The mortal remains of Havildar Satpal Rai, who died in the copter crash along with India’s Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat and 11 others on Wednesday in Tamil Nadu, arrived at Bagdogra airport on Sunday.

Rai, a resident of Takdah of Darjeeling hills, was the personal security officer of India’s top military commander.

In the afternoon, his body reached the airport and from there, it was taken to the army base hospital at Bengdubi.

Senior officers of the defence forces, Rai’s family members and members of the civil and police administration of Darjeeling paid homage to the deceased soldier.

Rai had served the Gorkha Rifles for 21 years His son Bickal, who also serves the 5/11 Gorkha Rifles of the Indian Army and is posted in Delhi, accompanied his father’s coffin.

Among others, Raju Bista, the Darjeeling MP of the BJP and Gautam Deb, the chairman of the board of administrators of Siliguri Municipal Corporation and a Trinamul veteran, also reached the base hospital to pay homage to Rai.

“I have come here on behalf of the state government as instructed by the chief minister to offer our final respects to him. I will also attend the funeral at the late soldier’s residence in Takdah,” said Deb, and spoke with the bereaved family members, assuring them of every possible help from the state.

MP Bista also Rai’s family and expressed his condolences. “The entire nation is showing respect…. We are fortunate that our region has bred such brave soldiers who have made our nation proud,” said Bista.

His son apart, Rai is survived by his wife Mandira, their 16-year-old daughter Muskan as well as his elderly mother Santu Maya.

Later in the afternoon, a convoy with Rai’s mortal remains headed for Takdah, a hilly hamlet in Darjeeling district which is his native home.

Hundreds of people lined up on the road, shouting slogans and showering petals on the coffin.

On Sunday night, Rai’s mortal remains were kept at his home. His last rites will be conducted on Monday, said sources.