Dehradun, Oct 30 (IANS): Rifleman Sandeep Singh Rawat was given a tearful adieu here on Saturday as thousands of people turned up to pay tributes to the braveheart. The mortal remains were consigned to flames later in Haridwar.

The 24-year-old martyr's body was brought to his house in Navada in a special Indian Air Force (IAF) plane. He was killed in firing by Pakistani rangers in the Tangdhar sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

He joined the the 6th Garhwal Rifles two years ago.

Rawat's family members, including his mother, were inconsolable as the body reached home.

Chief Minister Harish Rawat said Uttarakhand was proud of the late Rifelman and added that his sacrifice for the motherland would always be remembered.

Former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhariyal 'Nishank', former Rajya Sabha member Tarun Vijay, state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Ajay Bhatt, officers of the district administration, police and defence personnel also turned up to pay tributes.