1. Home
2. Front Page

Large number of people join funeral of killed soldier

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 2/25/2017 1:14:22 PM

SRINAGAR, Feb 24: Large number of people today took part in the funeral of Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather, who was killed in an ambush by militants yesterday in south Kashmir.
Rather left his home at Marhama Mohalla in Bijbehara of south Kashmir last month after celebrating the birthday of his son Aahil, who had turned one.
34-year-old Rather, who was killed in an ambush by militants in Shopian district on Thursday, was part of the 4-Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry and posted with 44 Rashtriya Rifles, a counter-insurgency force carved from various Army units. Two other soldiers and a civilian woman were also killed in the encounter, which took place barely 25 kilometres from his home.
His wailing wife Shahzada Akhter and grieving relatives received the body.
The huge turnout of mourners surprised the Army officers and jawans who accompanied Rather's mortal remains.
His relatives were seen wailing and recollecting the time spent with him.
"He was a highly motivated and courageous soldier as well as a gentleman who upheld the best traditions of the army," a senior officer said.
After the wreath laying ceremony at the Srinagar-based Corps headquarters, which was attended by Army Chief Bipin Rawat, the mortal remains of Rather were taken to his house in a special vehicle.
His body was handed over to the family members for the rituals to be conducted at his house in the presence of a huge assembly of people.
The mortal remains were then brought to the graveyard at Asthanpura where special prayers were conducted by the Moulvi as per the religious customs.
After the gun salute, as his body was lowered into the grave.