2023 Anantnag encounter

Encounter in Jammu and Kashmir

2023 Anantnag Encounter

Part of Insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir
| Date| 13 September 2023 – 19 September 2023 (6 days)[1]

|

Location|

Kokernag, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir

Result|

* One TRF militant Uzair Khan killed[1]
* Deaths of 5 Indian security personnel, including a colonel, major and a deputy superintendent of police[2][3]
* Continuation of search and cordon operations inside Anantnag

Belligerents

India

* Indian Army
* Jammu and Kashmir Police

|  The Resistance Front
Commanders and leaders

* Indian Army
* Rajiv Ghai (GoC, 15 Corps)
* Major Aashish Dhonchak †
* Colonel Manpreet Singh †
* J&K Police:
* Dilbag Singh (DGP J&K Police)
* Vijay Kumar (ADGP Kashmir)
* DSP Humayun Bhat (SDPO Kokernag) †
* Many senior officials from the Indian Army and J&K Police.[a]

* Uzair Khan †
* Another unnamed militant †

Strength
10,000|  2 – 3 (Indian claim)
Casualties and losses

* 5 killed (Indian claim)
* 20 killed (TRF claim)

1 killed (TRF claim)

2 killed (Indian claim)

On 13 September 2023, a confrontation erupted between Indian security forces and Kashmiri separatist militants in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, India.[5]

## Events

[edit]

The week-long encounter in the Gadol forests in Anantnag district ended on 19 September, where The Resistance Front commander Uzair Khan was killed along with at least two senior Indian Army officers and a J&K Police officer.[1][6] After losing 4 security forces personnel on the first day, Indian security forces were finally able to clear the militant hideout on the 7th day of the operation, as the dense jungles and rough terrain of the area provided cover for the militants.[7]

This Anantnag encounter began when a joint operation was undertaken by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police in the early hours of Sep 13, 2023, following inputs about a militant hideout, but the militants appeared to have anticipated the action and opened fire on the security forces.[3] An Indian colonel, major, and the local deputy superintendent of police were killed.[8]

Militant group The Resistance Front claimed responsibility for the encounter.[9][10] The Resistance Front emerged in 2019, following the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. This group is notorious for its participation in various acts of terrorism within the region and has presented a significant challenge to security forces operating in the area.[11][9] The banned Resistance Front is believed to be a shadow group of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba.[8]

The operation involved the deployment of drone surveillance and the initiation of search operations aimed at capturing the militants involved.[12] A missing soldier, Sepoy Pradeep Singh,[13] and another militant were also found dead on the last day of the operation.[7]

## Background

[edit]

The encounter commenced when security forces initiated a counter-terrorism operation in the Gadol area of Kokernag Tehsil within Anantnag district, targeting the location where militants were believed to be hiding.[14] The operation was initiated on the evening of 12 September 2023 but was temporarily halted during the night. It was then resumed on 13 September following the receipt of information indicating that they had been spotted at a hideout.[15] The Indian military reported that they cordoned off an area where the two TRF militants were believed to be located. One of them was identified as TRF commander Uzair Khan.[16][17]

## Casualties

[edit]

The casualties resulting from the encounter included Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, a native of Mohali, Punjab,[18] Major Aashish Dhonchak from Panipat, Haryana,[19] and a Deputy Superintendent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, Humayun Bhat, of Budgam, Kashmir.[20][21]

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Senior officers including GOC 15 Corps Rajiv Ghai, DGP Dilbagh Singh, and ADGP Kashmir Vijay Kumar, along with other top officials, were present at the encounter site.[4]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "Week-long Anantnag encounter ends, Lashkar commander's body recovered: J-K Police". hindustantimes.com. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
2. ^ "Anantnag encounter: Four dead, security forces' anti-terrorist operation continues".
3. ^ a b "India: Army Colonel, Major, DSP of J&K Police killed in Anantnag gunfight". WION. 14 September 2023.
4. ^ "Top Security Brass At Kokernag Encounter Site". Kashmir Observer. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
5. ^ "2 Army officers, DSP killed in ongoing gunfight with terrorists in J-K's Anantnag". The Tribune (India). 12 September 2023. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
6. ^ "Anantnag gunfight over after 7 days, LeT commander Uzair Khan among two terrorists killed". economictimes. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
7. ^ a b "Anantnag encounter ends after 7 days". economictimes. 19 September 2023. Retrieved 19 September 2023.
8. ^ a b "Army colonel, major, and deputy superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police killed in a gunfight". Times of India. 13 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
9. ^ a b "What is the Resistance Front, responsible for killing of 3 security officers in J&K's Anantnag?". 14 September 2023.
10. ^ "The Resistance Front (TRF): Major Challenge for Kashmir Security Post Article 370, Behind Anantnag Gunfight". Times Now. 14 September 2023.
11. ^ "Positioning The Resistance Front (TRF) in Kashmir's militancy landscape". Observer Research Foundation.
12. ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (14 September 2023). "Anantnag operation resumes, two LeT militants encircled: police". The Hindu.
13. ^ "Anantnag encounter: Soldier who went missing during operations found dead - The Week". www.theweek.in. Retrieved 15 September 2023.
14. ^ "Fresh Firing in Anantnag Day, After 3 Security Officers Killed. Farooq Abdullah Targets Centre". ABP News. 14 September 2023.
15. ^ Ashiq, Peerzada (13 September 2023). "Two Army officers, one J&K Police DSP killed in Anantnag encounter". The Hindu.
16. ^ "'Avenged leader's killing in POK': Terror group after 2 Army officers, cop killed in Anantnag". India Today. 14 September 2023.
17. ^ "Anantnag Encounter: Lashkar Terrorist Uzair Khan, Associates Trapped; Firing Underway | Details". Hindustan Times. 14 September 2023.
18. ^ "Anantnag encounter: Colonel Manpreet Singh's son, dressed in camouflage, salutes father at last rites as nation mourns". Hindustan Times. 18 September 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
19. ^ "Anantnag martyr Major Ashish Dhonchak cremated with full military honours at his village Binjhol in Panipat". The Tribune. 17 September 2023. Retrieved 17 September 2023.
20. ^ "Anantnag encounter: Four dead, security forces' anti-terrorist operation continues". Onmanorama.
21. ^ "India: Army Colonel, Major, DSP of J&K Police killed in Anantnag gunfight". WION. 14 September 2023.