Dharmapuri BSF jawan laid to rest in native village

A large number of mourners from Bandarachettipatti attended the funeral procession as the coffin was taken in an army vehicle to the burial ground.

The jawan, who was guarding the country’s border in RS Pura sector, was gunned down by Pakistani troops on Wednesday night.

His body was flown down to Coimbatore on Thursday night and then taken to Dharmapuri on Friday early morning. “We are still not able to believe that our fellow villager has been shot dead in the firing.

Suresh was an outstanding sports person and used to make contributions for sports events for children in the village. He always used to say that encouraging children in sports will prevent them from going astray,” said M Vijayakumar, a family friend, who is a lecturer in a private college.

State Higher Education Minister KP Anbalagan consoled the family members of the jawan and handed over a solatium of Rs 20 lakh, which was announced by Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami.

Dharmapuri Collector K Vivekanandan and Superintendent of Police Bandi Gangadhar placed wreaths as a mark of respect to the martyr.

BSF personnel gave the Final Guard of Honour with a 21-gun salute, while the family members performed the last rites. The deceased jawan is survived by wife Janaki and two children, besides elderly parents.