Colonel received gallantry medal yesterday, dies in encounter today

Srinagar, January 27

Two security personnel, including an Army officer, who was awarded a gallantry medal on the occasion of Republic Day, were killed in a fierce gunbattle which also left two Hizbul Mujahideen militants dead in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Colonel M M Rai, commanding officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, and a policeman were killed in the gunbattle at Mindora of

He said two militants, both locals, were also killed in the operation which left a soldier seriously injured.

Col Rai was among the gallantry medal awardees announced on the eve of Republic Day. He was awarded Yudh Seva medal for his role in a gunbattle with militants in south Kashmir last year, the spokesman said.

The encounter broke out when the police assisted by Rashtriya Rifles of the army launched an operation after getting a tip-off that a local Hizbul militant along with another accomplices had come home.

The slain militants have been identified as Adil Khan, a local resident of Mindora, and Shiraz Dar. Both were affiliated with Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, police said.

Some arms and ammunition have recovered from the scene of the encounter.

PTI