The Army held a poignant wreath-laying ceremony on Monday to honor Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a Junior Commissioned Officer who sacrificed his life during a gunfight with terrorists in Kishtwar district. Kumar, a member of the Army’s 2 Para battalion, died while leading operations against militants in the Keshwan forest area, where he and three fellow soldiers were ambushed during a search mission.
The search operation commenced after two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) were tragically killed by highly trained terrorists earlier in the week. During the encounter, which erupted at approximately 11 am on Sunday, police and Army units engaged in a fierce exchange of gunfire that lasted for over four hours. While the operation aimed to neutralize the terrorists believed to be responsible for the VDG killings, Naib Subedar Kumar sustained fatal injuries, and three of his comrades were left injured.
Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, the General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the White Knight Corps, presided over the wreath-laying ceremony held at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jammu, where Kumar’s mortal remains were received following their transport from Kishtwar. As a bugle played the Last Post, an Army contingent paid respects in a solemn display of honor for the fallen soldier, reflecting the profound loss felt within the ranks.
In a statement shared on social media platform X, the White Knight Corps commemorated Kumar’s bravery, stating, “In a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, GOC White Knight Corps laid a wreath to pay homage to braveheart Nb Sub Rakesh Kumar, who made the supreme sacrifice on 10 November in the highest traditions of Indian Army. His sacrifice would never be forgotten.” Following the ceremony, Kumar’s remains were airlifted by helicopter to his homeland in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district for final rites.
Amidst the mourning, security forces continued their search in the Kishtwar forest to track down the terrorists involved in the recent attacks. Despite rigorous efforts, reports suggest that the group of 3-4 terrorists has cleverly evaded capture, possibly benefitting from local assistance that facilitates their escape through the difficult terrain. This has raised concerns about the operational challenges faced by security forces in tackling such threats in the region, underscoring the ongoing conflict in areas grappling with militancy.
