LUCKNOW: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today paid glowing tributes to Colonel M N Rai, who died fighting militants in Jammu and Kashmir and sanctioned Rs 30 lakh of financial aid to his family members.
Recalling his efforts to reach out to the youth in the militancy-hit region, Yadav said that said such sacrifice only strengthens the resolve to fight elements inimical to peace.
Rai, 39, commanding officer of the 42nd Rashtriya Rifles, and head constable Sanjeev Kumar Singh Special Operations Group (SOG) of Jammu and Kashmir Police were killed during the encounter in Tral in Pulawama district yesterday, in which two militants were also gunned down.
Yadav said that in this moment of grief, UP government was with family members of the late Colonel and announced Rs 30 lakh financial assistance to them, an official spokesman said here.
Hailing from Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, Col Rai belonged to the 9 Gorkha Rifles but was on deputation to RR. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and a son.
The commanding officer was killed only a day after he had won a military medal on the Republic Day. (Agencies)
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