Koraput: A pall of gloom descended on Rayagada on Wednesday as Assam Rifles jawan V Teja was accorded a guard of honour before his final rites were performed amid a large gathering of mourners in his hometown. Teja (31) died after sustaining a gunshot wound while on duty in Nagaland on Monday. The exact circumstances leading to his death, however, have not yet been officially disclosed.His mortal remains reached Rayagada late Tuesday night in an ambulance from Visakhapatnam where they had been flown down in a helicopter. Hundreds of people gathered to receive the body and joined a massive motorcycle rally that began around 10 km from Rayagada. The procession moved towards the town amid slogans hailing the soldier, reflecting the grief and respect of people for the young jawan.Teja had joined the armed forces in 2022 and was serving in the 15 Assam Rifles. Naib Subedar Ravindra Kumar Naik of 15 Assam Rifles, who accompanied Teja’s mortal remains to Rayagada, said inquiries were underway into his death.“I do not have information about the circumstances leading to his death. The complete details will be known after the postmortem report comes in. Local police are conducting an inquiry and a departmental inquiry is also underway,” Naik said.Teja’s younger brother V Vinay said they had been informed that he died in the line of duty after sustaining a gunshot wound. Teja’s death left his parents and other family members devastated, while relatives, neighbours and residents gathered at his home to pay their last respects.The tragedy came just days before Teja’s 31st birthday on Oct 7. The family had been preparing for his wedding, scheduled for Dec 10. He had reportedly been granted 50 days’ leave and was expected to return home during Diwali. Teja had pledged to donate his organs around two years ago. His family said his wish was honoured after his death, with his organs retrieved and preserved at a local hospital.