Even as the encounter with terrorists unfolded in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district in Jammu and Kashmir, the names and pictures of the three officers killed in the operation went viral on social media.

This happened even before the Indian Army officially confirmed the casualties.

According to a report by the Tribune, news of Colonel Manpreet Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, and DSP Himayun Bhat being shot dead in the encounter had already circulated on social media as early as 1 pm on Wednesday (13 September).

It is worth noting that the information on social media did not originate from journalists covering the Ministry of Defence in New Delhi or reporters based in Srinagar.

Instead, it was disseminated by veterans, as noted by an army officer.

The Army Headquarters was taken aback by the fact that veterans had initiated the sharing of pictures and information without waiting for an official announcement from the army.

In the army, the announcement of a soldier's death follows a specific protocol, typically after the next of kin have been informed of the demise.

A senior officer expressed concerns about the premature release of Colonel Manpreet Singh's pictures by veterans.

Meanwhile, the encounter in the dense forest in Kokernag area is still ongoing and the security forces are using drones to pinpoint terrorists in the area.

Drones are also being used to drop grenades over the terrorists hiding spots in an attempt to flush them out.

The security operation began on the early morning of Wednesday (13 September) following specific intelligence inputs regarding the presence of two Pakistan-based terrorists in the Gadool hamlet of Anantnag's Kokernag area.

The security forces, comprising the Indian Army, and JKP, initiated the operation in the area and established contact with the two terrorists.

The two terrorists holed up in the area are believed to be from the banned terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy front The Resistance Front.