With hands folded in reverence and head bowed in respect, Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday led the State in paying last respect to Tilak Raj a CRPF personnel martyred in the Pulwama terror attack.

Thakur visited the native village Jandro in Jawali area of Kangra district and prayed his last respect to the martyr Tilak Raj by laying wreath on the coffin.

Forty CRPF personnel were killed and five injured in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, when Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying explosives into their vehicle in Pulwama district.

Consoling the martyr's father Layak Ram, mother, wife and other family members, the Chief Minister said that martyr Tilak Raj laid down his life for the nation's sake and in this hour of grief, the State government was solidly standing with the family. We will give whatever assistance they require, he said.

The Chief Minister took part in the last journey of the martyr which was held with full state honours at his native village.

Villagers kept chanting "Shaheed Tilak Raj Amar Rahe" and also raised anti-Pakistan slogan.

Thakur said that apart from a financial assistance of Rs. 20 lakh to the kin of the martyr the State government would provide all possible assistance to the family and government employment to the wife of the martyr.

A pall of gloom descended on the village after the body of the martyr reached his native village. People thronged the martyr's house to pay their last respect before the coffin was carried for the last rites.

Besides the Chief Minister, Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, former CM and MP Shanta Kumar, ministers in the state government and MLAs and officials were present.