People of India can never forget the way separatists shutdown schools and colleges and brought entire Kashmir to stand still for more than three months after Indian army encountered Hizbul commander Burhan Wani.
While entire country celebrated the success, Kashimir separatists started protesting branding Burhan Wani as a freedom fighter. Even Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti,former CM Omar Abdullah and others hailed Burhan Wani.
Pakistan took this as an opportunity and even PM Nawaz Shariff hailed Burhan Wani as freedom fighter during his speech at UN right after Uri terror attack on Indian army base.
Now on Republic Day, jawans who encountered Burhan Wani were felicitated with Sena Medals. On this occassion one should understand how army men risking their lives encountered the dreaded terrorist. This is a proud moment for Rashtriya Rifles Unit as three of its personnel have been awarded sena medal.
Young Major Sandeep Kumar, led a crack team on actionable intelligence input that Sartaj Aziz and two other militants were hiding in a house in Bumdoora village on July 8, last year.
Bumdoora is located 18 km southeast of Anantnag and it was cordoned off but the presence of Army got leaked complicating their task. Major Kumar, Captain Manik Sharma and Naik Arvind Singh Chauhan waited for long to storm into the house where militants were holed up.
But protesting crowds increased alarmingly shouting slogans against the army and pelting stones. Captain Sharma and two others tried to storm the house with Major Kumar behind them to provide cover fire. But they had to retreat as villagers pelted heavy stones.
Police officer in touch with the army contingent from the district headquarters shared "We were counting every minute and even planning to throw a cordon around the house as dusk approached fast and with it the milling, restive crowd carrying stones,"
Major Kumar and his team stormed once again and militants resorted to gun fire. During that time Aziz was shot dead as he tried to escape. Another two were hiding in the house and as protests increased even more,Major Kumar called local 'Imam' to cam the villagers.
In the midst of all this light started fading and with no other option, Major and his men tried storming the house once again. Militant Pervaiz Ahmad Lashkari was seen firing while shielding a man and pushing him towards a nearby apple orchard. Lashkari was gunned down in retaliatory fire by the crack team which was challenged by the lone militant.
Later after the last militant was shot dead,it was discovered that he was none other than Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.
