Tributes paid to soldier killed at Kupwara

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, May 23

The Army today paid floral tributes to Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev who was killed in a fierce gunfight in north Kashmir’s frontier Kupwara district on Saturday.

A defence spokesman said that homage was paid to the valour and sacrifice of the late soldier in a solemn ceremony held at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Srinagar.

“Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev had been critically injured in a fierce encounter that resulted in the elimination of five heavily armed terrorists on May 21 in Durgmulla, Kupwara. The soldier was part of the column which initially located and engaged the terrorists hiding in a cluster of houses. He was evacuated to the Military Hospital but unfortunately succumbed to his injures yesterday. The martyr is survived by his wife and two young children,” the spokesman said.

“Pride and honour for the martyr were all palpable as the Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Satish Dua and all ranks of Chinar Corps laid wreath to salute the soldier in his last journey,” he said.

The Corps Commander said that such exemplary acts always serve as an inspiration to the present and future generations and that such sacrifices never go in vain.