Rayagada: An Odia soldier serving with the Assam Rifles was killed after sustaining a gunshot wound while on duty in Nagaland, sources said Tuesday.
The soldier, identified as V. Teja of Rayagada, was critically injured Monday after being shot while on duty. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead, sources added.
Teja was scheduled to celebrate his 31st birthday Wednesday, October 7, and was preparing for his wedding in December. According to his family, his wedding had been scheduled for December 10, and preparations were underway. He had also been granted 50 days of leave for the occasion.
His family said Teja was scheduled to return to Rayagada on Diwali and had been looking forward to his wedding.
Teja joined the armed forces in 2022. About two years ago, he had signed a pledge to donate his organs after death, his younger brother said. In accordance with his pledge, his organs were retrieved and preserved at a local hospital, the family added.
Teja’s mortal remains are scheduled to be brought to Visakhapatnam by a special helicopter via Hyderabad and will later be transported to Rayagada by a special ambulance, according to information received by the family.
