Tearful adieu to IAF commando

SRINAGAR: The eyes were wet as the Army today paid floral tributes to the IAF Garud commando, Corporal Jyoti Prakash Nirala, who was killed in a gunfight with militants in Kashmir.
Nirala, a resident of Badladih area in Bihar's Rohtas district, was killed during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Bandipora yesterday. He was a member of the Indian Air Force's Garud Commando Force.
"The Army paid tributes to Nirala, who made the supreme sacrifice during counter-terrorist operation at Hajin in Bandipora," an army spokesman said here.
He said the IAF Garud was operating with the Army for operational experience and training.
"In a solemn ceremony at Badamibagh Cantonment here, Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen J S Sandhu, and all ranks, along with Air Commodore V S Choudhary, AOC 1 Wing AF, paid homage to Nirala on behalf of a proud nation," the spokesman said.
He said the officials from other security agencies also joined in paying their last respects to the slain commando.
Nirala (31) had joined the IAF in 2005.
His mortal remains were flown for last rites to his native place, where he would be laid to rest with full military honours, the spokesman said.
He said in this hour of grief, the Army stands in solidarity with the bereaved families of the martyr and the IAF.
Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 11 lakh for the family of Jyoti Prakash Nirala.
In his condolence message, Kumar said that the entire country would remember the supreme sacrifice of the brave son of Bihar.
The chief minister announced an ex gratia of Rs 11 lakh to the next of the kin of the commando, an official release said, adding that Nirala's body would be cremated with full police honours.
Kumar prayed to the almighty to give courage and strength to the bereaved family to bear the loss, the release said.