Army pays befitting tributes to Pampore bravehearts

Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Dec. 18 (ANI): The Army on Sunday paid befitting tributes to three of its comrades, who were killed in a dastardly terrorist action on a convoy in Jammu and Kashmir's Pampore yesterday. Many senior officials from the civil administration including Divisional Commissioner Baseer Ahmed Khan and other security agencies joined Chinar Corps Commander Lieutenant General J.S. Sandhu and all ranks in paying homage to the bravehearts in a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Srinagar. One of the slain soldiers, 35-year old General Ratheesh C, had joined the army in 2001 and hailed from Kotolipram, Kannur district in Kerala. He is survived by his wife and a son. Hailing from Maharashtra, 33-year old gunner Farate Sourabh Nandkumar from Pune donned the uniform in 2004. He is survived by his wife and twin daughters. 24-year-old gunner Shashikant Pandey had four years of service and was on his way to join his unit in the Valley. Survived by his parents, Pandey hailed from Zharian, Dhanbad district of Jharkhand. The mortal remains of the slain soldiers will be flown for last rites to their native places where they will be laid to rest with full military honours. (ANI)