Handwara Encounter: What went down?

1999 Kargil war was a fierce conflict that claimed many lives on both sides of the border but there was one thing that was made clear. If compared, India army lost more officers than Pakistan did. Though the outcome of the war was quite determinant of India's victory. 26 officers of the Indian army and 527 Jawans were killed in action. Indian army has always had a tradition of its officers leading from the front, unlike Pakistan that sends infantry or foot soldiers to combat while officers would back them up.

This fact of the tradition of leading from the front was once again reinforced and reestablished through what went down during the 'Handwara encounter'.

02 May, 2020. Army officials received input that 4-5 hardcore terrorists were present in Wadarbala-Rajwara forests in Kupwara district of Kashmir. The army subsequently decided to launch a CASO (Cordon and Search Operation) in the area. 21 Rashtriya rifles were given the task.

The Rashtriya Rifles is an elite branch of Indian Army that was raised as an counter-Insurgency force that exclusively operates in the Kashmir valley. Its the most experienced force in dealing with combat operations in the valley with numerous operations in their grab.

Commanding Officer of 21 RR, Col Ashutosh Sharma planned a joint operation with CRPF and J&K police and led a team to CASO and cordoned the area where terrorists were suspected of hiding. the CASO team comprised of Col Ashutosh Sharma as the team leader, Company Commander Maj Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Singh, and few more soldiers. In the initial search, nothing unusual turned up. After a thorough search of the area, the team decide to call off the Op and return. However on their way back, the team was tipped off by locals of a hostage situation where 2-4 terrorists had taken a family hostage and were hidden in their house nearby Chanjimulla hamlet.. Colonel and his team sprung into action and immediately reached the spot. The terrorists had laid a perfect ambush for the enemy as they were holed up in two adjacent buildings. As soon as they were challenged by Col Sharm's team, they opened indiscriminate fire. A fierce fire fight ensued. Colonel Sharma and his team was able to successfully evacuate the hostages from the house where the terrorists were hidden .

The building where terrorists were hidden had a cowshed adjoining it.

Col Sharma's team apparently decided to approach the house and use the vantage of the upper floor to fire at the terrorists in the cowshed. They entered the house and there was a fresh firefight but no communication from the Colonel and his team. Then it was noticed that their communication instrument was being used by the terrorists. That is when realisation came all was not well, and firing ensued all over again. However, one of the Jawan of the team received gun shot wounds but was able to escape the building.

The firefight died down and there was no response from inside the house from Col Sharma's Motorola for nearly 10 following hours. It was unknown but suspected that all five men who became trapped in the building were dead. It was not until the following morning that this fateful news became a reality when the bullet riddled bodies of Col Sharma, Maj Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Singh and SI Qazi (J&K Police) were found. They had managed to kill two of the terrorists before breathing their last. Out of these two terrorists, one was Haider, A top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander. Fearing local outrage, the army didn't announce this piece of information right away but the news somehow leaked out and soon the security forces came under a heavy attack from stone-pelters.

Images: For representational purpose

Some Facts about the Martyrs-

Col Ashutosh Sharma

• Colonel Ashutosh Sharma was the Commanding officer of 21 Rashtriya rifles.

• He was from brigade of guards regiment's 19 guards unit,

• According to his brother, Col Sharma had always dreamt of becoming an army officer and had finally got selected in his 13th SSB attempt.

• Col Sharma had received Sena medal for gallantry and bravery.

• Col Sharma Is The First CO Or A Colonel Rank Officer In The Last Five Years To Have Lost Life In An Encounter With A Terrorist.

• Col Ashutosh Sharma is survived by his wife Smt Pallavi Sharma and daughter Tamanna.

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Major Anuj Sood

• Major Anuj Sood was a second-generation officer and was always motivated to join the armed forces. He joined the NDA Alpha Sqn 120 course and got commissioned in Brigade Of The Guards from the Indian Military Academy IMA 130 course.

• He was the alumni of PPS Nabha. He topped all classes in PPS Nabha.

• Maj Sood preferred joining NDA over IIT when he got selected in both.

• He was the NDA torch holder for all the six terms which is a unique distinction.

• He completed his MTech while serving in the army from IISc Bangalore and topped with distinction.

• “He has made a supreme sacrifice. It was part of his duty&what he was trained for. I feel sad for his wife as he got posted 3-4 months after marriage. He was meant to save lives: “Rtd Brig Chandrakant Sood, father of late Major Anuj Sood, who lost his life in an encounter in Handwara.

• Maj Anuj Sood is survived by his father Brig Chandrakant Sood(Retd), mother Smt Suman Sood, and wife Smt Akriti Singh.

• The 30-year-old wrote this in a recent social media post to describe the “life of a soldier”.”When you are older, you will realise the only thing that matters… that you had courage and honour. Lose those things and you won’t die any quicker, but you will be less than the dirt on your boots. you will still be dust, but you will have wasted your short time in the light #lifeofasoldier”.

Col Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj knew each other since IMA days! When on battalion trip to J&K in 2011, Col Ashutosh (then Major) was the officer in charge to brief the whole trip, from then only they had kind of bond between them, fortunately, Major Anuj was commissioned into the same battalion from which Col Ashutosh belongs! An excellent student, EX-NDA(120/A), meritorious officer, JC done 2 years ago, is no more with us. Finally, both left this world in the highest tradition of army together!

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Lance Naik Dinesh Singh

• In the year 2015, he was recruited into 3 Guards Battalion of the Brigade of Guards, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours.

• After serving for few years with his parent unit, Lance Naik Dinesh Singh was deputed to serve with 21 RR Battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations

• Lance Naik Dinesh Singh is survived by his father Shri Godhan Singh Gada and mother Smt Tulsi Devi. 

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Naik Rajesh Kumar

• Naik Rajesh Kumar hailed from Rajrana village in Sardulgarh tehsil of Mansa district of Punjab.

• After completing his school education, he joined the army and was recruited into 3 Guards Battalion of the Brigade of Guards, an infantry Regiment known for its brave soldiers and numerous battle honours.

• After serving for few years with his parent unit, Naik Rajesh Kumar was deputed to serve with 21 RR Battalion, deployed in J&K for counter-insurgency operations.