‘Proud of my son’s sacrifice for motherland’
Bivek Mathur
SAMBA, Feb 12: The small hamlet of Bri Kamila in the Purmandal area of Vijaypur Tehsil in Samba District was bustling with a feast organized by the parents of Naik Mukesh Singh
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Manhas on Tuesday (February 11) to pay their respects to a local demigod, as their son, engaged in January this year, was set to marry on April 18.
Little did they know about the events unfolding in the border village of Akhnoor in Jammu District, where Mukesh Singh Manhas, son of Chagatar Singh, was posted.
They repeatedly dialled his number on February 11 but without success. Around 6 PM, they received a call from the Army unit in Akhnoor, informing them about an IED blast in the area and their son’s injury.
Half an hour later, the Army confirmed that Mukesh had succumbed to his injuries along with Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi from Ranchi, Jharkhand, in an IED blast carried out by terrorists from across the border in Laleali village.
As the news spread, the entire village was in shock.
Mukesh had returned to his Army unit on January 28 after his engagement. His two married sisters had spoken to him just a day before the tragedy. Shattered, they participated in their brother’s last journey, placing a “Sehra” and “Rakhis” on his head.
Mukesh was given a tearful adieu as thousands of locals, shouting slogans like “Shaheed Mukesh Singh Amar Rahe” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai,” attended his funeral held with full military honours at Devika Ghat around 4 Pm.
BJP Chief Sat Pal Sharma, local legislators, and senior police and Army officers also attended the funeral, paying their last respects to the martyr.
His father, Chagatar Singh, a retired Sub-Inspector, said his son sacrificed his life in the line of duty like a true soldier.
“A soldier does not retreat when the enemy dares to enter his territory. I am proud of my son, who made the supreme sacrifice while protecting the motherland,” he told reporters.
According to him, his son had served in the Army for over nine and a half years.
“He was posted in Siachen Glacier (Ladakh), Kashmir, and Punjab before moving to Akhnoor recently. He returned to his unit on January 28 after a two-week leave for his ring ceremony,” Chagatar Singh said.
Mukesh’s younger brother, also a soldier posted in Nashik, Maharashtra, reached the village around 12 PM to pay his last respects.
Chagatar Singh said his son joined the Army at a very young age to fulfil his dream of serving the country.
“He was a cricket lover and made extraordinary efforts during his recent stay in the village to prepare a cricket pitch for the youngsters,” said Mahesh, a childhood friend of the martyr.
Chuni Lal, another resident, said Mukesh was full of energy and always motivated youngsters to engage in sports.
“We have lost a true gem in a cowardly terrorist attack. The enemy lacks the courage to face our brave soldiers and resorts to such actions. We believe our security forces will take appropriate action to ensure justice for the martyrs,” he said. Chagatar Singh, wished for his son’s sacrifice to be avenged by the Army.
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