Mumbai/Bangalore: The battle to end the three-day bloody siege by militants culminated on Saturday, but for many it was time to mourn.
The country bid an emotional final adieu to its bravehearts - ATS chief Hemant Karkare, Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan and NSG Comando Gajendra Singh - who died fighting the militants, with thousands of people spontaneously coming out into streets in a rare public outpouring of grief.
Slogans of Bharat Mata Ki Jai rent the air as the last journey of Karkare, who was among the 14 Mumbai police personnel killed in the 60-hour siege that began on Wednesday night, began from his house in Shivaji Park Central Mumbai on Saturday morning.
Police personnel slowly marched leading a huge procession with Karkare's picture on a flower-decked vehicle carrying his mortal remains that crawled through the Mumbai streets to reach Dadar crematorium where last rites were performed with state honours. His son accompanied the body.
Throughout the route, people crowded the pavements and roofs and perched on trees to get his last glimpse.
Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, leaders of major parties and top offficials were also present.
In Bangalore, which is mourning the loss of NSG Major Unnikrishnan during the operations to flush out terrorists at Taj hotel, the scenes were no different as the officers funeral was held with full military honours.
The mortal remains of the 31-year-old, wrapped in the tricolour, were laid before a framed photograph of the hero and people - friends, leaders, colleagues, family and strangers, filed past with bent heads and folded hands.
"He served the country well," said the father of slain commando in a choked voice while his mother caressed the face of her only son who died fighting the militants in at taj hotel and gallantly saved his men.
