AMN /

Chief of Army Staff, General Dalbir Singh paying homage at the mortal remains of soldiers, at Palam Airport, in New Delhi.

The mortal remains of the Siachen brave heart, Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed of Madras Regiment was laid to rest today with State honours in his native village Parnapalle in Bandi Atmakur mandal of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh. Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed attained martyrdom in an avalanche strike at Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir early this month. Family members, relatives and large number of people paid their last respects to the Sepoy placed at Parnapalle panchayat office early in the day.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K.E. Krishnamurthy, District Collector Ch. Vijayamohan and MLC S. Chakrapani Reddy placed wreaths on behalf of the government and paid homage to the martyr. Mr. Krishnamurthy offering heartfelt condolences to the bereaved members of the family presented a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh to the widow of the Sepoy. He said the State government would offer a government job to the window Nasimunnisa, depending on her educational qualification besides allotting a house site of 300 sq. yards at either Kurnool or Nandyal.

Opposition leader Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy also visited Parnapalle village and paid homage to the soldier and condoled his family. A guard of honour by the Army was performed while the Police personnel fired into the air three rounds as a mark of respect to the brave heart who laid down his life on call of duty for the nation.