Rai, 39, commanding officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles, and head constable Sanjeev Kumar Singh Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed during the encounter in Tral in Pulawama district yesterday, in which two militants were also gunned down.
Colonel M N Rai, killed in a gun battle with militants in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, was today cremated with full military honours here.
Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh placed a wreath as hundreds gathered to pay their last respects to the officer at the Cantonment here.
The 39-year-old brave officer was also given a gun salute. His pyre was lighted by the officer's elder brother Col D N Rai, who is also from the Gorkha Rifles like his sibling.
Members of his regiment and Rashtriya Rifles unit were also present along with top officers from the Army Headquarters.
Who was Colonel Rai?
Commissioned in Gurkha Riffles, Colonel Rai was commanding the 42 RR, which is responsible for counter insurgency operations in Tral, nicknamed Kandahar owing to the huge infestation of militancy in the area. Father of two daughters and son, Col Rai, one of 13 Yudh Seva Medal winners on Republic Day, was posted in the area for more than one and half year and his two year tenure was coming to an end in March.
Colonel M N Rai lost his life fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Tral on January 27, just a day after being awarded Yudh Seva Medal.
Also read: He was the youngest and bravest, remembers Col Rai's brother
The martyred colonel's wife, two daughters and son were present for the last rites.
The Commanding Officer was hailed by the Army for always leading from the front in operations and reaching out to youths in militancy-hit areas.
"He was a very brave officer and he had been awarded Yudh Seva medal on January 26. It is an example of leadership, that the moment he got the information that there are two terrorists in that area, he immediately led a party and eliminated them," he said.
Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Government has announced Rs.30 lakhs ex-gratia to the family of the Colonel Rai, who hails from the state's Ghazipur District. (ANI)
Also read: Indian Army pays tribute to Republic Day awardee officer killed in encounter with terrorists
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