IAF Corporal cremated with full military honours

Kanpur: The mortal remains of IAF Corporal Deepak Pandey, who had died in Mi-17 chopper crash near Srinagar on February 27, were consigned to flames with full military honours at Siddhnathghat on the banks of river Ganga in the city on Friday.
The mortal remains of Deepak had arrived in the city on Thursday evening. Locals in huge number thronged the Corporal’s residence in Mangla Vihar area of Chakeri. Senior IAF officers, district and police officials, deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and cabinet minister Satish Mahana, besides Akbarpur MP Devendra Singh Bhole were present to bid final adieu to Deepak.

Wreaths were placed on his tricolour-draped body by IAF staff and Army officers. A ceremonial guard reversed arms as a mark of respect and fired three-shot volley in air in salute. Soon, the crowd too raised slogans, “Jab tak suraj chand rahega, Deepak tumhara naam rahega (Your name has been immortalised).”

The loud wails of his parents and cousin sisters turned the atmosphere gloomy and sad. The area shops remained closed to mourn his death.

Deepak was the only child of his parents Ram Prakash Pandey and Rama. The pyre was lit by his father.

He was the fourth generation in the services from his family. He was commissioned in the Air Force in 2014. Deepak was posted in Srinagar Air Base these days.

Deepak’s father had retired from private job, while his uncle Shiv Prakash had served in the Air Force.

A huge number of locals, relatives, childhood friends and colleagues paid their last respects to the departed officer. Senior district and police officers, including district magistrate Vijay Vishwas Pant and SSP Anant Deo, who had visited Deepak’s house to express their condolences, also supervised the arrangements.

The locals also thanked authorities for anouncing ex gratia to the family of Deepak.