West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday paid heartfelt tribute to Jhantu Ali Sheikh, a soldier from the state who lost his life during an anti-terror operation in Jammu and Kashmir’s Dudu-Basantgarh area of Udhampur.

Addressing a public gathering, the CM said, “I salute Jhantu Ali Sheikh and his family. His wife and children are present here today. He laid down his life for the nation.” The Chief Minister added that her government has extended an ex-gratia amount of ₹10 lakh to the martyr’s family, along with a job in the Police Lines to support them.

In a separate development, Banerjee also visited Dhuliyan, the region recently affected by violence, and assured full government support to those impacted. She said she met over 400 families in the violence-hit areas and announced a compensation package for the victims.

“We will give ₹1.20 lakh each to 280 families,” the Chief Minister said, underlining her government’s commitment to restore normalcy and support the affected.