‘He changed the image of Azamgarh’

Naik Panna Lal Yadav was one of five men from his generation who joined the Army from Azamgarh’s Mauliya village. On Friday, that number came down to four. Panna Lal last spoke to his wife on Thursday, when he promised her he would see her in January. His family has now been told his body would reach Azamgarh on Sunday. “He is the first Army jawan from our area who died fighting terrorists. Azamgarh has been called a terror hub, but Panna Lal’s bravery proved there are youths in the district who can give their life for the country,” said pradhan Chandra Bhan Yadav. The village head was referring to Azamgarh being in news since the 2008 Batla House encounter, after which many youths from there were found to be key operatives of the Indian Mujahideen. Panna Lal (33) is survived by his wife Neera Devi and two children.