Srinagar, March 6 -- A scene never witnessed before. Hundreds of people carrying candles in their hands marched through sensitive Padgampora village in Pulwama to pay tributes to the army soldier slain in an encounter at Awantipora.

Sepoy Pawan Kumar of 55 Rashtriya Riffles was killed after he overpowered a terrorist during hand-to-hand combat on March 1. Unmindful of his own security, he took on a heavily armed terrorist to save the local mosque. Hailing from Pithyt village in Shimla, he is survived by his mother.

A pall of gloom descended on Padgampora and adjacent villages after his death. Hundreds of people including women and children took to the streets against the terrorists. Shouting pro-army and pro-India slogans, people led a ...