New Delhi, February 19: People gathered in large numbers in Dehradun to pay last respects to Major VS Dhoundiyal, who lost his life in an encounter in Pulwama on Monday. The major's wife was seen saluting the braveheart as people paid tribute to him for the last time. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat expressed grief at the martyrdom of Major Dhoundiyal, saying the entire country stood with the martyr's family. The 34-year-old braveheart is survived by his wife Nikita Kaul.

Dhoundiyal, a resident of Dehradun, was among four Army men martyred in an encounter with JeM terrorists in Pulwama district on Monday. The encounter took place just a short distance away from the spot where 40 CRPF personnel were killed recently in a suicide attack by the outfit. Major Chitresh Singh Bisht Funeral: Last Respects Accorded to Army Martyr in Dehradun.

Watch Video: People pay last respects to Major VS Dhoundiyal

The news that Dhoundiyal was martyred came when the last rites of Major Chitresh Bisht were going on in Haridwar on Monday. With Dhoundiyal's death, Uttarakhand lost another brave soldier.  Bisht was killed while defusing a mine on the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on Saturday. His mortal remains were consigned to flames in Haridwar on Monday afternoon.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 19, 2019 10:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).