Slain Vizag soldier was to come home

Visakhapatnam, April 28 (IANS) Naik Bhoota Venkata Ramana was to visit his home here soon. But on Thursday his family received the shocking news of his death in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

Ramana was one of the three soldiers killed when guerrillas believed to be foreigners sneaked into an army camp in Kupwara district. Two militants were also killed.

The body of the 38-year-old Ramana is expected to be flown in here later in the day. The last rites will be performed with full military honours, officials said.

Anita was waiting for her husband, who had telephoned her on Wednesday that he will return home on May 10.

Their children, daughter Chinmayi (9) and son Ganesh (5), too were eagerly waiting to see their father.

Also waiting for Ramana were his aged parents and younger brother Koteswara Rao, an autorickshaw driver. Elder brother B. Appala Raju is also serving in the army.

According to family members, Ramana had promised Anita that he would be home for their 12th marriage anniversary on May 18.

Ramana joined the Indian Army 18 years ago and belonged to the Madras Regiment. He was keen to serve in the army for few more years by applying for an extension.