Handwara encounter: Yogi Adityanath announces Rs 50 lakh, job for martyr Colonel Ashutosh Sharma's kin

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath paid his tributes to security personnel for their supreme sacrifice while fighting and eliminating terrorists at Handwara in north Kashmir on May 2.

"Salute to the valor and martyrdom of the brave sons of India who sacrificed their lives while protecting the nation in Handwara of Jammu and Kashmir. This supreme sacrifice is unforgettable. The country is proud of you," CM Yogi tweeted.

The Chief Minister Office (CMO) in a tweet on Monday (Many 4) informed that CM Adityanath has announced financial support of Rs 50 lakh to the family of fallen soldier, Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, resident of village Parwana of Bulandshahr and a government job to 1 family members. "A 'Gaurav Diwar' will also be constructed in his native village in memory of Colonel Ashutosh," CMO tweeted.

CM ____ @myogiadityanath __ __ _____ ______, _____ ______, ____ _________ __ ______ ____ _____ ______ _____ __ ______ __ _50 ___ __ ______ _____ ____ ___ 01 _____ __ ______ _____ ____ __ _____ __ ___ _____ ______ __ ______ ___ ____ _____ ____ ___ '____ _____' __ _______ __ _____ — CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 3, 2020

___________ ____ @myogiadityanath __ __ _____-______ __ ________ ___ ___________ __ _______ ___ 21 _________ _______ __ ____ _____ ______ _____, ____ ____ ___, ____ _____, ________ _____ ___ _____-______ _____ __ ____ __-__________ __ _____ __ ___ ____ ___ ___________ __ ___

— CM Office, GoUP (@CMOfficeUP) May 3, 2020

Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, the commanding officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit (Brigade of the Guards), who laid down his life during a firefight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Handwara on Saturday (May 2), was a decorated army officer. He was twice awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry for exemplary bravery in counter-terrorist missions in the past.

He is also the first Commanding Officer or a Colonel-rank Army person in the last five years to have lost his life in an encounter with terrorists. Colonel MN Rai of 42 RR lost his life in an anti-terror operation over five years ago in January 2015 in Pulwama district. Colonel Santosh Mahadik of 41 RR lost his life in November 2015 in Kupwara.

He is survived by his wife and 12-year-old daughter

Colonel Ashutosh Sharma belonged to the Brigade of the Guards Regiment and had been serving in the Kashmir valley for a long time. He had received his gallantry award as a commanding officer when a terrorist came rushing towards his personnel on a road with a grenade hidden inside his clothes.

Sharma shot him at a close range which helped in saving the lives of many of his troops along with Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel, an Army officials told ANI.

On Saturday (May 2), five army persons lost their lives during a gunbattle with terrorists that took place in a remote location in Handwara. Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rakesh Kumar, Lance Naik Dinesh Singh and a rifleman and sub-inspector Shakeel Qazi of Jammu and Kashmir Police were among those who were killed during a firefight with terrorists.

Two terrorists were also killed in the operation by the security forces.