Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said all the military personnel killed or injured in the fidayeen attack on Pathankot airbase would get “battle casualty” status, and the benefits that go along with the status, usually granted during wars.
The announcement was made shortly after Parrikar visited Pathankot airbase along with Army chief General Dalbir Singh and Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.
An NSG Commando, one Garud Commando of IAF and five men from Defence Security Corps (DSC) attained martyrdom during the audacious fidayeen strike on Pathankot airbase. These seven soldiers hail from five different States. Two each belonged to Punjab and Himanchal Pradesh while one each hailed from Karnataka, Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir.
Sensing the mood of the nation Chief Ministers of Karnataka, Himanchal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab have already announced ex-gratia for the next of kin of bravehearts hailing from their respective States.
These leaders along with their senior colleagues also attended the last rites of these brave soldiers and paid homage by meeting families of these martyrs. It is only the State of Jammu & Kashmir which is yet to announce ex-gratia for the next of kin of brave son of the soil lance Naik Mool Raj who was one among the seven soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty inside Pathankot airbase.
local MlA and Industries Minister Chander Prakash Ganga attended the last rites of brave soldier and consoled the family members. On the other hand, J&K State information department released a token statement on behalf of ailing Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, deeply condoling the death of 1 NSG commando and 6 others in a terror attack on IAF base camp at Pathankot.
Condemning the attack, the Chief Minister said such dastardly acts are aimed at creating uncertainty and derailing the peace process between India and Pakistan.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh too issued a statement without making any mention of compensation for the next of kin of lance Naik Mool Raj of Jakh village of Samba district.
Meanwhile, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah Monday announced `30 lakh compensation for NSG Commando lt -Col Niranjan Kumar after offering condolences in Bengaluru.
“The State Government is with Niranjan’s family and it will extend all possible help to them. The State Government had given `30 lakh as compensation to the family of martyr Sandeep Unnikrishnan who was killed in the Mumbai terror attack in 2008,” Siddaramaiah said.
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar also announced a compensation of `20 lakh to the family of the Garud Commando corporal Gursewak Singh.
Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh too announced financial assistance of `20 lakh each to the family members of the deceased soldiers Havaldar Sanjeevan Singh Rana of Siyun village of Shahpur Assembly segment in Kangra and Havaldar Jagdish Chand who hailed from Gola village of Sinhunta tehsil in Chamba district.
In his condolence message Singh said these brave men sacrificed their lives for maintaining the unity, integrity and security of the Nation.
Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal too visited residences of Honorary Captain Fateh Singh and Havaldar Kulwant Singh and assured all possible help for both the families.