![Large number of people join last rites of Army soldier in Bandipora on Sunday. — Excelsior/Abid Nabi Large number of people join last rites of Army soldier in Bandipora on Sunday. — Excelsior/Abid Nabi](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/page1-4-6.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 6: Hundreds of people joined the last rites of Sepoy Waseem Ahmad Bhat, a soldier hailing from Dachigam area of Bandipora, who laid his life in Kulgam along with two other soldiers, which were held with full military honours in Bandipora today.
The 31-year-old Bhat was among three Army soldiers taken to 92 Base Hospital after sustaining critical injuries during the Halan Kulgam operation – where all of them succumbed to their injuries.
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His entire native village of Dachigam And people from the adjacent hamlets joined the last rites of the soldier. Women were seen wailing at the loss of the young soldier.
Bhat was an ace footballer who was known for the sport in the entire area. He represented the ‘Iqra Football Club’ in Dachigam for a long time and the club also mourned his death.
Bhat’s mortal remains were ferried from the Badami Bagh military hospital Srinagar to his native village Dachigam Bandipora this morning.
Hundreds of locals, along with top officials from the Army, Police and CRPF gathered at Middle School Dachigam to pay their respects and witness the last rites, which were conducted with full religious and military honours.
Bhat is survived by his wife, whom he had married in November 2021. His last visit to home was on Eid. Besides his wife, Waseem is survived by his parents, a brother and two married sisters. His wife is expecting a baby.
“Bandipora Police stands in solidarity with the bereaved families in this hour of grief, #SaluteToTheBrave hearts for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty,” read a tweet by the Bandipora Police.