Karkare's son comes out in flying colours in HSC exams

Unfazed by the death of his father Hemant Karkare, chief of Anti Terrorism Squad (ATS) who was killed by terrorists during the Mumbai terror attacks last year, Akash Karkare passed his Higher Secondary Examination (HSC) with 78 per cent marks.

"I am very happy that my son scored first class marks and came out in flying colours despite the horrific tragedy. We are missing Hemant in this happiest moment," Kavita Karkare, widow of slain police officer, told PTI.

The results of February/March 2009 HSC examination conducted by Maharashtra Secondary and Higher Secondary Examination Board were out on Thursday.

Class XII student of R A Podar college in the commerce stream, 17-year-old Akash had appeared for the HSC exams even though he was in a state of trauma due to the death of his father.

Karkare succumbed to bullet injuries after an exchange of fire with lone surviving terrorist Mohammed Ajmal Amir Qasab and his slain accomplice Abu Ismael near Cama hospital near
Chhtrapati Shivaji Terminus on the November 26 terror attacks.

"We are happy to see smile on Akash's face. He is good at studies. His target was to score at least 85 per cent marks. But due to the death of his father, he was a bit nervous," said Kavita, who along with his son saw the results on Internet in the afternoon.

Perhaps it was the first happiest moment they are celebrating after the death of Hemant, feels Kavita.