In the encounter with extremists in Handwara in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir in India, five Army and Jammu and Kashmir police personnel including two army officers have been killed.

Among the killed security forces are an army colonel and a major. Apart from this, there is one Sub Inspector of Jammu and Kashmir Police and two Army personnel. Two extremists have also been killed in this encounter. The encounter started at 3:30 pm on Saturday evening. Those killed include 21 National Rifle commanding army officer Colonel Ashutosh Sharma, Major Anuj, a Lance Nayak and a rifle man along with Jammu and Kashmir Police Sub Inspector Shakeel Qazi.

Colonel Sharma received two gallantry awards. In the past, he carried out several successful operations.

The BBC's associate journalist Majid Jahangir, quoting the Public Relations Officer of the security force, said that the extremists were occupying a house in Changimul in Handwara and were using it to hide it. The house was raided under the joint action of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Army.

The Army statement said that they had received information from the intelligence agency about this. According to the statement, the army and five Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel were involved in the raiding squad.

India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has tweeted and paid tribute. Rajnath Singh tweeted, "A tribute to the soldiers and security personnel involved in the military action. My condolences to the families who have lost their people. India stands shoulder to shoulder with the families of these brave martyrs. ''

Rajnath Singh has said in the next tweet, "The death of soldiers and security personnel in Handwara is very sad. He has shown exemplary bravery in the fight against terrorism. He even sacrificed his life in defense of the country. We will never forget his bravery and martyrdom. ''

These security forces personnel came to that area to rescue the captured people. The security forces rescued the stranded people during the operation but the security forces also lost their lives in heavy firing from the extremists.

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