JAMMU: A day after 54-year-old CRPF inspector Kuldeep Kumar was killed in a terror attack in a remote forest in J&K’s Udhampur district, the paramilitary force Tuesday paid tributes to the slain officer even as a cordon-and-search operation in the forest belt of Chill, Dudu-Basantgarh area to track down the terrorists — who had escaped from the site of Monday’s firefight — entered its second day.
“A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the headquarters of CRPF’s 187Bn in Battal Ballian, Udhampur, where CRPF ADGP Amrit Mohan Prasad and other senior officers of several forces paid tributes to Kuldeep Kumar,” said an official, adding that officials of district civil administration, police and the Army also paid their respects. The officer’s mortal remains were later sent to his native place in Jind, Haryana. “CRPF salutes our brave soldier’s indomitable courage, valour and devotion to the motherland. We stand with the family,” @crpfindia posted on X.
A native of Nidani village in Jind, Inspector Kumar had served in the CRPF for 34 years and was set to attend a DSP course next month. He was also a wrestler. Kumar is survived by his father Om Prakash, mother Shanti Devi, wife Lakshmi and two sons Navin and Sanjay. Navin is serving in the Army while Sanjay is in the Railway Police.
Inspector Kumar’s death has sent shockwaves through his village, where he was affectionately known as ‘Dipa’. Residents, who are unable to come to terms with the loss, remembered him as a jovial, kind-hearted person whose dedication and bravery inspired countless colleagues and friends. Kumar would actively participate in village events and sports, they said. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten. The nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of Kuldeep, a true hero who gave his life for the country,” said villager Amit Nidani.
According to officials, Inspector Kumar was fatally shot when holed-up terrorists fired at a joint patrol of CRPF and J&K police. His death takes the total number of security force fatalities in J&K to 18 since May, with 14 in Jammu region and an additional four in Kashmir. “Another day, another casualty… Unfortunately, the terrorists managed to escape from the encounter site. With so many casualties on our side, it’s time to deploy area weapons, drones, and, if necessary, the Indian Air Force to eliminate these enemies,” former J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid posted on X on Monday.
Earlier fatalities in Jammu zone included a Captain of 48 Rashtriya Rifles in Doda district on Aug 14, a soldier in Poonch on July 23, a Captain and three soldiers from 10 Rashtriya Rifles in Doda on July 15, and the five soldiers from 22 Garhwal Rifles on July 8. A CRPF constable was killed in Kathua on June 12, and Corporal Vikky Pahade died in an ambush on an IAF convoy in Poonch on May 4.
In Kashmir, two soldiers were killed in Anantnag on August 10, and two others died in separate gunfights in Kupwara on July 24 and 27.
Security has been intensified in the mountainous interior following EC’s announcement of assembly elections in J&K after a decade-long gap — in three phases from September 18 to October 1.
Dudu-Basantgarh is situated about 65km from Ramnagar town and shares its borders with Bhaderwah and Marmat in Doda district to the east, and Basoli-Billawar in Kathua district to the southeast. The region falls on a key axis connecting Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda, which has been a conduit for terrorists entering Kashmir valley. The dense vegetation in the upper reaches of these districts provides natural cover for terrorists.
The recent surge in violence in Jammu region has been attributed to “highly trained intruders” from Pakistan, who are working in small, mobile groups of three to four terrorists. Officials said terrorists have shifted their tactics from suicide attacks to a “hit-and-run” guerilla strategy, engaging in jungle warfare. This change in strategy has proved fatal for security forces in several instances. Armed with sophisticated weapons such as M4 carbines and armour-piercing bullets, these groups are also using advanced tech, including iridium satellite phones and thermal imaging devices. Their ability to coordinate attacks has become a major challenge for security forces, particularly in the region’s remote and rugged terrain.
(with inputs from Vijender Kumar in Jind)
“A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the headquarters of CRPF’s 187Bn in Battal Ballian, Udhampur, where CRPF ADGP Amrit Mohan Prasad and other senior officers of several forces paid tributes to Kuldeep Kumar,” said an official, adding that officials of district civil administration, police and the Army also paid their respects. The officer’s mortal remains were later sent to his native place in Jind, Haryana. “CRPF salutes our brave soldier’s indomitable courage, valour and devotion to the motherland. We stand with the family,” @crpfindia posted on X.
A native of Nidani village in Jind, Inspector Kumar had served in the CRPF for 34 years and was set to attend a DSP course next month. He was also a wrestler. Kumar is survived by his father Om Prakash, mother Shanti Devi, wife Lakshmi and two sons Navin and Sanjay. Navin is serving in the Army while Sanjay is in the Railway Police.
Inspector Kumar’s death has sent shockwaves through his village, where he was affectionately known as ‘Dipa’. Residents, who are unable to come to terms with the loss, remembered him as a jovial, kind-hearted person whose dedication and bravery inspired countless colleagues and friends. Kumar would actively participate in village events and sports, they said. “His sacrifice will never be forgotten. The nation salutes the bravery and sacrifice of Kuldeep, a true hero who gave his life for the country,” said villager Amit Nidani.
According to officials, Inspector Kumar was fatally shot when holed-up terrorists fired at a joint patrol of CRPF and J&K police. His death takes the total number of security force fatalities in J&K to 18 since May, with 14 in Jammu region and an additional four in Kashmir. “Another day, another casualty… Unfortunately, the terrorists managed to escape from the encounter site. With so many casualties on our side, it’s time to deploy area weapons, drones, and, if necessary, the Indian Air Force to eliminate these enemies,” former J&K DGP Shesh Paul Vaid posted on X on Monday.
Earlier fatalities in Jammu zone included a Captain of 48 Rashtriya Rifles in Doda district on Aug 14, a soldier in Poonch on July 23, a Captain and three soldiers from 10 Rashtriya Rifles in Doda on July 15, and the five soldiers from 22 Garhwal Rifles on July 8. A CRPF constable was killed in Kathua on June 12, and Corporal Vikky Pahade died in an ambush on an IAF convoy in Poonch on May 4.
In Kashmir, two soldiers were killed in Anantnag on August 10, and two others died in separate gunfights in Kupwara on July 24 and 27.
Security has been intensified in the mountainous interior following EC’s announcement of assembly elections in J&K after a decade-long gap — in three phases from September 18 to October 1.
Dudu-Basantgarh is situated about 65km from Ramnagar town and shares its borders with Bhaderwah and Marmat in Doda district to the east, and Basoli-Billawar in Kathua district to the southeast. The region falls on a key axis connecting Kathua, Udhampur, and Doda, which has been a conduit for terrorists entering Kashmir valley. The dense vegetation in the upper reaches of these districts provides natural cover for terrorists.
The recent surge in violence in Jammu region has been attributed to “highly trained intruders” from Pakistan, who are working in small, mobile groups of three to four terrorists. Officials said terrorists have shifted their tactics from suicide attacks to a “hit-and-run” guerilla strategy, engaging in jungle warfare. This change in strategy has proved fatal for security forces in several instances. Armed with sophisticated weapons such as M4 carbines and armour-piercing bullets, these groups are also using advanced tech, including iridium satellite phones and thermal imaging devices. Their ability to coordinate attacks has become a major challenge for security forces, particularly in the region’s remote and rugged terrain.
(with inputs from Vijender Kumar in Jind)