New Delhi: As the nation mourns the loss of bravehearts in Handwara encounter, the last rites of Col Ashutosh Sharma and Major Anuj Sood was conducted today with full state honours.
The family of Col Ashutosh Sharma paid their last respects to the martyred officer in Jaipur today. Colonel Sharma’s wife Pallavi Sharma, daughter Tamanna and his mother saluted the decorated officer as his mortal remains was consigned to flames.
On Saturday, the martyr’s wife, Pallavi Sharma said that she will not shed tears on his martydom. “I am a proud wife as my husband sacrificed his life while protecting the nation. Will not shed tears on his martyrdom. It is an honour to be sacrificed for the country,” she added.
#WATCH Wife, daughter and other family members of Colonel Ashutosh Sharma who lost his life in #Handwara (J&K) encounter, salute him pic.twitter.com/t2yD7fIftO
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020
Ashok Gehlot, Sachin Pilot, Rajyavardhan Rathore attend funeral
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and his deputy Sachin Pilot were among those who paid last respects to Colonel Ashutosh Sharma at the Jaipur Military Station.
BJP leader Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore also paid tribute to Sharma, who was the commanding officer of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles unit and had been twice awarded gallantry medals for exemplary bravery in counter-terrorist missions.
मातृभूमि की रक्षार्थ अपने प्राणों की आहुति देने वाले माँ भारती के वीर सपूत कर्नल आशुतोष शर्मा के पार्थिव शरीर को पुष्पांजलि अर्पित कर श्रद्धांजलि दी।
परिजनों को सांत्वना देते हुए आश्वासन दिया मातृभूमि के लिए उनका यह त्याग हम व्यर्थ नही जाने देंगे।
आपकी वीरता को शत्-शत् नमन ? pic.twitter.com/BorbpESbKp
— Col Rajyavardhan Rathore (@Ra_THORe) May 5, 2020
Army officials said Colonel Ashutosh Sharma belonging to the Guards Regiment had been serving in the Kashmir valley for a long time and was twice awarded the Sena Medal for gallantry including one for his bravery as commanding officer.
He had received his gallantry award as a commanding officer when a terrorist was rushing towards his men on a road with a grenade hidden in his clothes.
Last rites of Major Anuj Sood in Panchkula
Major Anuj Sood’s last rites were also performed on 5 May in Panchkula. The Chandigarh Air Force station paid a floral tribute to him when his body arrived on Monday, 4 May.
Haryana: Last rites of Indian Army’s Major Anuj Sood performed in Panchkula today. He lost his life in action during the Handwara (J&K) encounter on May 2. pic.twitter.com/8od21DVsCW
— ANI (@ANI) May 5, 2020
Other Army persons who lost their lives in the Handwara operation include Major Anuj Sood, Naik Rajesh and Lance Naik Dinesh. Two terrorists were also killed in the operation by the security forces in the remote location of Handwara.
