Pithoragarh, April 4 -- The last rites of Vikash Kumar (24), an army jawan of the 19 Kumaon Regiment who died in an avalanche near the Sikkim border, were performed with full military honours at Rameswar ghat in Pithoragarh district on Friday. The mortal remains of the soldier reached his native Gankot village near Pithoragarh town early in the morning in an Army vehicle. A large number of villagers, relatives and officials gathered to pay their respects before the cremation. According to officials, Vikash Kumar died on March 21 after being trapped in a massive avalanche while on patrol duty near the Sikkim border. The soldier is survived by his wife, a one-month-old son, his parents and a younger brother. Neeraj Kumar, the deceased soldier's brother, said the family had been waiting for him to come home on leave to celebrate the birthday of his child. "We were waiting for him to come home on leave to celebrate the birthday of his child, but the news of his death in the avalanche left the entire family devastated," Neeraj Kumar said. Army personnel present at the cremation paid tribute to the soldier with full military honours. Locals and family members bid a tearful farewell to him....