Major Satish Dahiya of the Rashtriya Rifles, who died battling militants in north Kashmir on 14 February, was cremated with full state honours at his native village of Banihari in Haryana's Mahendragarh district. According to NDTV, his 2-year-old daughter, Priyasha, lit the funeral pyre. Major Dahiya was 31 years old.
The major's wife, Sujata Dahiya, told the Hindustan Times that she received cake and flowers sent by her husband via courier on the occasion of Valentine's Day after she had received a call informing her that he was no more. "He wrote, 'I love you Poocha, you are my inspiration', Satish," Sujata told NDTV. The two would have celebrated their third wedding anniversary today.
She also said that their daughter had sacrificed her father in the service of the nation.
The only son of his parents, Major Dahiya completed his education from various institutions in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, before joining the Army. He was commissioned in 2009.
On 14 February, he was leading an operation against militants in Handwara when militants reportedly opened fire. Three militants were killed in retaliation, but the Major succumbed to bullet injuries he had received in the encounter.
Paying tribute to Major Dahiya, the Indian Army said that he had been a part of many anti-terror operations and had been decorated for his gallantry.
Also on HuffPost India
