Tribune News Service

Patiala, June 27

A pall of gloom descended on Mardaheri, the native village of Lance Naik Saleem Khan, when his body reached here on Saturday evening.

Friends and relatives rushed to his house and consoled the bereaved family. Slogans like ‘shaheed amar rahe’ and ‘Bharat mata ki jai’ were raised as the body of Lance Naik Saleem Khan, wrapped in a Tricolour, reached his house. Villagers, especially children, showered petals on the military vehicle in which the mortal remains of the soldier were brought. Khan, 24, who belonged to the 58 Engineer Regiment, died in Ladakh on Friday in a military exercise.

He was about to come home this week. The family was planning his marriage. They had got a phone call from him a few days ago where the soldier told them that he would come home next week. Unfortunately, that was not to be. His mother Naseema Begum was inconsolable.

Khan was the sole breadwinner of the family after his father, who also served the Army, died many years ago. The 24-year-old had joined the Army in 2014. He was buried with full military honours at his village. He is survived by his mother, elder brother and a sister.

Cabinet Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot and SAD MLA Harinderpal Singh Chandumajra paid tributes to the Army man along with officials of the Army, police and district administration.

Chandigarh: Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh on Saturday announced ex gratia of Rs 50 lakh along with a government job to a family member of Lance Naik Saleem Khan, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Ladakh. Extending his sympathies, the Chief Minister said the state government would provide all help and support to the family.