New Delhi: The army bid farewell to Colonel MN Rai who was martyred by militants in Jammu and Kashmir just a day after being awarded Republic Day gallantry medal, by according him with Guard of Honour today in New Delhi.
Before Col Rai's funeral rites were performed, his daughter saluted before him and shouted, “ho ke hoi na”. The entire Army regiment replied, “Hoi na parcha” (this is Gorkha regiment's motto).
He was the youngest of 13 officers awarded the Yudh Seva Medal on Monday, for killing a terrorist in a close battle last year.
His fellow officers knew him as a brave soldier who always led from the front.
He is survived by his wife and three children.
He is the highest-ranking military officer to be killed in the region in nearly a year.
Col Rai along with a policeman, Sanjeev Singh was also killed as they tried to corner militants who had taken refuge in a house.
When the house was cordoned, the terrorists went all out and shot at them.
Two Hizbul Mujahdeen militants were also killed in the encounter.
