Meerut/Agra: Out of the 44 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel killed in a fidayeen attack in Kashmir’s Pulwama, maximum 12 were from Uttar Pradesh where large-scale protests erupted on Friday as people sought a “befitting” reply to the dastardly attack on the security forces.All the cities and towns of the state witnessed protests in which people set Pakistan flags on fire and demanded action against the neighbouring country for harboring militants.Out of the 12 slain security personnel, two were from Shamli and one each from Agra and Mainpuri districts of western UP. While one each was from Maharajganj, Deoria, Allahabad, Chandauli and Varanasi districts of eastern UP. And one each was from central UP’s Kannauj, Kanpur Dehat and Unnao districts.Three slain CRPF men were from neighbouring Uttarakhand. They were from Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarkashi and Almora districts of the hill state.At the homes of the soldiers, there was a feeling of grief mixed with anger. The families struggled to come to terms with the loss.“I had received his phone call on Thursday morning. Didn't know it would be the last conversation with him,” said Umesh Kumar, brother of Pradeep Kumar (37) who was posted in Srinagar and was part of 21st Battalion of CRPF. Just two days ago, Pradeep had left after completing vacation.Holding tears, his father, Jagdish Kumar said: “I am proud of my son who gave sacrifice for the country. But, his martyrdom should not go in vain. We demand action from our government strong enough to instill fear in the hearts of terrorists.”

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