Army pays tribute to martyrs of Kulgam gunfight

Srinagar, Feb 13 (IANS) The Indian Army on Monday paid tributes to the two martyrs killed in a gunfight in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Sunday.

A Defence Ministry statement issued here said: "It called for raw courage to approach a house where the terrorists were confirmed to be hiding -- even more so when the response had to be very guarded given the fact that they held a hostage in that house.

"Lance Naik Bhandoriya Gopal Singh and Sepoy Raghubeer Singh epitomised just that form of selfless courage as they were the leading buddy pair of the team that launched an operation in Frisal village yesterday (Sunday) during which four terrorists were eliminated," the statement said.

In a solemn ceremony, the army paid homage to the gallant soldiers at Badami Bagh cantonment in Srinagar.

"Major General K.K. Pant, Chief of Staff Chinar Corps, laid wreaths on behalf of the Corps Commander and all ranks of the Corps.

"Tributes were also paid by officials from civil administration and other security agencies that included the Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, Inspector General Police and Joint Director IB.

"Lance Naik B. Gopal, 33, hailed from village Gokulchand Chali Chamanpura in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and served in the army for 14 years. He is survived by his wife B. Hemavati.

"Sepoy Raghubeer Singh was only 31 years old and had served for 13 years.

"He belonged to village Makholi in Chamoli, Uttarakhand, and is survived by his wife Rekha and a six-year-old son.

"The army salutes the sacrifice of the martyrs and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and it will forever remain the army's responsibility to ensure they lead a life of dignity and pride.

The mortal remains of the martyrs are being taken to their respective native places for the last rites.

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