Nada mourns soldier's death in Indo-Pak border

The mortal remains of Krishnappa Gowda (30), a soldier who was found dead in Indo-Pak border on Monday, was brought to Mangalore in full honour on Wednesday.

Gowda a native of Nada village in Belthangady, was serving in the Indian Army for more than 10 years. He was serving at Punjab as LNK/Dresser and was found dead near the border on Monday. However, the reasons for his death is still unclear and post mortem report is awaited.

The mortal remains arrived at Bajpe Airport at around 2.20 pm. He was received with a gun salute, accompanied by the music of bagpipes accompanied with a slight drizzle. Later, District-In-Charge Minister C T Ravi, Karnataka Legislative Assembly Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat, Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Channappa,  SP Abhishek Goyal, MCC Commissioner Dr Harish Kumar paid a floral tribute to the soldier.

Speaking to media persons, Gowda's younger brother Prakash said that the news came as a shocker. "My brother was married two months ago on June 12 and he left to work on July 13.

On August 13, Krishnappa's wife Latha called him several times but he never picked up the call. Later, we got a call saying he was dead. We did not believe and wanted to confirm the news. On August 14, we got a letter that informed us about his demise. My brother was supposed to come home on August 28 to take his wife with him," he says.

District-in-Charge Minister C T Ravi said that the news regarding his death was not clear. "We shall ensure that the family receives the compensation, they ought to receive,” he said.

The last rites of Gowda was held in his native village Nada. Though the nation celebrated Independence Day on Wednesday, the entire Nada village mourned the death of Gowda.

Krishanppa was the eldest son of Chanana Gowda and Monamma couple. He has four others siblings. His wife is a lecturer in ITI in SKF College, Moodbidre.