Bihar increases ex-gratia to Rs 11 lakh for its soldiers slain in Uri

The Nitish Kumar cabinet on Tuesday announced it was increasing the ex-gratia amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for families of the three Bihar soldiers killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir two days ago.

The Nitish Kumar cabinet on Tuesday announced it was increasing the ex-gratia amount from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 11 lakh for families of the three Bihar soldiers killed in the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir two days ago.

A police officer pays tribute to Sunil Kumar Vidyarthi who was killed in Uri, during his funeral in Gaya on Tuesday. (PTI Photo)

Chief minister Nitish Kumar had earlier announced an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh. However, the decision to revise the amount was taken at a state Cabinet meeting.

SK Vidyarthi from Gaya, Rakesh Singh from Kaimur and Ashok Kumar Singh from Ara in Bhojpur district were three of the 18 soldiers killed in action when militants attacked an army camp in Uri. Four militants were also killed in the crossfire.

Read | As it happened: Militants attack army camp in Uri

CM Kumar further announced full state honours to the three soldiers of the Bihar regiment. Three ministers also attended the funeral ceremony.

The announcement comes on a day an Indian soldier was killed and at least eight suspected intruders shot dead as the army battled two groups of militants along the border with Pakistan on Tuesday.

Troops also exchanged fire with Pakistani soldiers in the Uri sector, close to the army’s 12 Brigade headquarters which was attacked by militants on September 18.