Our Correspondent

Kaithal, August 20

The mortal remains of Rajesh Punia were on Monday consigned to flames with full state honours in his native village Bhagal of the Guhla subdivision in Kaithal district.Transport Minister Krishan Lal Panwar attended the funeral and consoled the bereaved family. He announced assistance of Rs 50 lakh and government job to a family member of the martyr.Thousands of people stood along the Pehowa-Cheeka road to pay their last respects. An Army contingent also paid respects.Rajesh’s mother Krishna Devi said she was proud of her son and was ready to send her younger son to the Army. Rajesh’s younger brother Rampal felt proud that his brother had sacrificed his life for the country.Local MLA Kulwant Bazigar, former Rajya Sabha member Ishwar Singh and former Chief Parliamentary Secretary Dillu Ram Bajigar laid wreaths on the body. Posted in Jammu and Kashmir, 23-year-old Rajesh of the 6 Rajputana Rifles succumbed to injuries after he slipped and fell from a hill at Kaksar in the Drass-Kargil area on August 18.