Body of Nadia paratrooper killed in J&K reaches Kol

Tehatta (Nadia): The mortal remains of Havaldar Jhantu Ali Sheikh, the paratrooper who laid down his life during an encounter with terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir's Udhampur district, reached Kolkata at 10 pm on Friday night. The martyr's body will be kept in Barrackpore overnight and taken to his native village, Pathar Ghata in Nadia, on Saturday morning where preparations are underway to accord him a hero's welcome and bid him a final farewell. Sheikh, 36, a trooper of the Indian Army's elite 6 Para (Special Forces), was martyred on Thursday during a search operation in the dense Dudu-Basantgarh region. The Army, along with the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), Border Security Force (BSF), and Jammu & Kashmir Police, paid solemn tributes to him at a wreath-laying ceremony held at the 166 Military Hospital in Jammu. Leading the tributes was Major General Shailender Singh, Chief of Staff of the White Knight Corps, who, along with other senior officials, honoured the soldier's sacrifice with military salutes and floral wreaths. As security forces continue their search for the group of three terrorists believed to be hiding in the Basantgarh belt, back home, an atmosphere of grief has gripped Pathar Ghata. Jhantu's wife, Jhuma Bibi, who had been in Agra, reached her village early on Friday morning with their two children Tanvir, 11, and Rishita, 6. Family members had initially concealed the news from her, telling her that her husband had sustained a bullet injury to the shoulder and was being brought home after surgery. She came to know about the passing away of her husband when she saw garlanded photographs and mourners after reaching her village. According to Amina Sheikh, Jhantu's niece, Jhuma collapsed in grief upon learning the truth. "Bring me poison, we three will take it. You all brought me here with lies," she reportedly cried. Since then, she has been inconsolable. Both the children have been asking about the whereabouts of their father. The tragedy has cast a pall of gloom over the household. Jhantu's mother, unaware of her son's demise, has remained bedridden and delusional, murmuring: "My son is ok, he is at work." His father has withdrawn into silence, briefly speaking to local people coming to pay respects. Preparations are underway near the family home to receive the body with dignity. A pandal and pulpit have been erected next to the village mosque, where the final rites will be held. Neighbours and relatives have been flocking to the house, offering condolences and discussing the sacrifice of a brave son of the soil.