Final rites of Major Manish Pitambare performed

Thane, Nov 29 (UNI) Final rites of Major Manish Hiraji Pitambare, who was killed in a militant attack in the Kashmir Valley, were performed here early today.

Major Manish, resident of Chandanwadi area of the city, was among the four killed in south Kashmir district of Anantnag while fighting the terrorists yesterday.

Pall of gloom spread over the entire Thane city with the news of the death of the young soldier. Manish was the third defence personnel from Thane to be killed in an attack by terrorists, the other two being Vijay More and an Air Force jawan, who were killed two months ago.

The body of the young major was received in the city at around midnight and was taken to his house by the Army jawans.

Thane Mayor Rajan Vichare, MLA and Thane district Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde, MLCs Bunty Avhad and Sanjay Kelkar were present for the funeral rites.

The Army officers and jawans besides Thane Corporation firemen and the local police gave a salute to the martyr amidst thousands of mourners at his residence.

At around 0100 hrs the body was taken to the Jawhar Baug crematorium, Mukthi Dham for the funeral rites. It was stopped for some time at the old house of the Major for the residents to pay tribute.

A direct NDA recruit, 32-year-old Manish was in the Army since the last ten years and was attached to 3 Para.

He had lost his father two years back. He is survived by his wife and a one-year-old daughter.

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