SRINAGAR, May 28 - It was sheer grit and determination of 36-year-old Havildar Hangpan Dada that saw him fight valiantly at the 13,000-feet high Shamsabari range to eliminate four heavily-armed terrorists who infiltrated into North Kashmir from PoK before he laid down his life.
A senior Army official said that the presence of mind of Dada, a native of village Boduria in far-flung Arunachal Pradesh, saved lives of his team members who were coming under heavy fire from the terrorists.
It was the team of Havildar, who is known as just Dada, which spotted the movement of terrorists in the area on Thursday and lost no time in engaging them in an encounter that spilled over to Friday. Enrolled in Assam Regiment in 1997, Dada was posted with 35 Rashtriya Rifles. The Army official said that he was injured badly in the encounter as the terrorists who crossed over from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir(PoK) were having a slight height advantage.
He displayed raw courage, unflinching grit, presence of mind and with utter disregard to his personal safety and despite bleeding profusely, discharged his duties and made the supreme sacrifice for the nation, the official said.
His body was being taken to his native village where the last rites will be conducted with military honours. The Havaldar is survived by his wife Chasen Lowang, daughter Roukhin who will turn 10 on June 30 and six-year-old son Senwang.
Condolence: Arunachal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa and Chief Minister Kalikho Pul today condoled the death of Army Havildar Hangpang Dada.
Conveying his condolence to the bereaved family, Rajkhowa said Dada�s death is a reminder to all about the extraordinary sacrifices made by the people of Arunachal Pradesh for the country, a Rajbhawan release said. Pul in his condolence message said, �I am shocked over the tragic news of the death of a true soldier. He gave his life guarding the nation�s border.� � PTI
