Tribune News Service

Srinagar, December 17

The Army today paid a befitting tribute to late Havildar Chougule Jotiba Ganpati who was killed in a ceasefire violation on the Line of Control on Monday in the Gurez sector of Bandipora district.

In a solemn ceremony at BB Cantt, Lt Gen Asit Mistry, GOC, Delhi Area and Colonel of the Maratha Light Infantry, along with Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, Chinar Corps Commander, and all ranks, paid homage to the soldier on behalf of the nation.

An Army statement said Havildar Ganpati was manning a forward post on the line of duty in Gurez where he sustained bullet injuries during unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

“The soldier was provided immediate first aid and evacuated to the nearest medical station, but unfortunately, he succumbed to injuries,” it said.

The late Havildar was 37 years old and had joined the Army in 2002. He belonged to Mahagaon village of Gadhinglaj tehsil in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, and is survived by his wife and two sons.