Shopian attack: Mehbooba Mufti pays tribute to soldiers killed in assault

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti Thursday paid floral tributes to two soldiers, including a Major rank officer, who were killed as militants opened fire on a search party in Shopian district of Kashmir.

J&K CM M Mufti, Dy CM N Singh&J Sandhu,GOC 15 Corps at wreath-laying ceremony of Army personnel who lost their lives in #Shopian encounter. pic.twitter.com/TBXWGcuXVR

— ANI (@ANI) August 3, 2017

Major Kamlesh Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin Chhultim were killed, and a jawan was injured in the firing by militants at Zainapora in Shopian district during a cordon and search operation launched by security forces. [caption id=“attachment_2976050” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. PTI[/caption] Mufti and her deputy Nirmal Singh, joined Chinar Corps Commander Lt. Gen. JS Sandhu and officials from civil and police administration, to pay rich tributes to Major Pandey and Sepoy Tanzin Chhultim, in a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh cantonment in Srinagar, an army official said. Major Pandey was a spirited and daring officer who joined the army in June 2012, said the official. He hailed from Almora in Uttrakhand and is survived by his wife and a two-year-old daughter. Sepoy Chhultim (25), a resident of Lahaul Spiti area of Himachal Pradesh, had joined the army in September 2012, the official added. Sepoy Chhultim will be remembered by his comrades as a true patriot and is survived by his parents. The mortal remains of the martyrs will be taken to their native places for conducting last rites with full military honours, the official said, adding the army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families and remains committed to their dignity and well being.