Avtar Bhat
KATHUA/SAMBA, Feb 5: The mortal remains of two Army martyrs, Rifleman Subham Singh, 23 of village Mukandpur Choudharian, Marheen in Kathua district and Havaldar Roshan Lal , 43 of village Nicholas Ghagwal in Samba district who were martyred in ceasefire violations by Pakistani army on the Line of Control (LoC) in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri yesterday, were consigned to flames with full military honours in their respective native villages this evening.
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A large number of people including their kith and kin, friends and relatives, villagers, police and Army personnel gave emotional adieu to the brave solders who laid down their lives for their motherland.
The civil and police officers including Ministers and politicians attended the funeral processions and bade good bye to the two valiant soldiers who made every countrymen proud with their gallantry.
There was hardly any eye in the two villages which was not wet. The people especially women were wailing and sobbing when the bodies covered in Tricolour were brought to the villages.
There were horrible scenes as no body mustered courage how to console the family members including the young children of Havaldar Roshan Lal and sisters and brother of Rifleman Subham Singh as family members knew the hard reality that they will be never with them again to share their joy and sorrows.
While Havaldar, Roshan Lal’s family was totally in grief and shock as they have lost their dear one, his son Abhinanddan, a class 10th student said that he is really proud of his father who sacrificed his life for the nation. He mustered lot of courage and lit the pyre of his father with a heavy heart.
His 13 year old daughter Atika Sharma was bemoaned after seeing the dead body of her father whom she used to see in full combat dress usually.
As the body reached the village the “anti Pak slogans” rent the air and people wanted to avenge the killing of Indian soldiers. The bemoaned father of Roshan Lal who had lost his wife earlier could not withstand the tragedy. However, he had all praises for his brave son whom he termed a valiant soldier.
G S Budwar, Brigadier of the Unit termed Roshan Lal a brave soldier who had also worked under him 10 years back. He said sacrifice of martyr will not go waste. “We gave befitting reply to enemy and inflicted 15 casualties on opposite side”, he added.
He said this land is of brave people and “in every battle we are ready to lay down our lives for the protection of our nation”. The children of this soil in coming times will also repeat the history and will fight the enemy bravely and they will never look back.
He said martyr Roshan Lal worked with him in Manipur and Gurez also and every one was admirer of his courage and bravery.
DC Samba, Sheetal Nanda, SSP Samba, Anil Magotra, Army officers and other civil officers were present during the last rites.
At village Mukandpur Choudharian in Hiranagar district of Kathua, a large number of mourners assembled in the village from near by villages after hearing the news. As the body reached the village the “anti Pak” and “pro India” slogans rent the air. The mourners wanted that India should retaliate and avenge the killings.
Subham Singh, 23 had joined Army over two years back and he was the only bread earner of the family as his father Parshotam Singh is a farmer by occupation. Martyr Shubam Singh had many responsibilities in his family. He has three sisters and one younger brother. Out of three sisters one was married while the other two are studying in MA and class10th respectively. His younger brother is also a student of10 th class.
He had planned to construct a new house for himself in the village before marriage of his sister but the God has chosen him for supreme sacrifice, said his wailing father. His mother fell unconscious after hearing the news.
Parshotam Singh said though the family suffered a heavy loss in the martyrdom of his son but Shubam made him and the villagers to feel proud of himself as he laid down his life for his motherland and a great cause.
He said that Government should take strong steps against Pakistan as every day our soldiers are attaining martyrdom on borders guarding the nation.
The members of Ex Servicemen Association, who also attended the funeral procession, cursed Pakistan for its misadventures and wanted that India should attack Pakistan now.
The funeral procession was also attended by Forest Minister, Ch Lal Singh who having all praises for brave soldiers said that it is totally unfortunate that India has a neighbour like Pakistan. He said to divert the attention of its people, Pakistan is resorting to unprovoked firing on borders. Besides, MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Raj, DC Kathua, Rohit Khajuria and SSP Kathua Suleman Choudhary also attended the funeral procession.
Meanwhile, a wreath laying ceremony was organised in honour of the brave martyrs; Captain Kapil Kundu, Havildar Roshan Lal, Rifleman Ramavatar & Rifleman Subham Singh who laid down their lives guarding the nation’s frontiers while serving at the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri sector.
A military send off was organized at Rajouri wherein, wreaths were laid on behalf of Lt Gen D Anbu, Army Commander, Northern Command and by Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC White Knight Corps and Maj Gen MV Suchindra GOC Ace of Spades Division.
Captain Kapil Kundu aged 22 years, belonged to District Gurgaon, Haryana and is survived by his mother Mrs Sunita. Havildar Roshan Lal aged 42 years, belonged to District Samba, Jammu & Kashmir and is survived by his wife Asha Devi. Rifleman Ramavatar aged 27 years, belonged to District Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh and is survived by his wife Rachana Lodhi. Rifleman Subham Singh aged 23 years, belonged to District Kathua, Jammu & Kashmir and is survived by his father Parshotam Singh.
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