Soldier killed in Kashmir cremated in Andhra

Hyderabad, June 27 (IANS) The last rites of soldier M. Yadaiah, killed in a militant attack in Jammu and Kashmir three days ago, were performed Thursday with military honours in Andhra Pradesh.

The cremation took place in his native Kondareddypalle village of Mahabubnagar district, about 90 km from here.

The arrangements for the last rites were made under the supervision of Major General Cyrus A. Pithawalla, general officer commanding, Andhra sub-area, said a defence statement.

The body of the slain soldier was flown in here in the morning and taken to his village by road. Yadaiah is survived by his wife, two daughters and parents.

Senior army officers paid tributes to Yadaiah at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The officers laid wreath and the defence personnel saluted the martyr.

Lt Gen S.M. Mehta, commandant, Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering, Secunderabad, commanded the wreath laying and guard of honour ceremony.

A two-minute silence, sad bugle and guns salute by army jawans marked the solemn ceremony.

Yadaiah, 28, was among eight soldiers killed when the militants ambushed an army convoy on the outskirts of Srinagar Monday. Nineteen others were injured in the attack.

Serving in 35 Rashtriya Rifles, Signalman Yadaiah was the only breadwinner of the poor family. He joined the army in 2003 and served in Goa and Assam before being posted in Kashmir an year ago.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced a monthly aid of Rs.1,500 for the education of Yadaiah’s children.

Minister for Information and Public Relations D.K. Aruna, who also hails from the same district, said if Yadaiah’s wife has studied till Class 10, she would be given a job.

The minister announced that the martyr’s family would be allotted a house site in the village or in Kalvakurti and 2.5 acre agriculture land or five acre barren land.

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