SAIDAPUR(NAVALGUND) :Sepoy Hasansab Khudavand, martyred in a landmine explosion at Leh in Kashmir on Friday, was laid to rest at his native village of Saidapur on Monday.
As the body arrived, mourners chanted slogans such as ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai,’ ‘Hasansab Amar Rahe’ and ‘Hindustan Zindabad’.
Hasansab, 25, was attached to the 21 Madras Infantry and martyred with a colleague during a combing operation.
“A landmine went off when he stepped on it,” said one of his unit members attending the funeral.
Hundreds of villagers showered petals when the ambulance carrying his mortal remains arrived at the village at 2 pm.
Youths took out a bike rally from Annigeri to Saidapur in honour of the solider.
The coffin, wrapped in the tricolour, was kept for public viewing at the Government Primary School, where he had studied.
His body was buried after a special namaz at the Idgah Ground outside the village.
His uncle Rajesab Khudavand said: “Hasan always wanted to join the army. His family was not financially sound, but he worked hard to join the force five years ago.”
Hasansab’s mother Jannat Bi and father Imamsab were in shock.
Navalgund MLA N H Konareddi and Kundagol MLA C S Shivalli each announced a compensation of `25,000 to the family.
Deputy Commissioner S B Bommanalli, Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Kumar Meena, Divisional Commissioner Chandrashekhar and Additional Deputy Commissioner B C Satish were present.
On Sunday, District Minister Vinay Kulkarni had announced `1 lakh from his purse to the family and also promised to help get compensation from the state government.