Mrunal Manmay Dash

New Delhi: A 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War veteran and illustrious Indian Army officer, Lieutenant General K.P Dhalasamant passed away at the age of 70 on Monday at a private hospital in the national capital.

As per reports, Dhalasamant was reportedly battling cancer for the past one month before breathing his last today.

Inducted into the Army at the age of 19, Dhalasamant went on to make a star studded career, during which he won many medals including ParamVishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) and gained many accolades for his role in Bangladesh Liberation War, Operation ‘Blue Star’ in Punjab and the Kargil War in 1999.

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He retired from active service as the Director-General of Rashtriya Rifles, the regiment known for conducting operations against terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir.

Speaking about his late father, Pranab Dhalasamant, son of K.P Dhalasamant said, “My dad was a fighter. He fought valiantly with death until today and at last, he lost the battle. We thought for some time that he would recover, but unfortunately he left us today.”

“He dedicated all his life to Indian Army. So his mortal remains would be cremated today with full military honour in the cremation ground reserved for Army officers in Delhi. I heard that some officials of Defence Ministry will also join us in the cremation,” added Pranab.

Pranab further added, “A nationwide lockdown is in force and I would like to request all to abide by its rules at the cremation ground.”

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Expressing grief, Usha Devi, one of Dhalasamant's relative said, “It’s undoubtedly a great loss for the state of Odisha. He was under treatment for the past one month and unfortunately passed away this morning.”

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan expressed grief on the demise of Dhalasamant.

"Pained to learn about the demise of retd. Lt Gen KPD Samanta. A proud proponent of Odisha, its culture and values within the Armed Forces, Shri Samanta was one of the finest military generals that Odisha has produced. A veteran of military operations, his death is a huge loss," tweeted Pradhan.

BJP Vice President Baijayanta Jay Panda also expressed grief and paid condolences to the family of Dhalasamant.

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik also mourned the demise of Dhalasamant.

"Odisha mourns the loss of one of its most illustrious sons, Lt Gen (retd) KP Dhal Samanta. He was a veteran of 1971 War, Op Blue Star, Siachen & Kargil War. A proud alumnus of Sainik School, BBSR retired as DG of Rashtriya Rifles India’s main counter insurgency force in J&K," tweeted Patnaik.

Later in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and others pay their last respects to the army veteran.


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