Malpe: An army soldier Upendra Kumar (2-3) from Thenkanidiyur near here, is reported to have died near Meerut (UP) at Rohan Pathak during a fight against Railway robbers, on duty on Wednesday, Dec 28.

He was manning the 22nd Infantry division Signals regiment on duty, when he was killed, according to message received by his family members locally on Thursday, Dec 29.

Upendra joined Army as signalman about 4 years ago. He lost parents in his childhood, and suffered poverty. He worked at Malpe harbour in early hours of the day, getting up at 2 AM, and handling fish catch in boats.

He was competent in climbing coconut palms. He studied upto PUC at Poornaprajna Sandhya College, out of his own earnings, by working hard daily.

Later he joined a private company, and finally on Army duty, during which he was in Jammu-Kashmir, and Madhya Pradesh as well.

Upendra had come on leave during Deepavali festival of lights this year and gone back. He has left 2 elder brothers and a younger brother too, to mourn his loss at home.