Three Nepalis serving in the Indian Army were killed in Naugam sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in India occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Monday night, various Indian media reported.

“Three intrepid Gorkha soldiers - Havaldar Giris Gurung, 38, Havaldar Damar Bahadur Pun, 40 and Rifleman Rabin Sharma, 23 - were part of the team that had intercepted a group of terrorists along LoC in the morning of May 20 thus preventing them from infiltrating into Indian territory,” said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.

 Havaldar Giris Gurung, 38, who hailed from village Nagidhar in Kaski Nepal, had a distinguished service spanning 19 years and was a part of many counter terrorist operations earlier. He is survived by his wife Panch Maya Gurung and two young children.

Hailing from village Karaing Tun in Gulmi, Nepal, Havaldar Damar Bahadur Pun, was an experienced soldier with 21 years of selfless service. He is survived by his wife Kalpana Pun and two young children.

Rifleman Rabin Sharma, 23, had joined the Army in 2013. Hailing from Nepal’s Chuwa village in Parbat district, he is survived by his wife Sabita Sharma.

The Indian Army on Monday paid homage to all three, with General Officer Commanding Lieutenant General JS Sandhu in the lead.

Colonel Kalia said in the relentless operation by the Army, which continued for two days, four terrorists were killed.

“Four weapons and other war like stores were also recovered from the slain militants,” he said.

This is possibly one of the rarest encounters when three Gorkha soldiers from Nepal have sacrificed their lives in a single operation in the Kashmir valley.

“The mortal remains of the martyrs will be taken by Service aircraft to Subathu in Himachal Pradesh for their last rites with full military honours. The Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and remains committed to their honour”, said Colonel Kalia.

Last year, on June 16, another Gorkha soldier had eliminated four militants along the LoC in Tanghdar sector before falling to enemy bullets.  Lance Havaldar Prem Bahadur Resmi Magar, 37, was awarded the second highest gallantry award, Kirti Chakra, posthumously.