Wreath laying ceremony held for Kupwara braveheart Naik Gawade

Srinagar: The wreath laying ceremony of Naik Gawade Pandurang Mahadev, who was martyred in a fierce encounter with five heavily armed terrorists on May 21, was today held in Srinagar with full honors.

The brave soldier was part of the column, which initially located and engaged the hiding terrorists leading to successful elimination of all the five terrorists.

During the encounter, Mahadev sustained head injuries and was evacuated to 92 base hospital for treatment, where he succumbed to his injuries yesterday.

Lieutenant General D.S. Hooda, Army Commander, Northern Command, yesterday expressed deep condolences to the family of this brave soldier.

Three army jawans were also injured in the encounter.