IAF pilot's body consigned to flames

I WONDER : FROM CIVIL ADMINISTRATION SIDE JUST A GP B SUB DIVISIONAL OFFICER WAS PRESENT.

PATNA: Body of 23-year-old Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Flight Lieutenant Manu Akhouri, son of Col (retd) Sanjay Akhouri, of Danapur sub-area Cantonment, was consigned to flames at Peepapul ghat at Danapur with full military honour on Saturday.

He died on Thursday when a MIG-21 fighter aircraft he was flying crashed near Bhatinda airbase in Punjab.

Earlier, his body was brought to Patna airport on Saturday afternoon. It was a heart rending sight when the body was brought to his house located at Vaishali Enclave at Dana-pur Cantonment. His grandmother, mother Meera Akhouri, uncle Ratan Akhouri, elder brother C H Akhouri, an engineer at Pune, sister Pragya Akhouri and many other relati-ves broke down literally on arrival of the body.

While Col Mahendra Singh laid wreath on the body on behalf of Chief of the Army Staff, Col R K Chadda placed wreath on behalf of General Officer in Commanding. Deputy Commandant of BRC Col Manjeet Singh also placed wreath on the body on behalf of the Bihar Regiment Centre.

A large number of Army and Air Force officials and civilians were present at the funeral to pay homage to Manu. Danapur SDO Adesh Teetarmare was also present.