Two brave soldiers of Himachal Pradesh were among the security personnel who laid down their lives while fighting terrorists in Pathankot.
The bodies of Havildar Sanjeevan Singh Rana (50) of Siyun village in Kangra district and Havildar Jagdish Chand (58) of Gola village in Chamba district returned today.
Thousands of people including army jawans, ex-servicemen and villagers from adjoining areas attended the funeral.
Chand, who was among the first security personnel to engage theterrorists, managed to neutralise one of the attackers before beingshot dead, officials said.
Chand is survived by his wife and three children. He had joined dutyat the Pathankot base a month ago after his transfer from Leh in Jammuand Kashmir.
After retiring from the Indian Army, he had joined the Defence Security Corps.
Rana is survived by his wife Pinki Devi, two daughters and a son. Serving in the Indian Army is a tradition with Rana's family as hisfather Rattan Singh was also an army man.
"It is a tragedy not for me but for the nation. I am proud my son'ssacrificed his life for the nation," Rattan Singh said with moisteyes.
Rana had retired from the Dogra Regiment in 2007 and joined theDefence Security Corps.
Urban Development minister Sudhir Sharma, Social Welfare and Empowerment minister Dhani Ram Shandil, former minister Vijay Singh Mankotia and several other dignitaries attended the funeral of Rana at Siyun.
Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri represented the state government at the funeral of Jagdish Chand, at remote Gola village in Chamba district.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today announced financial assistance of Rs 20 lakh each to next of kins of the deceased.
Chief Minister Singh and Governor Acharya Devvrat expressedgrief over the deaths and said that they sacrificed their lives for the unity, integrity and security of the country.
