Thousands pay homage to slain NSG commando in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, Nov 29 (IANS) Thousands of people turned out at an Uttarakhand village Saturday to pay their homage to Gajendra Singh Bisht, the National Security Guard (NSG) commando who died fighting terrorists in Mumbai.

Bisht, whose body was flown here earlier in the day, was cremated with full state and military honours at his village Ganeshpur, some 15 km from here.

Crowds raised slogans of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' (Hail India) and 'Gajendra Singh Amar Rahen' (Long live Gajendra Singh) as the funeral procession marched to the banks of Asan river for the cremation.

Uttarakhand Governor B.C. Joshi and Chief Minister Bhuvan Chand Khanduri drove down to Bisht's village and laid a wreath on his body.

On behalf of the state government, Khanduri gave a cheque of Rs.500,000 to the bereaved family.

A local contingent of Gorkha Rifles was detailed to give a gun salute to the commando who was killed at the Nariman House Jewish centre in Mumbai.

Bisht began his career with Rashtriya Rifles of the Indian Army in 1991. Two years later, he was deputed to the NSG.