New Delhi: Floral tributes were paid in the national capital on Thursday, to martyred hero Colonel M N Rai (39), killed in a gun battle with guerrillas in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Tuesday.
Officers and family members paid their last respects and laid wreaths on the martyred officer’s body at a cremation ground in the Delhi Cantt area. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a five-year old son.
The incident occurred after Colonel Rai was awarded the Yudh Seva medal during the 66th Republic Day celebrations.
Colonel Rai and J&K police officer – head constable Sanjay Singh were killed on Tuesday by the militants who had taken refuge in a house. When the house was cordoned, the terrorists went all out, resulting in the death of the two.
Army chief General Dalbir Singh had termed Colonel M N Rai’s act of pursuing and eliminating terrorists as a ‘brave act’ and said the brave officer showed exemplary leadership in leading from the front.
“He was a very brave officer and he had been awarded Yudh Seva Medal on 26 January. It is an example of leadership, that the moment he got the information that there are two terrorists in that area, he immediately led a party and eliminated them,” General Singh said.
Two Hizbul Mujahdeen militants were also killed in the encounter.