Soldier from Patiala martyred during rescue operation in Ladakh

PATIALA: A Jawan from Patiala district died during a rescue operation on the Indo-China border. The body of Lance Naik Saleem Khan (23) of 58 Engineers was flown from Leh by plane to Mardanheri village on Patiala-Balbera road on Saturday.
Saleem Khan was born on January 14, 1996 in Mardanheri village of Patiala district to father Mangal Din and mother Nasima Begum.
He joined the Bengal Engineer Regiment of the Army in February 2014. He is survived by his mother, sister Sultana and brother Niyamt Ali.
Saleem’s father Mangal Din also served in the Army and he also died in an accident on duty about 18 years ago.
Lance Naik Saleem Khan was on engineering duty in the Army’s operational area near the Indo-China border in the Ladakh region near Shiok River. At around 1.30pm on June 26, his regiment was installing ropes for rescue operations by boat in the Shiok River when his boat capsised. He was martyred at around 3.20pm.
When news of Saleem Khan’s martyrdom reached his native village, a large number of people gathered at his house. His last rites were performed with full military honours.