Tributes paid to IAF commandos

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 12

In a solemn ceremony at the Chandigarh Air Force Station today, tributes were paid to the two commandos of the IAF’s Garud special force who were killed during an anti-terrorist operation in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir yesterday.

Wreaths were placed on the coffins carrying the mortal remains of Sergeant Milind Kishor Khairnar and Corporal Nilesh Kumar Nayan by Air-Vice Marshal SK Jha, Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Advance Headquarters, Western Air Command, Air Commodore Arun Saklani AOC 12 Wing, Air Commodore SK Sinha, AOC 3 Base Repair Depot, other officers as well as colleagues of the martyrs.

The two commandos were grievously injured during a terrorist encounter and succumbed to their injuries in a military hospital. They were posted to Chandigarh and were on attachment with the Army in Jammu and Kashmir for operational experience.

They were part of a joint security team with the Army during a combined cordon and search operation on October 11 at Hajin village of Bandipora. Two terrorists were also killed in the encounter.

The mortal remains had been airlifted from Srinagar to Chandigarh yesterday for onward journey to their respective native places. Sergeant Kishor (35) hailed from Nasik in Maharashtra and had spent 15 years in the Air Force, while 30-year-old Corporal Nilesh Kumar belonged to Bhagalpur in Bihar and had a service of 10 years. Both leave behind their wives and small children.