Pampore Encounter: Capt Tushar Mahajan, Lance Naik Om Parkash laid to rest

Srinagar, Feb 22: The Indian Army on Monday paid a befitting tribute with full military honours to its valiant martyrs Captain Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Parkash.

Both soldiers had attained martyrdom on Sunday during an operation against militants in Pampore.

According to Col NN Joshi, Defence PRO based out of Srinagar, the Army paid homage to the supreme sacrifice by these two soldiers in a solemn ceremony held at Badami Bagh Cantonment.

Paying homage to the martyrs on behalf of the entire Chinar Corps fraternity, Lt Gen Satish Dua, Chinar Corps Commander, said:

"The Army and the entire nation salute their sacrifice, which would not go in vain."

He offered condolences to the bereaved families and reinforced Army's commitment towards their honour and wellbeing.

Late Captain Tushar Mahajan and Lance Naik Om Prakash were members of the team that had launched an operation on February 21 against the terrorists who ambushed CRPF personnel and took refuge in the JKEDI Building Pampore.

They were instrumental in clearing major portion of the multi-storeyed building where the terrorists had hidden. In this process, they engaged the terrorists at close quarters and in the ensuing firefight, suffered grievous injuries to which they later succumbed.

Hailing from Udhampur, Captain Tushar Mahajan is proudly remembered by his peers for his indomitable spirit and a very high camaraderie quotient.

Commissioned at the young age of 21 years in 2010, passion for adventure of this son of the soil led him to join the elite Special Forces where ‘Balidaan' is the motto they live and serve by.

He was an expert combat deep sea diver trained for special operations. The martyr is survived by his parents and a younger brother who is pursuing his education abroad,"

Lance Naik Om Prakash (32) was a seasoned commando with 13 years of operational experience. He had been wounded earlier in 2005 when he had saved a comrade during a counter-terrorist operation.

Later, again for his gallantry in similar operations, he was awarded with the "Asadharan Suraksha Seva Praman Patra" by the Prime Minister of India on August 15, 2013.

Late Lance Naik Om Prakash, hailed from Shimla, Himachal Pradesh and is survived by his parents, wife and two young daughters.

OneIndia News