Team Mangalorean - Beltangady
from Avinash Ujire

Beltangady: When the news of the death of Lance Naik Krishnappa Gowda, hailing from Manjotti Nada near here and serving as a non-commissioned officer (NCO) in the 507 ASC battalion of the Indian army, was received by the family here on August 14, it was presumed that he had fallen victim to an ambush attack by the Pak army or a cross-firing between the forces from either side.

There were already conflicting reports about the cause of death much before the body was brought for final rites on Independence Day. DK superintendent of police Abhishek Goyal had said that the exact cause of death would be known only after the post-mortem report was received.

Now comes the news that an official first information report (FIR) has been filed in the Pherozepur cantonment police station that it was a case of murder. The SP has confirmed having received a copy of the FIR. He has also written to the Army officials to provide the district police with additional information. Only after receiving a reply, the details of the culprits would be known.

Earlier, he was reported to have died in an unprovoked ambush attack from the other side of the border. The Pherozepur cantonment police and the Army both will be holding independent investigations into the Lance Naik's death.

When the body was brought to hometown here, the accompanying officials and soldiers had declined to say anything in the matter. That alone had led many people to suspect that everything was not all right with the crossfire version of the report.

SP Goyal called Krishnappa's brother to the police station here on Friday and handed over a copy of the FIR. Krishnappa's body had carried a slit injury from the neck to ear. The attack was obviously made from close quarters, according to medical reports. The identity of the killers is yet to be ascertained.

Mangalore: District Administration pays Final Respect to Soldier Krishnappa

Beltangady: Soldier from Nada Falls Martyr to Pak Ambush Attack