The last post was sounded on Wednesday to pay homage to four martyrs, who took on the highly entrenched militants along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Gurez sector on Tuesday.
Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, Rifleman Hameer Singh, Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat and Gunner Vikram Jeet Singh of 36 Rashtriya Riffles had sustained bullet injuries during a fierce counter infiltration operation along the LoC in Kanzalwan--Gurez sector of Bandipora district.
The injured soldiers were immediately airlifted to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar but they succumbed to their wounds. Two terrorists were eliminated in the operation.
"In a show of solidarity, Director General of Police Jammu and Kashmir Dr SP Vaid and representatives from other security agencies also joined in to pay their last respects to the fallen heroes", said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, defence spokesman at Srinagar.
Hailing from Thane in Maharashtra, Major Kaustubh Prakash Kumar Rane, 29, had joined the Army in 2011. He was awarded Sena Medal in May last year. Promoted recently to the rank of Major, he is survived by his wife and a son.
Twenty-eight-year-old Rifleman Hameer Singh of Uttarakhand had joined the Army in 2011. He is survived by his wife and a daughter. Rifleman Mandeep Singh Rawat, 26 had joined the Army in 2012. Hailing from Uttarakhand, he is survived by his mother. Gunner Vikram Jeet Singh, 25, had joined the Army in 2014. Hailing from Haryana, he is survived by his wife.
"The mortal remains of the martyrs were flown for last rites to their native places, where they would be laid to rest with full military honours," said Colonel Kalia.
TRIBUTE TO FALLEN HEROES
The Indian Army on Wednesday paid a heartfelt tribute to the brave hearts, who sacrificed themselves to defend the motherland. Leading the nation to pay homage to the fallen heroes was the General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps Lieutenant General AK Bhatt
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