Thousands of people from Punnamoodu and surrounding areas bid a tearful adieu to Army jawan Sam Abraham who was killed in cross-border firing in Jammu and Kashmir last week. His body was laid to rest with full military honours at the cemetery of the St. Gregorios Orthodox church, Punnamoodu, on Monday afternoon. Catholicos Baselios Mar Thoma Paulose II led the funeral service.
The mortal remains were brought to his native place from Thiruvananthapuram on Monday morning.
The body was kept at Bishop Hodges Higher Secondary School, Mavelikara, for the public to pay their respects.
People from all walks of life gathered on both sides of the Mavelikara-Punnamoodu road, as the body was taken to his home.
Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurian, Minister P. Thilothaman, and others attended the funeral.
Lance Naik Sam Abraham, 34, a member of the 6th Madras Regiment, was killed in unprovoked firing by the Pakistani Army in the Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control on Friday last.
Was planning retirement
Sam Abraham was to retire in November this year, after 17 years of service.
He is survived by his wife Anu, daughter Angel, and parents Abraham John and Saramma.
His wife is pregnant with his second child.
