Three Soldiers From Karnataka Among 5 Killed In J&K Accident

Of the five soldiers of the 11th Battalion of the Maratha Light Infantry who died after their vehicle fell into a gorge in Jammu and Kashmir's Balnoi area of Mendhar in Poonch sector on Tuesday, three hailed from Karnataka.

- EXPRESS NEWS SERVICE @Belagavi, Udupi

The soldiers from Karnataka have been identified as Subedar Dayanand Tirkannavar (44) from Honnihal in Belagavi district, Sepoy Mahesh Nagappa Marigonda (25) from Mahalingapura in Rabakavi Banahatti taluk in Bagalkot district, and Lance Havaldar Anoop Poojary (33) from Beejady in Kundapur taluk of Udupi district.

Subedar Tirkannavar, who was leading the team, was to retire next year after serving in the Army for the last 25 years. He is survived by his parents, wife, and two children. His father, a retired postman, served in Sambra village for 30 years before settling down in Honnihal. Tirkannavar maintained a deep connection with Sambra, visiting often, including during the recent Lakshmi Devi pilgrimage.

The tragic news was withheld from most family members, including his wife, until Wednesday evening to spare them immediate grief.