The last rites of two soldiers from Karnataka, who were buried alive in an avalanche in the Siachen Glacier, were performed at their native villages todaywith full military and state honours.
The mortal remains of Sepoy Mahesh and Subedar Nagesh were laid to rest at their native villages Pashupati in Mysurudistrict and Tejuru in Hassan district respectively.
They were buried according to family traditions amidchants of patriotic slogans by hundreds of people who had gathered atboth the places.
The bodies were brought to Bengaluru onboard an Indian Air Forceaircraft last evening from where they were taken to their native villagesby road.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah paid his last respects to Sepoy Mahesh in Mysuru and consoled the family, while Home Minister G Parameshwara and District in-charge Minister A Manju paid homage to Subedar Nagesh in Hassan district.
Of the ten soldiers who lost their lives in the Siachen tragedy, four-- Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, Sepoy Mahesh and Subedar Nagesh--were from Karnataka.
Hanamanthappa, who was the lone survivor when rescued from Siachen, died on February 11 at the Army hospital in New Delhi after almost a week-long battle.
The Karnataka government has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh alongwith land and a job for the kin of the deceased.
