Jayalalithaa condoles Maj. Varadharajan's death in Kashmir

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Sunday condoled the death of Maj. Mukund Varadharajan while fighting terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir April 25.

In a statement here, Jayalalithaa said she was grieved on hearing about Varadharajan's death.

The 32-year-old Varadharajan of the 44 Rashtriya Rifles was killed along with a soldier in a gun battle with separatist guerrillas in Karewa Manloo village in Kashmir's Shopian district. Three guerrillas were also killed.

The chief minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs.1 million to the army officer's family.

"I know this is an extremely traumatic and tragic time in your life. You have lost a dear and devoted husband, your young daughter her beloved father, and his parents their adored son," Jayalalithaa said in a letter to Indu Mukund, widow of the officer.

"Yet, it is a matter of great pride that he made the supreme sacrifice while protecting his motherland, in the best traditions of the Indian Army. In Major Mukund Varadharajan's death, the people of Tamil Nadu have lost a brave son, India has lost a courageous soldier," Jayalalithaa said.

Varadharajan is survived by his wife and his daughter Arshea Mukund.

His funeral with full military honours will be held here Monday.