Kupwara: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was among three soldiers killed after they fell into a deep gorge in Machil sector frontier Kupwara district in northern Kashmir, army said on Wednesday.
An official told a local news gathering agency that the incident took place last evening during a regular operational task, the trio slipped into a deep gorge, when snow on the track gave way. Following the incident, he said that the massive rescue operation was launched by the army and subsequently their bodies were retrieved from the spot.
Defence spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Emran Mossavi, said three soldiers, part of a regular operational task in Machil Sector, Kupwara, slipped into a deep gorge and made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
“A routine operational task was undertaken on 10 Jan 2023 at about 5:30 PM in Machhal Sector, along a narrow winter track. While moving towards the forward post, snow along the narrow track broke, leading to slipping of one JCO and two Jawaans into a deep gorge,” he said.
He said that the search and rescue operation was immediately launched with troops from the nearest post. “In spite of adverse weather condition and rough terrain, sustained efforts of the search party led to the recovery of mortal remains of the three brave soldiers today morning between 04:15 to 04:45 AM,” he added.
“Late Nb Sub Parshotam Kumar was forty-three years old and had joined Army in 1996. He belonged to Village Majua Uttami, Post Raika, Tehsil, Bishnah, District Jammu in J&K. The braveheart is survived by his wife and two children,” he added.
“Late Hav Amrik Singh was thirty-nine years old and had joined Army in 2001. He belonged to Village Mandwara, Post Marwari, Tehsil Ghanari, District Una in Himachal Pradesh. The braveheart is survived by his wife and one son,” the PRO said.
“Late Amit Sharma was twenty-three years old and had joined Army in 2019. He belonged to Village Talasi Khurd, Post Kirwin, Tehsil Hamirpur, District Hamirpur in Himachal Pradesh. The braveheart is survived by his mother,” he said.
The PRO further said that the mortal remains of the three brave hearts will be taken for last rites to their respective native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours. “In this hour of grief, the Indian Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and remains committed to their dignity and wellbeing,” he said.
Jammu and Kashmir’s Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha in a tweet said that: “I salute the resolute courage of our brave heart army personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty in Machil Sector, Kupwara. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families of martyrs. Their sacrifice and selfless service to the nation will always be remembered.” Pertinently, in November last year, a massive snow slide hit a patrol party in Machil leading to the three casualties. (KNO)