Nation mourns Lance Naik Hanamanthappa, last rites today

The mortal remains of Siachen braveheart, Lance Naik Hanamanthappa Koppad, who passed away on Thursday morning after battling for life since his miraculous survival in Siachen, was brought home late night.

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah along with his Cabinet colleagues HK Patil and Vinay Kulkarni, Opposition leader in the assembly Jagadish Shettar, among others, received the body at the airport. The state government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for the bereaved family.

Siddaramaiah has also announced a site, land, job for Hanamanthappa's wife and memorial for the braveheart.