AR pays tribute to Ashok Chakra awardee Hangpan Dada

Dibrugarh: Assam Rifles on Monday paid homage to late havildar Hangpan Dada, Ashok Chakra (posthumous), with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hangpan Dada Memorial in Borduria in Arunachal Pradesh’s Tirap district, marking the 77th Republic Day.Havildar Hangpan Dada of 35 Rashtriya Rifles (35 RR), an elite counter-insurgency battalion of the Indian Army affiliated with the Assam Regiment, was killed in action in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir in May 2016 at the age of 36. His actions were credited with foiling a major infiltration attempt.He was posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra, India’s highest peacetime military decoration, in Aug 2016.The ceremony was attended by officers, under officers and subordinate officers of Assam Rifles, along with members of the civil administration. Participants included Borduria-Bogapani MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, the zila panchayat chairman, representatives of Arunachal Pradesh Police and other officials.“Havildar Hangpan Dada is not just a martyr of Arunachal Pradesh, but a pride of the entire nation. His supreme sacrifice in the line of duty will forever inspire our youth to serve the motherland with courage and dedication. We must ensure that his legacy lives on in the hearts of every citizen, especially our children,” Lowangdong said.School children and family members also attended the programme and visited the memorial museum, where they were briefed on Dada’s life and service.“Havildar Hangpan Dada exemplified the highest traditions of the Indian Armed Forces. His selfless act of bravery in foiling the infiltration attempt saved countless lives and upheld the security of our nation. He remains an inspiration to every soldier serving on our borders, reminding us that duty comes before self,” an Assam Rifles officer said.