Avtar Bhat
SAMBA, Jan 4: The mortal remains of martyr Mool Raj, a jawan of Dense Security Corps (DSC) who was seriously injured while fighting fidayeens from Pakistan during their attack on Air Base of Pathankot on Saturday and succumbed to his injuries at Pathankot Army Hospital yesterday, were consigned to flames with full military honours at his native village Jakh Chandi in Vijaypur tehsil of Samba district today.
The Army personnel presented a guard of honour to the son of the soil by reversing the weapons. Yashpal Singh, Brigadier, 92 Infantry Brigade represented the Army during cremation which was also attended by Minister of Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga, SSP Samba, Joginder Singh and other military, civil and police officers.
“Mool Raj Amar Rahay” and “Jab Tak Sooraj Chand Rahay Ga, Mool Raj Tera Naam Rehay Ga” rent the air as the pyre was lit by his son, Ashish.
Earlier, a pal of gloom descended the village after hearing the news that the Mool Raj has attained martyrdom on Saturday morning while fighting fidayeen who had attacked Army Base at Pathankot.
Thousands of people from Jakh Chandi and adjoining villages rushed to the residence of the brave soldier to pay their last respects to him. The tears yelled from the eyes of many mourners including the relatives of the soldier while his family members including his mother, wife, Gaytri Devi and children were in shock as they had lost their sole bread earner and a support of the family.
The children and other relatives were seen sobbing and wailing after the dead body reached the village from the Pathankot.
The family had never expected that they will receive such sad news about the Mool Raj who was a popular figure in the village and inspiration for youngsters to join Army and serve nation. Three days back Mool Raj had joined his duty after spending vacation at his native village. The family and the villagers had never hoped that he will return so soon and it will be so shocking, said a local resident and neighbor of Raj.
Mool Raj was such a dedicated soldier that after his retirement from Dogra Regiment in 2002, he joined the DSC in 2004 as he had a passion to serve the defence force to take on daring challenges.
Not caring for his life, he along with his other colleagues tried to chase the fidayeen during Saturday morning with a resolve to finish them who had managed to enter the Airforce Base at Pathankot. But the terrorists who were loaded with the arms and ammunition hurled a grenade on them in which Mool Raj among others got injured. He was shifted to Military Hospital Pathankot for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries yesterday.
The 47 year Mool Raj, son of late Sardari Lal is survived by his mother, wife Gaytri Devi, daughter, Pooja and son, Ashish. His son is studying in BA Part II while the daughter is a student of BA Part Ist. His children are in total shock as they needed his guidance and support at this juncture of their career.
Before returning to join his duties in Pathankot, he took promise from his children that one day they would make him feel proud of them.
“Instead he made us proud! Though the lacuna that his absence created in our life will never be filled, but we are proud to have a father like him,” said Ashish Kumar Mool Raj’s son.
“He was home to celebrate the New Year with his family and returned to join his duties in Pathankot on January 1. Who knew this would be his last visit”, Pawan Kumar, younger brother of the martyr said.
“You laid down your life for the nation… We are proud of you papa,” said his daughter Pooja Devi.
Pooja, gave a shoulder to the body of her father.
“I am proud of you dad and want that every child should get a brave father like you”, she said.
“Our father always wanted us to do something big in life, we will follow his footsteps and join the Army and serve the motherland as our father did in his life,” Ashish said.
Gayatri Devi, the widow of the fallen warrior says that she has been lucky to have married a man who never backed away from his duties and served his motherland till his last breath.
“Earlier, he belonged to us, but now he belongs to the entire nation. I am proud of him that he laid down his life to save the lives of 1.25 billion people of this nation,” she said.
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