Srinagar: Sub Inspector Sageer Ahmad Pathan @ Qazi was appointed as Constable in 1999 in Armed Wing of Jammu and Kashmir Police, police said in a statement.

Born in 1978 in Trad Karnah of Kupwara district, Sageer volunteered for working in Police SOG (Special Operation Group), an elite Counter-Terrorist Force in 2006, the police stated

“He continued their till date because of his outstanding performance till Saturday hen he attained martyrdom in an operation at Chanjmulla Handwara along with CO 21 RR Col Ashutosh Sharma Maj Anuj Sood and two soldiers of the same Unit,” the police said.

During his posting in SOG, Sageer remained part of and led various successful anti-terror operations, the police added

“In recognition of his immense contribution, he was granted three out of turn promotions and he rose from the rank of a constable to Sub-Inspector over the years,” the statement said.

“This courageous officer was honoured with various medals which include – Sheri-Kashmir Police Medal for Gallantry in  2009, Police Medal for Gallantry by President of India in 2011, DGP J&K Commendation Medal and GOC -in-C, Northern Command Commendation Disc,” the police added.

Previous day, the police said when the inputs were received about the presence of militants in village Chanjmulla, Handwara , he led the SOG team under the command of District SP Handwara along with CO 21 RR and launched the operation.

“He was part of the original team which went in to evacuate the civilian inmates in the target house who were taken hostage by the hiding terrorists,” the police said.

“The team could safely rescue the inmates but came under heavy fire from the terrorists, during the evacuation process and attained martyrdom”.

The police said other parties of police / SF continued the operation through the  night under the supervision of Brig Rathore, DIG Police North Kashmir range Suleman Choudhary and District SP Sundeep Chakravarti.

“On conclusion of the ops the target house was searched early this morning and dead bodies of two terrorists eliminated in the encounter were recovered along with arms and ammunition,” police said

“One of the slain terrorists is identified as Haider ,a Pak National working in Lashkar e Toiba in Kashmir for the past couple of years ,a terrorist outfits run by Pakistan and the identity of the other terrorist is being ascertained”.

While paying tributes to Sageer for protecting integrity and sovereignty of India, the police said he was by three daughters, a son and aged parents.