Srinagar, November 03(Scoop News)- In a solemn and poignant ceremony held at the Badami Bagh Cantonment, office bearers of the Public Relations Office of Ministry of Defence paid floral tributes to the memory of Major P Purushottam and his comrades who attained martyrdom in a fidayeen attack on this day in 1999, fourteen years ago.
Major P Purushottam, who was posted a Public Relations Officer (PRO) very bravely fought militants who had launched a fidayeen attack on his office in the evening hours of November 03, 1999. Having been engaged in a hand to hand fight, he and his colleagues laid down their lives while trying to save media persons, who finally escaped without a scratch.
With moist eyes, S Tariq, Senior Cameraperson of NDTV, who was one of the survivors, remembered that day in vivid detail. ‘We were sitting in his office when suddenly there was gunfire outside. Anticipation trouble, he pushed us into the bathroom and despite being unarmed, engaged those persons in a hand to hand fight. He and his staff sustained gun shots in the process and succumbed to their injuries. I still shiver at the thought of that evening and grieve for his beautiful daughter’, he said.
On the occasion wreaths were laid on behalf of Sitanshu Kar, Additional Director General (Media and Communication), Ministry of Defence and media fraternity at the office memorial in the Public Relations Office.