Colonel Manpreet Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Jammu and Kashmir Police, Humayun Muzamil Bhat and Major Aashish Dhonchak of the Army's 19 Rashtriya Rifles laid down their lives in Kokernag encounter on Wednesday, September 13. These are not just three humans who have departed this world. They are extraordinary beings and their names will go down in the annals of history as the brave-hearts who gave up their lives in the supreme duty of protecting Jammu and Kashmir and our nation. According to reports, Operational Gadol was launched by the security forces in Kokernag following inputs that a group of terrorists were hiding in the area. Reports indicate that a joint team of security forces were closing in the cordon around a suspected hideout when the terrorists opened fire. Colonel Singh, a recipient of the Sena Medal in 2021, was the first to come under attack followed by the two other officers. As an emergency situation developed, armed forces stepped up the offensive, forcing the terrorists to push back and hide in the dense forests surrounding the south Kashmir village where the encounter broke out. In the meantime, an Army chopper was brought to the area and the three victims were flown to the Army's base hospital in Srinagar where all of them succumbed, despite best efforts to save their lives. The news of the death has naturally cast a gloom in the security establishment. One can't remember the last time when a colonel-ranked officer and a major of the army and a DSP of J&K Police were killed in one encounter. The sheer magnitude of the tragedy is unbearable. Regardless, there will be an assessment of the situation in which the security forces were targeted. According to reports, the encounter took place in a forested and hilly area, similar to the encounters that we have witnessed in Poonch and Rajouri areas of Pir Panjal. Was the risk-assessment done before going in for the kill in a forested area? There will be many questions and it is certain that a thorough review will be undertaken to avoid such fatalities. It is also certain that Pakistan is not at all happy with the peace in Jammu and Kashmir. The neighbouring country will make all efforts to disrupt the situation in J&K. The encounter in Kokernag goes on to show Islamabad's desperation. But our valiant security forces have also shown that they will lay down their lives if it comes to that. We bow in reverence to them for standing tall sad making the supreme sacrifice for the nation.