The mortal remains of Rifleman Satish Bhagat and lance Naik Ranjeet Singh, martyred along the line of control in Keran sector of Kupwara on Wednesday, were consigned to flames with full military honours in their native villages of Jammu on Friday.
Kartik, 9 year old son of lance Naik Ranjeet Singh, lit the pyre while Rifleman Satish Bhagat’s father, himself an ex-serviceman, saluted his son before his pyre was lit.
Wrapped in tricolour when their mortal remains reached their homes local villagers shouted slogans against Pakistan and demanded firm response from the Indian Army.
Braving scorching weather conditions large number of mourners from their native villages and surrounding areas, besides family friends and close relatives, paid their last respects.
Senior Army officers and those from the civil administration were also present as buglers sounded the ‘last Post’ and the martyred soldiers were accorded a gun salute.
Before their mortal remains were airlifted to Jammu Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti joined the Army in paying tribute to two soldiers from the state.
“In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantonment, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti joined lt Gen JS Sandhu, Chinar Corps Commander and all ranks, in paying homage to the martyrs on behalf of a proud nation,” An army official said.
He said in a show of solidarity, officials from the state government and other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the martyrs. In Jammu, deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh, senior cabinet ministers and speaker Kavinder Gupta also paid homage to the brave hearts.
lance Naik Ranjeet Singh, 32, had joined the Army in 2003 and hailed from village Burn in Jammu. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Rifleman Satish Bhagat,hailing from Gurhasinghu village, was only 21 years old and had joined his unit only last month on his first posting in Kupwara. He is survived by his parents.