A martyr to terrorist bullets in Kupwara, Jammu and Kashmir, Baria's body was brought to Vadodara in an Indian Airlines flight from New Delhi on Wednesday morning. ``We are shocked by his death, but at the same time, immensely proud'', said a cousin as members of the general public and officers of the armed forces turned up in large numbers at Harni airport, where Baria's body lay in state in the morning.

They gathered under an overcast sky, man and woman, to be led by EME School Commander Major-General M C Sebastin, Air Commodore Raj Kumar, Police Commissioner J Mahapatra, District Collector Anil Mukim, Union Textile Minister Kashiram Rana, Labour and Employment Minister Bhupendra Lakhawala and Mayor Umakant Joshi in paying homage to the martyr.

After a 14-gun salute, started the interminable process of laying wreaths on the coffin. Only after the dignitaries had done their bit -- apparently fewer than expected turned up, reportedly because there wasn't time to publicise the event -- could Baria's family members pay their individual respects to the body.

Outside the cordon, meanwhile, members of the public craned their necks to get a glimpse of the box that was the marty's last place of rest.Along with four family members, Colonel Sushil Jain, Captain Vasant, District Sainik Kalyan Officer Lt-Col Kishorsinh Gohil and 40 other armymen accompanied the body back to Baria's native village of Nakti in Dhanpura taluka, Dahod district. Said a relative, ``Since the crematorium is a long distance away, the final rites will be held in our agricultural fields.''

It was in these fields that Baria grew up into an adventure-loving, athletic young man. ``Though he loved sports, he couldn't take it up full time because of the family's financial condition'', said his cousin Dipsinh. ``He cleared his SSC from the village school and then joined the army at 19. He was posted to the border just two months ago, and spent a fortnight at the village before going on to J&K.''

Baria leaves behind an aged father, a younger brother, wife Sumitra, three daughters and a son. He was 29.

Making of a martyr
Five soldiers, including Chhaganbhai Baria, went down to a shower of AK-47 bullets from terrorists near Keygo, Kupwara, on August 8, according to Baria's colleague V S Bhai of Balasinor, who accompanied the body to Vadodara.

``They were on their way to receive a top army officer, when their vehicle was flagged down by a burkha-clad figure. The moment the vehicle slowed down, he -- for it was a terrorist in disguise -- and some of his accomplices fired at them.'' And five more martyrs were born.