JAMMU: A solemn wreath-laying ceremony was held on Sunday to honour Lance Dafadar Baldev Chand, who laid down his life during an anti-terrorist operation in Udhampur district, officials said.
White Knight Corps Chief of Staff, Maj Gen P S Dagar, led the ceremony at the Indian Air Force Station Jammu. The soldier’s mortal remains were later flown to his hometown in Himachal Pradesh for the last rites. Deputy Inspector General of Police (Doda-Kishtwar-Ramban range) Shridhar Patil and several civil officers also paid tributes.
“His supreme sacrifice stands as a beacon of courage and duty, inspiring future generations,” the Army said in a post on X.
Chand was critically injured late Friday when terrorists opened fire on a joint search party of the Army and J&K Police’s Special Operations Group at Kanji in the Seoj Dhar forest between Dudu-Basantgarh (Udhampur) and Bhaderwah (Doda). He later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
The anti-terrorist operation entered its third day on Sunday, with multiple search teams combing the dense forest terrain using drones, sniffer dogs, and advanced surveillance equipment. However, officials said no fresh contact with the hiding terrorists had been established.
