9-Year-Old Lights Funeral Pyre of Father Killed in Pahalgam Terror Attack

In a heart-wrenching moment that moved hundreds to tears, nine-year-old Tanuj Kumar Satpathy lit the funeral pyre of his father, Prashant Satpathy, who lost his life in the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The final rites were performed in their native Ishani village in Odisha’s Balasore district on Thursday morning.

The silent and grief-stricken child led the funeral procession from his home to the cremation ground, about a kilometre away, accompanied by hundreds of villagers and dignitaries who came to pay their last respects.

Among those present were Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, and Balasore MP Pratap Chandra Sarangi. Chief Minister Majhi spent close to an hour at the grieving family’s home, offering condolences and emotional support to Prashant’s wife, Priya Darshini, and his elderly mother.

Prashant Satpathy, a civilian worker, was one of the victims of the cowardly terror strike in Pahalgam that has drawn condemnation from across the country. His death has left a void not just in his family but in the entire village, where he was widely respected.

Local authorities and the state government have assured the bereaved family of all possible support in the coming days. The Chief Minister also promised that the sacrifice of Prashant would not be forgotten and that the government stands firmly with families of victims of terrorism.

The somber ceremony concluded with prayers and tributes from the villagers, many of whom described Prashant as a kind and hardworking man who always extended a helping hand to others.