Nakul Shivani/ New Delhi

The residents of village Padgampora in Awantipora, South Kashmir, paid tributes to Army jawan Pawan Kumar of 55RR who lost his life in an encounter with militants who were hiding in a mosque.

The villagers organised candle march in memory of  the fallen soldier Pawan Kumar, who lost his life because he choose not to open fire in the direction of the mosque our of respect and under orders of the seniors.

Two terrorists hiding inside the mosque opened fire while he couldnt retalte and paid with his life.

On Friday night scores of locals came out on to the streets to pay tributes to Sepoy Pawan Kumar recognising his sacrifice while saving a religious place. Both terrorists were killed in the cencouter.

One of the two terrorists killed was responsible for the killing of Kashmir Pandit Sanjay Kumar on Sunday.

More than two thousand people participated in the candlelight march in Sepoy Pawan Kumar’s memory. People were heard shouting slogans like ‘Pawan Kumar Amar Rahe’.

Locals of #Pulwama, kashmir salute Sep #PawanKumar who saved Mosque and also killed terrorist in Hand to Hand Combat. Candle march for brave warrior of @ChinarcorpsIA. 🇮🇳 @indiatvnews
“Sepoy Pawan Kumar Amar Rahai” pic.twitter.com/M7wmoavcsz

— Manish Prasad (@manishindiatv) March 3, 2023

26-year-old Pawan who hailed from Himachal Pradesh was part of the team that was tasked with the responsibility of eliminating the two terrorists whose presence in the area was reported to the local police and the CRPF.

Pawan Kumar was shot during the operation and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital. He was part of the 55 Rashtriya Rifles.

The terrorists, Aqib Mushtaq Bhat and Aijaz Ahmed Bhat had taken refuge in a mosque in Padgampora village. Investigations by security forces revealed that despite the two terrorists coming from different organisations, they had come together to target minorities, security forces and other vulnerable targets in Jammu and Kashmir.

We lost one of our young soldier Sepoy Pawan Kumar in a counter terrorism op in Kashmir yesterday. This is his last photo. Despite being shot he killed a terrorist in a hand to hand combat before he gave up his own life for us.
Salute you brother!#Soldiering#Jaihind 🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/oEjutULQ28

— Major Madhan Kumar 🇮🇳 (@major_madhan) March 2, 2023

Sepoy Pawan Kumar was cremated with full military honours in his native village in Rampur district of Himachal Pradesh. Thousands of people lined-up the street on way to the crematorium showering petals.

Last rites of Sepoy Pawan Kumar were held in his native village in Himachal Pradesh

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Pawan Kumar’s father Shishu Pal speaking to reporters said he was proud of his son’s sacrifice for the country and added,” If I had more sons I would have sent them to the Army.”