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Sepoy Mastan Wali buried with full honours

Shireen in Hyderabad

The body of sepoy Shaikh Mastan Wali, who was killed while fighting the intruders in the Kargil sector on June 21, was received with full military honours at the Begumpet airport here late on Wednesday night.

Mastan Wali's body, kept in a coffin, was flown here by Indian Airlines from New Delhi and placed on a specially laid podium at the airport for nearly 200 army personnel to pay their last respects.

Andhra Pradesh sub-area commander Brigadier M V Gangadharan, Commanding Officer of the Bison ASC Battalion Colonel Satheesh K Konickal and State Sainik Welfare Board Director Captain Nachu Venkateswara Rao received the body of the sepoy belonging to 899-animal transport company of the Army Service Corps. The last post was played for the valiant soldier.

Twenty six-year-old Mastan Wali was killed while displaying exemplary bravery in the battlefield in the Drass sub-sector on Monday. He had joined the army in 1992 after discontinuing his pre-university studies. He is survived by his aged parents and three brothers.

In a statement, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and grief over the death of Sepoy Mastan Wali while defending the country. He conveyed his heart-felt condolences to the bereaved family members. "The government and people of Andhra Pradesh feel proud of the great sons of the state who are fighting in Kargil sector to protect the motherland," he said.

The body of Mastan Wali was taken to his native town, Nizampatnam, in Guntur district with an army escort party for performing the last rites. The burial took place today evening with full military and police honours. Panchayat Raj Minister Dr Kodela Siva Prasada Rao represented the state government at Mastan Wali's funeral.

The Kargil Crisis

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