Heartfelt Farewell to Brave Soldier R Vishnu in Kerala

Hundreds gathered in a Kerala hamlet to honor R Vishnu, a CRPF soldier killed in a Naxalite attack in Chhattisgarh. Vishnu's body, received by officials at the airport, was brought to his hometown in a mourning procession. Government dignitaries and civilians paid their last respects before his ceremonial cremation.

Hundreds of people thronged a tiny hamlet near the Kerala capital on Tuesday to pay their last respects to R Vishnu, a brave soldier killed by a Naxalite truck explosion in Chhattisgarh.

Vishnu, a member of the CRPF's jungle warfare unit, CoBRA, had his mortal remains brought to his native village near Palode in the early hours. Mayor Arya Rajendran, other government officials, and CRPF personnel paid their respects at the airport.

A mourning procession brought Vishnu's remains to his village, where people of all ages, including relatives and friends, waited with heavy hearts. His newly-constructed house saw heartbreaking scenes, with his children, wife, and parents inconsolable before his lifeless body.

Civil Supplies Minister G R Anil and Governor Arif Mohammad Khan paid their respects, with the latter placing a floral wreath when Vishnu's body was kept for public homage at his former school.

Before cremation, CRPF personnel accorded him full ceremonial honors. According to Chhattisgarh police, the improvised explosive device blast occurred around 3 pm on Saturday, 400 km from Raipur.