Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: An Army Havaldar injured in Pakistani troops’ shelling and firing on April 17 in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, succumbed to his injuries today. Soon after sustaining injuries in Pakistan shelling, the Army soldier had been evacuated from the site of firing and shelling and airlifted to the Military Hospital, where he attained martyrdom due to multiple injuries suffered by him. Click here to watch video
His death raised the number of persons killed in over 650 ceasefire violations by Pakistan in the State this year to 31, including 16 security personnel.
Charanjeet Singh, 42, hailing from Kalsian village of Nowshera in Rajouri district, succumbed to his injuries yesterday despite all out efforts by doctors to save his life.
Singh is survived by his wife Neelam Kumari, sources said, adding that he was a brave and sincere soldier.
“The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty”, a Defence spokesman said.
The spokesman said the mortal remains of the soldier had reached his home for last rites and he will be given a farewell with full military honours later in the day.
The India Army had retaliated very effectively to Pakistani shelling in Sunderbani sector and inflicted two to three casualties on Pakistani troops besides causing heavy infrastructural damages, sources said, adding that Pakistan has been given befitting reply for repeatedly violating ceasefire.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Bipin Rawat has saluted supreme sacrifice of Havaldar Charanjeet Singh and offered condolences to the brave heart.
Meanwhile, Pakistan army today violated ceasefire at Kirni and Kasba forward villages on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district. Pakistan army fired mortar shells and opened firing using automatic, semi-automatic and small fire arms targeting forward defence locations and civilian areas.
The Indian side retaliated effectively, leading to exchanges that continued intermittently throughout the day today.
However, there were no casualties or damage on the Indian side. Pakistan was, however, reported to have suffered damages in the Indian retaliation.
Some of the mortar shells fired by the Pakistani troops fell close to civilian areas at Kirni and Kasba but the people had very narrow escape.
There has been no let up in ceasefire violations from Pakistan side on the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri for the past about a year now, which has caused panic among the villagers living in the areas close to the LoC.
Only yesterday, Pakistani troops had violated ceasefire in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district but failed to cause any casualties or damages.
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