Place of Birth: Kralpora, J&K
Service: Army
Last Rank : Naik
Unit: 160 Inf Battalion
Regiment: Territorial Army
Date of Martyrdom : Mar 21,2018
Naik Mohd Ashraf Rather
Naik Muhammad Ahraf Rather hailed from Reshigund village of Kralpora district in Jammu & Kashmir. He had joined the Territorial Army in 2004 and had served in various operational areas in his 14 years of service. During 2018 he was serving with 160 Infantry Battalion of TA, which was deployed in Kupwara district of J & K.
Kupwara Operation : 21st March 2018
On 20 Mar 2018, the J & K police spotted a group of militants hiding in a mosque, located about 8 km into the Indian territory from the LOC. The militants had crossed two ridges of the Shamsabari mountain range and were headed into Kupwara town. The militants then tried running into the forest nearby, but were fired at by security forces. However the militants succeeded in escaping into the thick Halmatpora Forest Area in Kupwara District. The militants got holed up in natural caves offered by the mountain range in the area. The militants also fanned out in different directions to make it difficult for the security forces to engage them. An operation was launched by the security forces with a joint team of police, Army, the Territorial Army (TA) and the CRPF.
A fierce gun battle ensued thereafter lasting for over 48 hours. The joint assault team succeeded in eliminating five hard core militants during the operation. Besides the troops of para military forces, the joint team had soldiers from 160 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army and 5 Bihar of the Bihar Regiment. However during the heavy exchange of fire, two soldiers of 160 Inf Bn, Naik Mohammad Ashraf Rather and Hav Jorabar Singh and one soldier of 5 Bihar, Naik Ranjit Khalkho got seriously injured and later succumbed to their injuries. Naik Mohammad Ashraf Rather was a brave and dedicated soldier who laid down his life in the service of the nation.
Naik Mohd Ashraf Rather is survived by his wife and a daughter.
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Source
- http://kashmirlife.net/halmatpora-encounter-the-complete-story-168942/
- http://zeenews.india.com/jammu-and-kashmir/kupwara-encounter-army-pays-tribute-to-martyred-jawans-salutes-their-supreme-sacrifice-2092679.html
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/fresh-firing-between-security-forces-and-militants-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-kupwara/article23311428.ece
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Avani J.
2021at9:10 pmI cannot imagine the strength Naik Mohd Ashraf Rather would have had to be a part of the battle. I am so sorry for this loss, and I wish he did not have to lay his life down for his country. The fact that he did is something I will be grateful for, for the rest of my life. The date of his martyrdom is the same as my birthday, and every year his and his family’s bravery will be in my thoughts. I hope his wife and daughter are doing well. I’m proud of them for supporting our Naik!