahadik attained martyrdom while leading his troops in an fierce encounter with a group of three terrorists in Manigah Forest Area of Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir today.”
“Colonel Mahadik, the Commanding Officer of 41 Rashtriya Rifles made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of the Indian Army. The Colonel was a true soldier and had conducted many successful counter terrorist operations. Originally from the Special Forces, the officer was earlier awarded Sena Medal for exhibiting gallantry and leadership in counter terrorist operations”, the spokesman said.
The spokesman said: “Lt Gen DS Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command has expressed deep condolences on the loss of this brave Commanding Officer. We owe a deep debt of gratitude to officers like Santosh who lead from the front and are willing to pay the ultimate price in the fight against terrorism.”
Colonel Mahadik leaves behind his wife and two children, 11 and 5 years. “The Army is committed to providing all support to the family in this hour of grief”, the spokesman said.
Colonel Santosh, from Satara Maharashtra, was commanding the 41-RR for last one year and was commanding elite 2-Para commandos. His colleagues said that he was always leading from the front.
Wreath laying ceremony of the officer will be held at Badami Bagh Cantonment Srinagar tomorrow. It will be later flown to Pune where form it will be taken to Satara for last rites.
One of his class fellows from his home town of Satara in his tribute to Colonel Santosh said: “Undoubtedly. He was born for this. Right from our school days this crazy guy always spoke of supreme sacrifice. The son of a small town milkman, with absolute humble background, defying family traditions of selling milk, joined Sainik School Satara unlike his other siblings. Calm in composure, gentle in demeanor, carried a storm in his heart. Best Boxer of the school, Goal Keeper of School’s State Champion football team and maniac like runner, always had a smile on his face when he worked out hard in gym. More he sweated, wider was the beam.”
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