Last Rites Of Ex Army Officer Killed In Gaza Performed In Pune

The last rites of Colonel (retd) Waibhav Anil Kale, a former Indian army officer who was killed in Rafah region of Gaza earlier this week while working with the United Nations (UN), were performed here on Friday with full state honours.

The body of the 46-year-old former infantry officer were flown here earlier in the day, and kept at his residence in Kalyaninagar for some time before they were taken to the crematorium in Pune Cantonment.

Besides family members, his colleagues in the army, course-mates from the National Defence Academy (NDA), friends and government officials were present at the crematorium.

Wrapped in the Indian tri-colour and the UN flag, he was cremated with full state honours.

Colonel Kale, who had joined the UN as a security service coordinator two months ago, was killed on Monday while travelling in a vehicle carrying the UN flag when it came under fire.

Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, had said that the UN had established a fact-finding panel to look into the deadly attack.

Originally from Nagpur, Colonel Kale had retired from the army prematurely in 2022, and settled down in Pune before joining the UN.

Harshad Kale, a cousin, recalled that he always wanted to join the army as some other members of the family were serving in the armed forces.

"As he had worked in the UN peacekeeping mission earlier, he decided to join the UN (after leaving the army), but that career turned out to be short," Harshad said.

One of Mr Kale's coursemates from the NDA who came from Delhi to attend the last rites reminisced that Mr Kale had an infectious smile and positive attitude.

Pune divisional commissioner Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Brigadier (retd) Rajesh Gaikwad, director of the Department of Maharashtra Sainik Welfare; and serving and retired military veterans paid homage to Mr Kale.

He is survived by his mother, wife, son and daughter.



from NDTV News Search Records Found 1000 https://ift.tt/TSdYCWn

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Modi Does What He Promises": PM On Why People Trust His 'Guarantees'

Highlighting his recent state election slogan, "Modi ki Guarantee," Prime Minister Modi asserted that the country trusts his guarantee because he diligently works to fulfill them. During a one-day visit to Ayodhya, he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 46 projects worth Rs 15,700 crore. The events included the inauguration of Ayodhya Dham Junction, Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, and the flagging off of 6 Vande Bharat and 2 Amrit Bharat trains. "The strength of Modi's guarantee lies in the fact that Modi does what he promises. Today, the country has faith in Modi's guarantee because he puts in all his efforts to fulfill the guarantees he gives. This city of Ayodhya is also a witness to this," he stated. Expressing eagerness for the upcoming consecration at the Ram Temple, PM Modi proclaimed himself a devotee of every particle and person in India. PM Modi reached Ayodhya on a one-day visit, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation
Read more

'800-Strong Mob Intended To Cause Death': Probe Agency On Bengal Attack

Giving chilling details about the attack on its officials, allegedly by supporters of a Trinamool Congress leader, the Enforcement Directorate has said the mob consisted of 800-1,000 people and that there was an "intention to cause death". The agency said three of its officials were severely injured and that people in the mob robbed its personnel of their belongings, including mobile phones, wallets and laptops.  The attack occurred in Sandeshkhali in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Friday, when an Enforcement Directorate team - accompanied by personnel from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) - was carrying out searches at three premises belonging to Trinamool leader Sahajahan Sheikh in connection with the alleged Public Distribution Scam.  While the Trinamool Congress called the incident "a BJP conspiracy" and claimed "unruly elements attached with the central agencies provoked locals", the BJP has dubbed the continuance of the rul
Read more