Bahraich: Retired Brigadier T.P. Shukla dies, soldiers accord guard of honour

Retired Army officer Brigadier T.P. Shukla, a resident of Mohalla Nauwagarhi in Bahraich city, died on Monday. The officer, who fought militants during his posting in Jammu and Kashmir and later served in the operation against the LTTE in Sri Lanka, was given a guard of honour by soldiers who travelled from Ayodhya for the funeral.

From Kashmir to Sri Lanka

Brigadier Shukla was counted among the Army's capable officers. During his posting in Jammu and Kashmir he was part of the effort that took on militants directly. He was later sent to Sri Lanka, where the operation against LTTE militants brought him success.

Vishisht Seva Medal from the President

For his work against terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, the President conferred the Vishisht Seva Medal on him. The Vishisht Seva Medal is an Indian armed forces award for distinguished service of an exceptional order, given to officers and personnel on the President's approval. It is not a gallantry award; it recognises the responsibility, professional standard and leadership shown while in service.

Military honours at the final farewell

Soldiers reached Bahraich from Ayodhya once news of the death spread, and accorded him a guard of honour with full military honours. District Sainik Welfare Officer Colonel Mahesh Dhyani also paid tribute. His son, Dr P.K. Shukla, lit the pyre of the body draped in the tricolour. Ex-servicemen, family members and residents of the neighbourhood were present in large numbers at the cremation.

What the District Sainik Welfare Office does

Every district has a Sainik Welfare Office that handles the affairs of ex-servicemen, widows and their families: pension cases, canteen and medical entitlement paperwork, identity cards and access to government schemes. When a veteran or a retired officer dies, the same office coordinates military honours and the guard of honour with the nearest Army unit. That arrangement is why the party came from Ayodhya: Bahraich does not have a large Army establishment of its own.

Why it matters for Bahraich

Bahraich is a district on the Nepal border, and a large number of young men from its villages and neighbourhoods join the Army and the paramilitary forces. The death of an officer who rose to the rank of Brigadier is seen as a loss for the district's veteran community, because after retirement such officers become a point of support for recruitment aspirants and for families dealing with pension and welfare matters.