Aurangabad, Dec 19:
Mortal remains of Army Jawan Pradeep Mandle who was killed in Jammu and Kashmir reached Chikalthana Airport on Saturday. His body would be taken to his native place on Sunday.
Pradeep Mandle, who was hailing from Palaskhed (Sindkhedraja, Buldhana) was martyred in Jammu and Kashmir on December 15 while performing his duty.
A pal of gloom descended not only on his family but also on whole village Palaskhed. Mumbai-Aurangabad Air India flight carrying his body landed at Chikalthana Airport at 7 pm today.
Brigadier Upendrasigh Anand, Col Kapil Jodh, Col Ajay Kailas paid tributes by laying a wreath on his body to the soldier. Sub-divisional officer Ramesh Rodge, deputy collector Sangeeta Chavan, deputy commissioner of police Deepak Girhe also paid homage.
Deputy commandant of CISF A Mann, talathi Vishal Magre, Airport Duty officer Syed Feroz and chief security officer Avinash Ranjan were present.
Students of Defence Career Academy and others who present raised slogans. His body would be taken to his native place on Sunday. Currently, it was kept at Cantonment Hospital. Samadhan Mhaske, the cousin of Pradeep who was present, cried to his dead body. All who were present had tears in their eyes to witness this.