Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to 3 martyred soldiers in Uri from Bihar

Patna, Sep 19: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia each to three soldiers, hailing from Bihar, who were killed in the terror attack at Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

The CM also announced to accord full state honour to the three martyred soldiers, who belonged to the Bihar regiment.

The martyred soldiers have been identified as S K Vidyarthi from Gaya, Rakesh Singh from Kaimur and Ashok Kumar Singh from Ara in Bhojpur district.

The CM said in an official statement that while minister in-charge of the district of Kaimur and Gaya would be present at the cremation of Rakesh Singh and S K Vidyarthi respectively, the funeral of Ashok Kumar Singh in Ara would be attended by Industries minister Jai Kumar Singh.

Kumar expressed deep sorrow over the terror attack that left 17 jawans dead yesterday. "The country will always remember their martyrdom," the CM said.

He prayed to the Almighty to provide strength to the family of the martyred soldiers and said the entire state was with them in this hour of grief.

Meanwhile, sorrow descended at the native villages of the three soldiers with their family and neighbours demanding a matching and stern action against Pakistan for this dastardly act.

In Boknari village of Gaya, an angry Kiran Devi, wife of soldier S K Vidyarthi, sought revenge against Pakistan.

The armyman's daughter Aarti Kumari fought back tears when she said her father died a martyr and demanded a befitting action against Pakistan.

Kin and fellow villagers of soldiers Rakesh Singh of Nuwan village in Kaimur district and Ashok Kumar Singh of Ara in Bhojpur district, bid a tearful adieu to the slain soldiers.

The bodies of the three are expected to reach Patna airport by evening from where it would be sent to respective destinations.

PTI