Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 28: The army today paid rich tributes to Rifleman Sandeep Singh Rawat, who was killed during an anti-infiltration operation along the Line of Control in Tangdhar sector.
“Rich tributes were paid by the army to its valiant soldier Rifleman Sandeep Singh Rawat who attained martyrdom at a young age of 21 while successfully foiling an infiltration bid in Kupwara on October 27,” an army spokesman said.
Officers and other ranks laid floral wreaths on the coffin — draped in tricolour — carrying Rawat’s body.
Rawat was part of a team that had yesterday intercepted and engaged a group of infiltrating militants along the LoC in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara, he said.
“In the ensuing gunfight, Rifleman Rawat had sustained bullet injury. After being given first-aid at the site of encounter, he was evacuated by air to 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar where he succumbed to his grievous injuries,” he said.
The spokesman said Rawat, who was a proficient boxer, had won over his superiors and peers alike by his “soldierly attributes, youthful energy and an ever smiling disposition”.
He is survived by his parents.
The mortal remains of Rawat will be taken to his native place, Dehradun, where the last rites will be performed tomorrow with full military honours, he added.