Ranjeet Khalkho from Budhakhukhra village of Ranchi under Mandar Police Station was also among the five jawans who were martyred in Jammu and Kashmir during an encounter with terrorists on Wednesday. Chief Minister Raghubar Das, announcing ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the martyr’s family members, said that Khalkho’s sacrifice for the nation will not go in vain as the present Government was committed towards rooting out terrorist from the Country.
“May the soul of martyr Ranjeet Khalkho rest in peace; people of Jharkhand is with the family of this martyr,” said the CM. He also prayed that God may provide enough courage to the family members to withstand this grief.
Khlakho’s body will reached Ranchi airport on Friday evening and was given homage by Governor Droupadi Murmu alongwith Minister Amar Kumar Bauri and others. Khalkho will be cremated on Saturday with State honour at his village.
“Mortal remains of Khlakho reached Ranchi Airport at 8:30 pm by special flight during which SSP Ranchi and I were present there to receive it which will be cremated on Saturday with all state honours,” said Ranchi DC Rai Mahipat Ray. Meanwhile, the cheque of Rs10 lakh has been prepared and will be handed over to Khalkho’s mother on Thursday evening itself, he added.
Remarkably, the encounter which took place at Halmatpora in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir was triggered after the terrorists fired on the joint party of the Army and Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashrmir Police continued for 48 hours during which the security forces also gunned down five terrorists.
Khalkho, son of a retired army man who died recently, was eldest among three sisters and two brothers.
Khlkho was to get married this in April this year, preparation for which were on full swing by his family members, when the unfortunate news was given to them. Mukhia of area was informed about the martyrdom but Khalkho’s mother had not been informed till Thursday evening considering her old age.