Army bids farewell to rifleman Bikash Gurung killed in Pak ceasefire violation

The Army today bid farewell to rifleman Bikash Gurung, who was killed in a ceasefire violation in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.

A military send off was organised in honour of Gurung, who laid down his life guarding the nation's frontiers while serving at the Line of Control (LoC) in Naushera sector, a defence spokesman said.

Military dignitaries laid wreaths on behalf of Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, Army Commander, Northern Command and Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC White Knight Corps, he said.

The mortal remains of the martyr is being transported to Rushafarm village in Dehradun district, where his last rites will be conducted with full military honours, he said.

"The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the spokesman said.

Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of mortars on routine Indian Army patrol, 700 metres inside Indian territory in Naushera sector along the LoC yesterday morning.

In the exchange of fire, Gurung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries. The 21-year-old soldier is survived by his mother.