Shillong, Feb. 15: The oldest surviving recipient of the Ashok Chakra, the highest peace time gallantry award of the country, Lt Col. Man Bahadur Rai, 95, passed away yesterday.

The last rites were held in Jorhat this evening.

“Rai had served in the 8 Assam Rifles during the tumultuous sixties,” said A.K. Choudhury, public relations officer of Assam Rifles.

The mortal remains were laid to rest with full military honours during a ceremony at Jorhat today.

Lt Gen. Rameshwar Roy, director-general (DG), Assam Rifles, conveyed his condolences to Rai’s family.

A wreath to honour the veteran soldier was laid at the site on behalf of Roy.

Rai was awarded the Ashok Chakra in 1961 for his gallantry against insurgents in Nagaland, where he led a platoon through two hostile positions into the insurgents’ stronghold and successfully dislodged them.

As a tribute to Rai, an auditorium at Assam Rifles in Laitkor garrison was named after him.