In this image released by @PemaKhanduBJP on April 24, 2025, people pay respects to the mortal remains of Corporal Tage Hailyang of the Indian Air Force, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack, at Tajang village in Ziro, in Lower Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh.
| Photo Credit: X@PemaKhanduBJP via PTI
GUWAHATI
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said a memorial would be built in memory of Indian Air Force (IAF) Corporal Tage Hailyang, one of 26 Indian and Nepalese citizens killed in a terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22.
After paying homage to the slain corporal at his native Tajang village in the State’s Lower Subansiri district on Thursday, he also announced financial assistance of ₹50 lakh and a government job for a member of his bereaved family.
Follow Pahalgam attack updates on April 24
“In the face of grave danger, Tage Hailyang demonstrated exceptional courage. He had the chance to escape but chose instead to protect those around him. Risking his own life, he guided civilians to safety, helping them escape the line of fire,” Mr. Khandu posted on the social media platform X.
He described the corporal’s selflessness at that critical moment as a rare and inspiring act of bravery.
“I met his grieving wife, parents, and other family members in their home at Tajang and offered my deepest condolences. The loss is beyond measure, and the people of Arunachal Pradesh stand in solidarity with the family during this time of profound sorrow,” he said.
Mr. Khandu said the slain airman’s inspiring journey, from his early education in district headquarters Ziro and Haryana’s Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram to his graduation from Don Bosco College in Itanagar and enlisted in the IAF in 2017, was a shining testament to the strength, discipline, and patriotism of the youth.
“We strongly condemn this heinous act of terrorism. Pakistan’s continued sheltering of terrorist elements is a grave threat to global peace and must be met with resolute action. I appreciate the firm stand taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and am confident that under his leadership, the nation will respond with the strength and resolve that such a grave sacrifice demands,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the late Hailyang’s name would forever be etched in the history of Arunachal Pradesh as a symbol of valour, and his sacrifice would continue to inspire future generations.
Earlier, Assam’s Public Health Engineering Minister Jayanta Malla Baruah received the corporal’s body at the IAF base in Guwahati, from where it was taken to Tajang. Arunachal Pradesh MLA Hage Appa, representing the Ziro-Hapoli constituency, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Vivek H.P., and Superintendent of Police Keni Bagra received the body at a strategic point near the village.
The body of Corporal Hailyang will be laid to rest at Tajang on Friday.
Published – April 24, 2025 06:41 pm IST