Colonel Rai
Indian soldiers carry the coffin containing the body of Colonel M.N. Rai, who was killed in a gun battle with militants.Reuters

Colonel MN Rai, who was killed by terrorists in Kashmir during a military operation, was given full state honours on Thursday morning. He was martyred a day after receiving a gallantry award during the Republic Day celebrations.

Top Army officers including chief Balbir Singh, Colonel Rai's wife, two daughters and son were present in Delhi during his cremation, reports NDTV.

He was the highest-ranked military officer to be killed in the region in nearly a year.

Colonel Rai was killed along with a policeman and two Hizbul Mujahideen militants in a fierce gun battle in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwana district on Tuesday.

He died in hospital after being hit by bullets at a village in Tral, 36 km from Srinagar. He was serving as commanding officer of 42 Rashtriya Rifles.