A soldier serving with the Assam Rifles, hailing from the Rayagada district of Odisha, lost his life after sustaining a bullet wound during operational duties in Nagaland. Rifleman V Teja, who was deployed with the 15th Assam Rifles, died from the gunshot injury mere two days prior to his 31st birthday. Following the incident on Monday, he was immediately transported to a hospital, where medical personnel pronounced him dead on arrival.
Enlisted in 2022, Wedding Was Scheduled for December
Teja had enlisted in the armed forces in 2022 and was looking forward to significant personal milestones in the coming weeks. His 31st birthday fell on October 7, and he had planned to travel back to his hometown for Diwali celebrations ahead of his marriage, which had been fixed for December 10. The sudden tragedy has cut short a promising military career and brought immense grief to his family and native community.
State Leadership Honors the Fallen Soldier
The demise of the soldier drew profound condolences from senior political leaders across Odisha. Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi conveyed his deep sorrow over the loss, highlighting Teja as a valiant serviceman committed to his duties in Nagaland. Majhi stated that Teja's unwavering dedication and ultimate sacrifice in serving the nation would forever remain etched in collective memory. The Chief Minister also offered his heartfelt sympathies to the grieving family, offering prayers to Lord Jagannath for eternal peace to the departed soul.
Echoing these sentiments, Leader of Opposition Naveen Patnaik paid homage to the deceased soldier. Patnaik noted that the bravery and sacrifice exhibited by Teja during security operations in Nagaland represent an enduring source of pride for both Odisha and the wider nation. He extended his condolences to the bereaved relatives, affirming that Teja's gallantry and courage would always be honoured.
Mortal Remains Transported to Rayagada for Final Rites
Following protocol, the soldier's mortal remains were airlifted via helicopter to Visakhapatnam. From there, the body was conveyed onward to Rayagada by ambulance. The Rayagada district administration has coordinated arrangements to pay official respects and accord formal tributes to Rifleman Teja on Thursday morning, providing an opportunity for local authorities and the public to honor his service.
