The Indian Army, along with the CRPF, BSF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police, paid tributes to Havildar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, who was killed in a gunfight with militants in Udhampur district on Thursday, April 24, 2025. Sheikh, a trooper from the special forces (6 Para), lost his life while engaging militants during an operation in the Dudu-Basantgarh area.
A wreath-laying ceremony was held at the 166 Military Hospital in Jammu, where senior officials from the Army, CRPF, BSF, and Jammu and Kashmir Police paid their respects. The ceremony was led by Major General Shailender Singh, the Chief of Staff of the White Knight Corps, who honored the fallen soldier’s sacrifice. Following the ceremony, Sheikh’s body was sent to his native village, Pathar Ghata in Nadia district, West Bengal, for burial.
Political Leaders Pay Tributes
In a heartfelt tribute, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) expressed condolences and remembered Sheikh as the “Hero of Bengal.” The party hailed him for his bravery and selfless service. Trinamool MP from Krishnanagar, Mahua Moitra, also paid her respects, remembering Sheikh as a son of her constituency.
TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh condemned divisive politics and called on others to honor the courage of soldiers like Jhantu Ali Sheikh. He said that terrorism has no religion and urged political leaders to focus on uniting the country in these challenging times.
Local political figures, including Tehatta MLA Tapas Saha and Rajya Sabha MP Samirul Islam, also visited Sheikh’s family to offer their condolences. Islam recalled that Sheikh’s family came from humble agricultural roots and described his death as an ultimate sacrifice for the nation.
Ongoing Security Operations
Meanwhile, security forces continue operations in the Basantgarh belt of Udhampur to track down the remaining militants involved in the encounter that led to the death of Havildar Sheikh.
