KANNUR: A Kannur native was among the three soldiers killed in a militant attack on an Army convoy at Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway on Saturday. Mattannur Kodolipram native Naik (Gnr) Ratheesh C., 35, was killed along with Gunner Farate Sourabh Nandkumar, 33, from Pune and Gunner Shashikant Pandey, 24, from Dhanbad while two others jawans were injured in the attack at a place crowded with civilians in Pampore. The Army men did not retaliate considering public safety.
It is learnt that Ratheesh who was on a one month leave left to Jammur on December 9. The mortal remains of the soldier will reach Calicut International Airport on Monday 8 am and will be taken to Mattannur for public homage at 11 am. Ratheesh, who had joined Army in 2001 is survived by his wife Jyothi and a four month old son Kashinath. Ratheesh is the son of late Raghavan and C. Omana. Koodali Grama Panchayat will observe hartal till 1 pm on Monday as a mark of respect to the martyr.
