The funeral of Coorg warrior Kechamada Thilak, who died in an avalanche  in Jammu fourteen days ago, was held with full military honour at his native place Isodlur at 11 am on Thursday.

It took 11 days to bring his body back from Jammu due to continued snow fall. Relatives and family members bid adieu to the deceased soldier as per Kodava traditions.

A large number of people gathered there paid final tributes to the soldier with tearful eyes. They paid heart felt tributes with the slogan ‘Kechamada Thilak amar rahe’.

Army and district armed force paid final tributes through gun salute. The lament of the deceased warrior’s mother, brother and other relatives was beyond words when the body arrived at his home by 6.45 am. It was a heartbreaking scene when his mother Muttamma and sister Rekha kept on lamenting recalling Thilak’s memoirs.

Tears rolled from the eyes of his father Chittiyappa, who had fainted with sorrow. Subedar V P Ramachandra handed over the national flag wrapped around the coffin to Thilak’s mother.

ZP members Chithra Ramesh, K M Balakrishna, Tahsildar Shwetha, Taluk Panchayat Vice President Rani Narayan, Servicemen Welfare and Rehabilitation Department Manager Ramesh, Joint Director Dr N S Prakash representing Union Home Ministry, Hudikeri Gram Panchayat President Savithri among others were present on the occasion.

Earlier to this in the morning, Hudiker Revenue Inspector P B Muttaiah, on behalf of the taluk administration, laid a wreath on the coffin when the mortal remains of the warrior was brought in a private ambulance, escorted by a military vehicle, at Anechowkuru Gate, the  border of the district.