BHAGALPUR, May 23 -- The mortal remains of Army Havildar Santosh Kumar, who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, were consigned to flames with full military and state honours at his native village, Ismailpur, in Naugachhia police district of Bhagalpur on Thursday. The 40-year-old jawan lost his life during an encounter near the Naushera sector in Samba district late Monday night. His body reached Patna on Wednesday, where several dignitaries, including deputy chief ministers Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Sinha, and Union minister Giriraj Singh, paid floral tributes. On Thursday, hundreds joined the funeral procession, chanting slogans like "Santosh Kumar Amar Rahe" and "Bharat Mata Ki Jai." Senior army officers and officials from the district administration, including the Bhagalpur DM and SP, were present to pay their respects. In a deeply emotional moment, Kumar's four-year-old son, Lakshya, lit the funeral pyre, while his three daughters, aged between nine and fourteen, offered a final salute to their father. A ceremonial guard of honour was accorded before the last rites were performed. Havildar Kumar had been serving in the Indian Army since 2001 and was posted in the Naushera sector since 2022. He is survived by his wife, Gudia Devi, and four children....