Tributes to soldiers, security personnel martyred in Handwara: PM Narendra Modi

Modi tweeted: "Tributes to our courageous soldiers and security personnel martyred in Handwara. Their valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. They served the nation with utmost dedication and worked tirelessly to protect our citizens. Condolences to their families and friends."

Two senior Indian Army personnel-a colonel and a major-were martyred during an encounter with terrorists at Kupwara District in Jammu and Kashmir which began on Saturday. A police officer and two army soldiers were also killed when the security personnel came under heavy fire, said reports.

Two terrorists were also killed in the Handwara area of the district in north Kashmir.

During the joint operation with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the Indian army recovered weapons and warlike stores.

Official sources said that following specific information about presence of militants, a joint Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) was launched by Special Operations Group (SOG) of J&K police, Army and CRPF at Chanjmullah in Handwara.

 "Based on the intelligence input that terrorists were taking the civilian inmates of a house in Changimulla, (in the) Handwara (area) of Kupwara district, hostage, a joint operation was launch by Army and JK Police. A team comprising of five Army and JK Police personnel entered the target area occupied by the terrorists to evacuate the civ (civilians)," a statement read.