Hundreds bid farewell to Manipur braveheart martyred in J&K

Imphal, Dec. 4 (IANS): The Border Security Force (BSF) on Friday offered full force honours during the last rites of Sub-Inspector Paotinsat Guite, who was martyred in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

In a gloomy ceremony, the BSF paid homage to the gallant para-military officer on behalf of the nation as hundreds of villagers and administrative officials, senior BSF personnel, family members and friends bid tearful adieu to the braveheart of Manipur at his native village Maphou Kuki in Kangpokpi district.

Guite’s body had reached Imphal on Thursday afternoon and was taken to his village in northern Manipur on Friday.

Wreaths were placed on his tricolour-draped body by BSF’s officiating Deputy Inspector General Hidam Shubol Singh, officiating Commandant Vikash Kumar and senior officer Awadhesh Kumar of the 182 Battalion of BSF along with local police and district officials.

BSF sources said that Guite of 59 Battalion of the BSF made the supreme sacrifice and got martyred while fighting against Pakistan trained militants during an attack on the BSF post along the LOC in Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir on December 1.

“Leading his troops from the front with the sole purpose of defending his post and the borders of India, Guite fought heroically and killed a terrorist besides injuring two others during the gun battle,” a BSF officer told IANS.

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh said in a tweet earlier: “Salute to the braveheart P. Guite from Manipur, who was serving as a SI in BSF, attained martyrdom during cease fire violation in Rajouri. My condolences to the bereaved family. May the noble soul rest in eternal peace.”

Guite is the third force personnel from the northeast region to be martyred in terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir within a month.

On November 13, Indian Army Havildar Hardhan Chandra Roy from Dhubri district in Assam was martyred in unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in J&K.

On November 8, BSF constable Sudip Kumar Sarkar from Tripura was killed in a terrorist attack in Machil sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.