Army denies slain soldier took part in surgical strikes
Srinagar, Sep 25: The Indian Army on Tuesday denied that the soldier killed in a gunfight along the Line of Control (LoC) at Tangdhar had taken part in the surgical strikes in September 2016.
Colonel Rajesh Kalia, Defence Ministry spokesman, told IANS in Srinagar, that reports about Lance Naik Sandeep Singh being a member of the Army's Special Forces that took part in the September 2016 Surgical Strike are "unfounded".
The Army on Tuesday paid tributes to the Lance Naik who was killed a day ago in a gunfight in the Tangdhar sector along the LoC.
"In a solemn ceremony at Badami Bagh Cantonment, Lieutenant General A.K. Bhatt, Chinar Corps Commander, and all ranks paid homage to the martyr on behalf of a proud nation," Colonel Kalia said here.
Director General of Jammu and Kashmir Police Dilbag Singh and representatives from various security agencies were also present on the occasion.
The Lance Naik sustained bullet injuries during an operation in the Tangdhar sector in which five terrorists were killed. He was provided immediate first-aid and evacuated to 92 Base Hospital, but he succumbed, Kalia said.
Singh, 30, had joined the Army in 2007. He belonged to Kotla Khurd village in Gurdaspur district of Punjab and is survived by his wife.
His mortal remains were flown to his native place where he would be laid to rest with full military honours.
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BJP councillor dies by suicide after being threatened by youths following party's bypoll win
Agartala (PTI): A BJP councillor of Dharmanagar Municipal Council (DMC) in North Tripura died by suicide on Tuesday after he was allegedly threatened and humiliated by a group of youth following the saffron party's victory in the Dharmanagar bypoll, police said.
Rahul Kishore Roy, who was also the BJP's Yuva Morcha mandal president, took the extreme step a day after BJP candidate Jahar Chakraborti won the bypoll for the Dharmagar Assembly constituency by a massive margin.
Chief Minister Manik Saha expressed shock over the youth leader's death and assured an impartial inquiry into the allegations brought by the deceased’s wife, Ananya Bhattacharjee.
"I am shocked by the untimely death of Rahul Kishore Roy. May his soul rest in peace, and also offer my sympathy to the bereaved family. I also assured that an impartial inquiry will be conducted following the complaint of the deceased's wife", the CM wrote on Facebook.
Roy's wife has lodged a complaint with the local police station, holding seven persons responsible for her husband's death.
"Soon after the announcement of the results of the bypoll to the Dharmagnar Assembly bypoll, six to seven youths attacked our residence at Chandrapur at 3 pm and started hurling abuses at my husband. They also assaulted me to hand over my husband to them," she stated in the complaint.
Ananya said, "The same gang returned late at night again, attacked our house and hurled two or three bombs. They also threatened to eliminate my husband whenever he is found at Dharmanagar."
Deeply upset by the attacks and threats, my husband committed suicide by hanging from the ceiling early Tuesday morning. I urge the Officer in Charge (OC), Dharmanagar police station, to investigate against these people for justice, she said.
"Based on a specific complaint, we have registered a case, and an investigation is underway. No one has been arrested yet," SP, North Tripura, Avinash Kumar Rai said.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
