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posted by: Kavya Mishra
Last updated: May 06, 2023, 7:00 PM IST
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and saluted the army personnel killed at Rajouri in Jammu. (News 18)
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed his condolences on his death, stating that she was deeply concerned.
The death of Paratrooper Siddhant Chhetri in an anti-terrorism operation at Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir has suddenly brought down the curtains on his two-month marriage.
Siddhant, 24, hails from Bijanbari in Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
His elder brother Om Prakash Chhetri, who had recently retired from the army, said that Siddhant was only motivated to serve the nation.
My brother was very enthusiastic about serving the country. Then he joined the army in 2020. Due to his good performance, he was assigned to the Special Forces. He got married just two months ago and returned to his work in Jammu and Kashmir. He was martyred within 15 days of his return,” Om Prakash told the agency over the phone as he was on his way to Bagdogra Airport to collect the body of his younger brother.
Siddhant was among five army jaws killed in an explosion detonated by terrorists in densely forested Kandy district of Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir during Friday’s operation.
Para (SF), to which he belonged, is a group of special forces battalions of the Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army. These units specialize in counterterrorism, hostage rescue, counterinsurgency, and special reconnaissance.
“He was very young – just 24. His wife is only 22 and also hails from Darjeeling. Since hearing the news of Siddhant’s death, she has repeatedly lost consciousness. Our fathers are mothers and they don’t say a word,” Om Prakash said.
Siddhant’s remains have arrived at Bagdogra airport in a special Air Force plane from Jammu. From there, he was transported by road to Bangdubi Army Base.
At Bangdubi Base, he was awarded full military honors. Senior officers of the Siliguri Metro Police and district administration honored him. Local Shankar Ghosh of the Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and senior officers of the Indian Army, including Colonel Anjan Kumar Pasumatari, also paid their last respects to him.
From there his dead body was taken to his home in Kigumbasti in Bijanbari.
Om Prakash said Siddhant’s body will be kept at their home on Saturday evening until the family mourns the last rites on Sunday.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed his condolences on his death, stating that she was deeply concerned.
Our patriotic jaws gave their lives trying to neutralize the terrorists and their ultimate sacrifice will never be forgotten. I offer my deepest condolences to the families of Siddhant Chhetri and other patriots who lost their lives yesterday.”
The operation that claimed the life of young Jawan was launched after information was received about the presence of a group of terrorists who were involved in an ambush of an army truck in Bhatta Darian of Poonch district in April, in which five security personnel were killed.
Prior to Friday’s attack, the border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir witnessed seven major terrorist incidents since October 2021 in which 29 people were killed, including 22 army personnel.
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(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is republished from a syndicated news agency feed.)
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