Siachen avalanche: Deceased jawan laid to rest

VIJAYAWADA: The mortal remains of Sepoy Mustaq Ahmed, who was killed in the recent Siachen avalanche, were laid to rest at his native village in Andhra Pradesh with full military honours this morning.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishnamurthy and leaders from various political parties paid homage to the jawan before the burial was performed at Parnapalli village.

Scores of villagers also turned up at the funeral and paid their last respects to the deceased soldier.

Krishnamurthy met the family members of Ahmed and handed them a cheque Rs 25 lakh.

The AP government had yesterday decided to pay Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia to the family of Sepoy Ahmed. The decision was taken at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu.

A member of Ahmed's family will also be given a government job, a communication from the Chief Minister's Office earlier said.

Ahmed, who hails from Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, was one of the 10 army personnel killed in the Siachen avalanche earlier this month.

His body was taken to Nandyal in Kurnool district last evening and later brought to his native Parnapalli village.