Poonch, July 15: Havildar Mohammad Iqbal of the Assam Rifles, who was killed in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Nagaland earlier this week, was laid to rest in his native Kallar village of Poonch district on Wednesday. A large number of people, including senior civil and police officials, Army personnel, public representatives and local residents, participated in his last rites to pay their final respects.
The mortal remains of the soldier were brought to his ancestral village, where mourners gathered in large numbers as the tricolour-draped coffin arrived. Emotional scenes unfolded as family members, relatives and villagers bade farewell to the soldier, who was accorded full military honours before burial.
Havildar Mohammad Iqbal was killed on July 13 when a suspected IED exploded near an Assam Rifles convoy in Chümoukedima district of Nagaland. The blast also left four security personnel and a civilian injured.
The attack targeted the convoy while it was moving through the area, triggering a massive security response. Investigating agencies have since launched a probe to identify those responsible for the explosion.
The death of the soldier has cast a pall of gloom over his native village, with residents remembering him as a dedicated serviceman who served the nation with courage and commitment.
Several officials and public representatives visited the bereaved family to offer condolences and expressed solidarity with them during their hour of grief. They paid tributes to the fallen soldier and prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul.
The funeral concluded with full military honours as uniformed personnel presented the ceremonial salute, while mourners raised patriotic slogans in memory of the fallen Havildar. [KNT]
