Srinagar, May 3: Bipin Rawat, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) on Sunday lauded the determination and valour of the Armed personnel who lost their lives in the Handwara enounter. Rawat said the operations in Handwara highlights the determination of the security forces to safeguard the lives of the people. The CDS added saying that 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'.

General Rawat added saying that the armed forces are proud of the courage shown by the Army personnel as they have successfully eliminated the terrorists. "We salute these brave personnel and express our deepfelt condolences for the bereaved families", Rawat said.

Take a Look at the Tweets:

On Sunday, four Indian Army personnel including the Commanding Officer, Major of 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit along with 2 soldiers and one Jammu and Kashmir Police jawan lost their lives in an encounter in Handwara in Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army in its statement said that the name of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles Commanding Officer, who lost his life in the Handwara operation, is Colonel Ashutosh Sharma. He had been part of several successful counter-terrorism operations in the past. Two terrorists were also neutralised in the encounter

According to details by an Army spokesperson, the team of 21 Rashtriya Rifles had entered the house of a civilian to prevent a hostage situation when they came under attack from the terrorists who had already reached there. While the four Army personnel and the police Sub Inspector lost their lives in the encounter, the civilians trapped in the house were safely evacuated.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 03, 2020 01:03 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).