Know the three Bravehearts martyred in Anantnag terror attack
A pall of gloom descended on the native places of Sena Medal-awardee Col Manpreet Singh and Major Aashish Dhonchak of 19 Rashtriya Rifles and DSP Humayun Bhat who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting the nation from the terrorists in Anantnag on Wednesday.
In the initial contact with the terrorists, Army’s Colonel Manpreet Singh, CO of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, Major, Aashish Dhonchak, and Dy SP, Humayun Bhat came under heavy firing from the terrorists.
The three officers were leading the operation from the front. A rescue was immediately organized.
Helicopters were kept in readiness to shift the injured to the hospital. Inhospitable terrain and the advantage of surprise helped the terrorists.
Para commandos joined the operation to evacuate the injured officers.
The priority of the cordoning forces had suddenly shifted from the elimination of the terrorists to the evacuation of the injured officers. Braving terrorist fire and the vagaries of the mountainous terrain, the injured officers were evacuated.
While Col Manpreet Singh belongs to Mohali in Punjab, Major Dhonchak from Panipat in Haryana.
“We last spoke to him (Col Manpreet Singh) at 6.45 a.m. and later got a call at around 3 p.m. that he has been injured. He was a great man. Last year, he was awarded the Sena Medal for his duty. I salute him,” Colonel Manpreet Singh’s brother told the media.
His family, comprising mother, wife Jagmeet Grewal, and two children — a daughter, aged six, and a son, aged two, resides near New Chandigarh in Mohali district, near here.
Planning to visit the family on his birthday next month, Major Dhonchak joined the Indian Army in 2013 and was the lone brother of three sisters. He’s survived by his wife and three-year-old daughter.
As the news of his death spread, villagers and neighbours rushed to his house in Sector 7.
His father along with the family had shifted to a rented accommodation after he retired. Major Dhonchak’s grandfather told the media that he was an intelligent man and sacrificed his life for the country.
“Everyone in the village will wait for the arrival of his mortal remains,” he said with teary eyes.
Col Manpreet Singh’s wife Jagmeet is an economics teacher with the Haryana government. Col Manpreet Singh was leading his troops from the front when he received critical gunshot wounds.
“Punjab Police salutes our martyr Col. Manpreet Singh & Maj. Ashish Dhonchak of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, and DSP Humayun Bhat of J&K Police who lost their lives during a fierce gunfight with terrorists in #Anantnag, #JammuKashmir,” Punjab Police said in a post on ‘X‘.
“The nation will remain indebted to them for their supreme sacrifice. Our fighters have always fought for safeguarding the unity & integrity of India, both in the Armed Forces & the Police,” it added.
DSP Humayun Bhat a 2018 batch officer of the JKPS, was married last year. His wife gave birth to a baby just 26 days ago.
Bhat’s fortitude, courage, grit, and spirit will be quoted in every police training school, college, and academy to future policemen of the country.
The tragedy could not have been greater for any family in any part of the country.
Humuyan was the sub-divisional police officer (SDPO) in Kokarnag area of Anantnag district.
He was part of the team of security officers who went to the Gadole mountain area after receiving inputs about the presence of terrorists there.
The courage, fortitude, and composure of Humayun’s father, retired IGP, Ghulam Hassan Bhat as he laid a wreath on the body of his martyred officer son, will be written with golden letters in the history of Indian police.
Fragile-bodied stood by the body of his son, in the district police lines in Srinagar without a tear in his eyes. As a piece of steel, Ghulam Hassan Bhat escorted by Javaid Mujtaba Gilani, ADGP, laid a wreath on his martyred son’s coffin wrapped in the Tricolour.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Secretary Arun Mehta, DGP Dilbag Singh, and all other senior officers of J&K Police stood solemnly behind the father waiting for their turn to pay last respects to the slain officer.
But, Ghulam Hassan Bhat hid grief and tears to set an example not many fathers can ever imagine. He was grief-stricken undoubtedly, but his spirit was high.
This father has become a living legend who will inspire generations of future officers in the country. It is the duty of the police force to stand with, to stand by, and to stand alongside this great father.
The nation will be forever indebted to the Bravehearts.
Om Shanti
[With Inputs from IANS]
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