A pall of gloom has descended on Sankonatti of Athani taluk as the news of the death of 31-year-old Cfn. (VM) Bharateshwar, an Indian Army soldier, reached the village on Friday.
He was one among the 18 Army men who were killed in an ambush by militants in Chandel district of Manipur on Thursday morning.
Part of convoy
Bharateshwar, son of Rayappaa and Godavari Padanad, belonged to an economically backward family. He joined the Army in 2006 and was among the military convoy consisting of 29 personnel that was ambushed by the militants, leaving 18 dead and 11 injured.
Bharateshwar is survived by parents, wife Sangeeta and two children — Chiranjeevi and Hrutik — who are less than five years old.
The Athani taluk administration said information was not available on when the body would be delivered to the family.
However, official sources said the body could be expected on Sunday, and the last rites would be performed with due military honours, sources said here on Saturday.
The Army man was one among the 18 who were killed in a militant attack in Chandel district of Manipur
on Thursday
