A pall of gloom has descended at martyr Padam Bahadur Shrestha‘s native village in Golaghat district’s Hatighuli area under Borpathar Police Station. Havildar Shrestha was one of the two Gorkha Regiment soldiers who were killed during a ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K)’s Kupwara district in the intervening night of October 19th-20th, 2019.
The mortal remains of the Assam jawan is expected to reach at Dimapur Airport by AI-709 on October 22nd, 2019 at 12:55 pm. The body will then be taken to Dighali village in Dhansiri area. He will be laid to rest with full state honours.
“He was a kind-hearted person and took care of everyone in the family. He treated me like his friend and was extremely dutiful. His death is a great loss for the family and nation,” said Lakshmi Shrestha, the sister of Hav Shrestha breaking into tears.
It may be mentioned that two Indian soldiers and a civilian were killed and three other civilians sustained injuries in the unprovoked ceasefire violation at the Tangdhar sector along the Line of Control. The Indian Army on October 20th, 2019 said they retaliated and inflicted heavy damages with artillery attacks to at least three “terror camps” inside Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The 42-year-old Assam jawan had joined the Gorkha Regiment in 2001. He had visited his family this July. Hav Shrestha is survived by his parents, wife Dhal Kumari Shrestha, two daughters, and a son.
Meanwhile, condolence messages started pouring in from all corners for the two brave Indian soldiers. Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma saluted the “protectors and pride of India” and condoled the death of the brave hearts.
Army Chief Bipin Rawat and all ranks of the Army saluted the supreme sacrifice of the brave soldiers and offered their deepest condolences to the families.
Photo: @nobinbora
