Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 28: Army today paid a befitting tribute with full military honours to its valiant soldier Havildar Hangpan Dada who had attained martyrdom yesterday during an operation in Nowgam Sector near the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district.
Four militants were also killed in the fierce encounter. Laying wreath to salute the brave soldier’s final journey, Lt Gen Satish Dua, the Chinar Corps Commander, said such exemplary acts always serve as an inspiration to the serving generation.
This ultimate sacrifice in line of duty will continue to motivate the Chinar Corps fraternally. Homage was paid to the valour and sacrifice of the braveheart in a solemn ceremony held at Badami Bagh Cantonment.
Dada led his team from the front and located a group of militants in the forward area of Naugam sector on early morning of May 26. Realising the importance of time & gravity of situation Dada led a small team of six men and started engaging the militants with effective fire.
He closed in with the militants and brought precision fire, killing two of them on the spot. Displaying utter disregard to personal safety Dada crawled towards the two more militants hiding behind the boulders.
He charged on to the location with his personal weapon blazing and killed the third but in the process was hit by a volley of bullet that severely injured him.
Showing undeterred determination & grit he kept engaging the fourth militant till the reinforcement along with the Company Commander arrived. Subsequently, the fourth militant was also eliminated. While being evacuated, the brave heart succumbed to his injuries and made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.
It was sheer grit and determination of Dada that he undertook the daring mission in extremely difficult terrain with height varying upto 13,000 feet in Shamsabari range to eliminate four heavily-armed militants.
The 36-year-old Dada was enrolled in the Assam Regiment in year 1997. He was robust NCO (Non Commissioned Officer) with 19 year of operational experience.
He was proudly remembered by his peers for his indomitable spirit and a very high camaraderie quotient. He was an expert sharp shooter and a noble soul who was known as Dada in his regimental for his helping nature. Late Dada, hailed from Borduria, Arunanchal Pradesh and is survived by his wife, son and a daughter.
The mortal remains have been taken to his native village where the last rites will be conducted with full military honours.
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