‘I’m proud of my father’: Mortal remains of BSF officer killed in Pakistani firing arrive in Patna

Patna: Imran Raza stood quietly at Patna airport on Monday as he received the mortal remains of his father, BSF sub-inspector Mohammad Imtiaz, who was killed in Pakistani firing along the international border in Jammu and Kashmir’s RS Pura sector.

"I am proud of my father and salute all those who sacrificed their lives for the country," Imran told reporters at the airport.

"My father was a very strong person. I last spoke to him at 5:30 am on May 10 (Saturday). He had suffered an injury to his right leg," he said. Sub-inspector Imtiaz succumbed to his injuries later that evening.

After a guard of honour by security personnel and a wreath-laying ceremony at the airport, the body was taken to his village Narayanpur in Saran district.

His final rites will be performed with full state honours later in the day.

Several political leaders and officials were present at the airport to pay their respects, including Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Assembly Tejashwi Yadav, state BJP president Dilip Jaiswal, ministers and senior administrative officers.

Imran demanded that Pakistan be taught a proper lesson for the terror attacks in India.

"Pakistan must be taught a proper lesson. Our government should give such a befitting reply that no son has to lose his father again," he said.

Interacting with reporters at the airport, Yadav said, "Sub-inspector Imtiaz was killed while giving a befitting reply to Pakistan at the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's RS Pura sector. We are safe today because of brave people like him. The country will always remember their sacrifice".

State Rural Development Minister Shravan Kumar said, "Mohammed Imtiaz's sacrifice did not go in vain... Our brave soldiers have avenged his sacrifice".