AHMEDABAD, Aug 6: A large number of people, including political leaders, gathered to pay tribute to martyred Indian Army jawan Mahipalsinh Vala, whose body was brought to his hometown in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad on Sunday from Jammu and Kashmir.
Vala was one of the three Army personnel martyred in an encounter with militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Friday evening.
The soldier’s mortal remains arrived at Ahmedabad airport from Srinagar in a military aircraft and was transported to his native Viratnagar in Odhav area, where the ceremonial guard of honour and last rites were conducted with full military honours.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid tribute to Vala along with other leaders.
“Grateful salute to the immortal martyr who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the country and countrymen,” Patel tweeted.
A large number of people gathered to pay homage and join the funeral procession.
The martyred soldier was to become a father in a few days, and his wife and other members of the family were inconsolable.
Meanwhile, slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ rent the air in Babulal Jat’s village here on Sunday as his inconsolable family and proud villagers bid farewell to the Army soldier who martyred in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.
Jat, 38, was accorded a guard of honour by the Army and the Rajasthan Police. His two sons Vishal (18) and Vishesh (14) lit the pyre.
Rajasthan Food and Civil Supplies Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas, BJP national spokesperson Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore and Shahpura MLA Alok Beniwal were among those who paid tributes to the slain soldier.
Army, police and administration officials also attended his last rites. (PTI)
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