A pall of gloom descended in Uncha Pul locality of Haldwani on Thursday when the news of martyrdom of Major Kamlesh Pandey arrived. The Major lost his life while fighting terrorists at Shopian in Jammu and Kashmir. At the time of writing this news, the mortal remains of Major Pandey had not reached his home. It is learnt that the body is expected to reach at around mid night. He would be cremated with full military honours at Chitrashila Ghat located at Ranibagh on Friday.
As the news of death of Major Pandey arrived, the household of Pandey’s was thronged by people of the area. Senior army officers also offered their condolences to the grieving family. Father of martyr, Havildar Mohan Chandra Pandey (Rtd) said that he is proud of the martyrdom of his son. He said that the time has arrived when the political leadership of country should take a final decision on now or never war with Pakistan. Twenty eight year old Major Pandey is survived by his wife and a two year daughter. His wife works in Ghaziabad and is expected to reach Haldwani at late evening.
Reports suggest that a cordon and search operation was launched by Army in Zaipora area of Shopian on lateWednesday night following intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists. During the search operation, the militants fired upon the party of security forces in which three Army personnel were injured. The injured were taken to Army’s 92 base hospital in Shopian where Major Pandey and Sepoy T Chhultim succumbed to their injuries.