A 40-year-old soldier from Kadukalur village, Ramanathapuram, K Palani, who was among the three men killed in Ladakh in a violent face off with Chinese troops, served the Army for 22 long years and was due to retire in a year, his family said on Tuesday.

His mortal remains were cremated with full military honours on Thursday morning at his native village.

Palani married Vanathidevi in 2008 and the couple had two children, Prasanna (10) and Divya (8). Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, condoling the killing of the three Army men, announced a solatium of Rs 20 lakh to the family of the slain soldier and said one family member would get a government job.

The village in southern TN was engulfed in gloom as news of Palani’s death reached the sleepy neighbourhood. Family sources said he served as a Havildar and had joined the Army in 1999. His brother Idhayakani, who broke the news to the family, is also in the Army and posted in Rajasthan.