Rayagada, Oct 7: The mortal remains of Assam Rifles jawan V Teja, who died from a gunshot wound while on duty in Nagaland on Monday, will be brought back to his hometown Rayagada for his final journey.

According to information shared with his family, Teja’s body will be flown to Visakhapatnam by a special helicopter via Hyderabad. From Visakhapatnam, the mortal remains are expected to be transported to Rayagada by a special ambulance.

Hundreds of people in Rayagada are preparing to pay their final respects to the jawan. His coffin, wrapped in the Tricolour, is expected to receive a solemn public reception when it arrives in the town.

Teja sustained a bullet injury while on duty in Nagaland and was rushed to a hospital for treatment. However, doctors declared him dead.

He was scheduled to turn 31 on October 7, just days after his death.

His family was also preparing for another major milestone. Teja was scheduled to get married on December 10 and had reportedly been granted 50 days of leave for the wedding.

According to his family members, he was expected to return home to Rayagada during Diwali. The family that had been looking forward to his birthday and wedding is now waiting for his final homecoming.

Teja had joined the armed forces in 2022 and was serving with the Assam Rifles in Nagaland.

He sustained the fatal gunshot injury during duty, though further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident are awaited.

In a deeply poignant gesture, Teja had pledged to donate his organs around two years ago.

His younger brother said the family honoured his wish after his death. His organs were retrieved and preserved at a hospital in accordance with the pledge.

As arrangements continue to bring Teja’s mortal remains home, a wave of grief has swept through Rayagada.

For his family and friends, the eagerly awaited return that was supposed to be for his birthday and upcoming marriage has instead become a final farewell to a young soldier who lost his life while serving in Nagaland.