Pahalgam terror attack victim cremated in Odisha village

Balasore: The final rites of Prasant Kumar Satpathy, the Odia tourist tragically killed in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, were held today in his native village of Ishani under Remuna block in Odisha’s Balasore district.

Grief gripped the village as residents gathered to bid a tearful farewell to Satpathy, whose untimely death has left the community in deep sorrow.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi visited Ishani village to offer his condolences and pay floral tributes to the departed soul. On this occasion, the Chief Minister announced an ex gratia compensation of ₹20 lakh for Satpathy’s family. He also assured government employment for Satpathy’s wife and committed to covering the educational expenses of his son.

Satpathy’s mortal remains arrived in his village this morning. The 43-year-old was among 26 tourists who lost their lives in the shocking gunfire attack that has sent ripples across the nation.

His body was flown from Jammu and Kashmir to Bhubaneswar late Wednesday night via a special flight, reaching Biju Patnaik International Airport around 12:30 am. At the airport, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, BJP State President Manmohan Samal, PCC President Bhakta Charan Das, Director General of Police YB Khurania, and several senior officials paid their respects with floral tributes.

A large crowd, including Satpathy’s family members and well-wishers, gathered at the airport and later at the village for the final rites. The Balasore district administration coordinated the arrangements for the cremation.

Satpathy had been employed as an accounts assistant at the Central Institute of Plastics Engineering and Technology (CIPET) in Balasore.