The body of 22-year-old Lieutenant Shashank Tiwari, who tragically lost his life while attempting to save a fellow soldier during a patrol in the Sikkim region, has returned to his hometown of Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh.

His funeral is scheduled for Saturday at Jamthara Ghat, where he will receive full military and state honors. Tiwari, hailing from Gaddopur in Ayodhya Cantonment, joined the Indian Army last year after successfully passing the NDA entrance examination in 2019.

This was his first posting in Sikkim. His remains were flown in from Bagdogra Airport in Siliguri and reached Ayodhya late on Friday night.

According to officials, the officer was conducting a routine patrol on Thursday when a fellow soldier fell into a fast-flowing river. Lt. Tiwari bravely jumped in to rescue him but was unfortunately swept away and could not be saved.

Ayodhya City Magistrate Rajesh Mishra mentioned that Lt. Tiwari's father, Jung Bahadur Tiwari, who serves in the Merchant Navy and is currently stationed in the U.S., is expected to arrive in Ayodhya by Saturday morning.

Family members shared that Lt. Tiwari was academically gifted and had always aspired to serve his country. He completed his schooling in Faizabad before joining the NDA.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath visited Ayodhya on Friday to offer prayers at Hanumangarhi and inaugurated the Hanumat Katha Mandapam. He also honored the officer’s bravery and sacrifice.

The chief minister announced that the state government will provide ₹50 lakh in financial support to Lt. Tiwari's family and plans to establish a memorial in his honor in Ayodhya.