The death toll in the Uri attack reached 19 after 30-year-old Pitabas Manjhi, a Rashtriya Rifles, gunner breathed his last on Saturday at the 92 Base Hospital of the Army in Srinagar.
One month away from fatherhood, Manjhi last visited his home on 26 August and had leave starting on 25 September sanctioned.
The sole bread-winner of his family, which includes five brothers, was supposed to reach his village Danajhola in Komna block of Nuapara district, reports The Indian Express.
A day after four terrorists attacked an Army camp in Uri, killing 17 soldiers, Manjhi’s family tried to contact him but to no avail.
A team from Komna police station confirmed his death on Saturday. The first Army recruit from his village, Manjhi was cremated in his paddy field.
(With inputs from The Indian Express.)
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