Udayamperoor bids adieu to martyred soldier

Udayamperoor: When her routine phone call with Antony on Monday morning ended happily as usual, Anna Diana has never thought it would be the last time she heard her husband’s voice. Though her repeated calls in the evening went unattended, Diana thought Antony would call back after his duty time along the “temporarily peaceful LoC”, as he mentioned.But instead, the return calls came from his superiors informing about Antony’s martyrdom.
On Wednesday, Udayamperoor bid tearful adieu to its brave soldier, Lance Naik Antony Sebastian K M (34), who was killed in an unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistan army in Poonch district. Diana and Antony’s mother Sheela, who stood firm till then, broke down at the sight of Antony’s six-year-old son Aidel Michael kissing his father for one last time.
His mortal remains were buried at 5pm on Wednesday at Emperor Emmanuel Church cemetery, Muriyad, Iringalakuda, after his family and friends paid final respects. Ernakulam district collector K Mohammed Y Safirulla and Anwar Sadath, MLA received the body at Cochin airport on Wednesday morning and brought it to his sister’s house at Udayamperoor at 10.30am where thousands arrived to pay respects. The body was accompanied by Army personnel and officers of 70 Field Regiment of Artillery, which Antony was part of.
Antony was hit by Pakistani sniper fire while trying to save grievously-injured Hawildar Marimuthu, with whom he had been securing an Army post along the LoC. Antony was in the bunker when a sniper fire hit Marimuthu. When Antony came out for Marimuthu’s rescue, he too was hit on the chest. Though both of them were taken to Poonch general hospital, Antony succumbed to injury and Marimuthu is recovering, said Shiju S, who belongs to Antony’s regiment. Antony was about to end his 16-year service prematurely by March 2019.
Guard of Honour by Indian Navy and Kerala police was given before the body was taken to the church. LSGD minister A C Moideen paid respects to Antony representing the state government. MP K V Thomas, MLA Anoop Jacob and former MLA K Babu also paid tributes.