Major from Thane killed in Kashmir encounter

Thane (Maharashtra) : Thane resident, Major Kaustubh P. Rane, was among four Army men killed in Tuesday's encounter with terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in Bandipura, Jammu & Kashmir, official sources said.

Major Rane (30) was the only son of his parents.

He lived with his wife Kanika, their three-year-old son and parents Prakash Rane and Jyoti, a retired assistant headmistress of Utkarsh Mandir High School, at Malad in Mumbai.

The Ranes have been living in Thane's Mira Road town for over 25 years. Despite being the only son, he had opted for the Army around six years ago and was currently posted with the 36 Rashtriya Rifles.

His wife and minor son are away at their native place in the Konkan region.

The funeral will be finalised after Major Rane's body was brought here.

Maharashtra Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) President and legislator Kapil Patil condoled the death of Major Rane.

The other martyrs are Vikramjit Singh of Haryana, Mandip Singh and Hameer Singh, both from Uttarakhand.