Parrikar to visit J&K, pay tributes to first Param Vir Chakra recipient

Srinagar: Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar is scheduled to visit Kashmir on Thursday to pay homage to the country's first Param Vir Chakra recipient Major Somnath on his 69th death anniversary.

The Defence Minister will join senior army officers and other ranks in paying tribute to Major Somnath near the Srinagar Airport in Budgam district, an army official said.

He said Parikkar is likely to be briefed by army officials on the situation along the Line of Control arising due to the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the wake of last month's surgical strikes and the anti-militancy operations in the hinterland.

Major Somnath was the first recipient of the Param Vir Chakra, the highest military honour. He was awarded the medal posthumously for his bravery in the Kashmir operations in November 1947.

He laid down his life while evicting Pakistani raiders from Srinagar Airport during the war with Pakistan in 1947-48 in Kashmir. He belonged to the 4th Kumaon Regiment.