A memorial to be built in honour of slain Thane major

Thane, Nov 30 (UNI) Thane Mayor Rajan Vichare today announced that a befitting memorial will be built here in honour of the slain soldier from Thane, Major Manish Pitambare, who laid down his life fighting terrorists in Jammu Kashmir.

It is pertinent to note here that the late Major Manish who died during a military operation in Kashmir on Tuesday, was instrumental in cracking the Mumbai serial train blasts. Pitambare and his troops had arrested 30-year-old Taufiq Akmal Hashmi, a 'material witness' in the case. It was Hashmi who later revealed details of the ISI and LeT's role in the blasts. His confession, which will be recorded before a MCOCA court will be of paramount importance to the Anti-terrorism squad in getting 13 accused convicted for their roles in the serial Mumbai train blasts of 11/7.

The Mayor also promised a job for the slain hero's widow in the Thane Municipal corporation and monetary compensation of Rs 5 lakh.

Meanwhile, at the Maharashtra Vidyalaya where Manish had done his schooling, students paid rich tribute to their alumini, and observed two minutes silence.

A letter from the Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh condoling the death of Major Manish, in which he has described his death as a great loss, was today delivered to his family members.

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