Bihar raises compensation for three soldiers killed in Uri

Patna, Sep 20: Following criticism on social media for announcing a Rs 5 lakh each compensation for the three martyred soldiers in the Uri attack, the Bihar government on Tuesday raised the compensation to Rs 11 lakh, officials said.

"Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered to increase the compensation from earlier announced Rs 5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh each for the kin of the three soldiers from the state, who lost their lives in the terror attack on Sunday," said an official.

Meanwhile, the bodies of the soldiers -- Sepoy Rakesh Singh of Kaimur district, Naik S.K. Vidyarthi from Gaya and Havildar Ashok Kumar Singh from Bhojpur district -- reached their villages on Tuesday. Thousands of people thronged for last glimpses of their 'heros'.

As per the state government's decision, the last rites of the martyred soldiers would be performed with full state honours.

All the three soldiers were from 6th Battalion of the Bihar Regiment.

IANS