Martyr from Bet area cremated
From Tribune Reporters

GURDASPUR, July 12 — Thousands of men, women and children were present to bid tearful farewell to Sub Nirmal Singh of the 8 Sikh Regiment at the cremation ground of his native village of Chhina Bet in this district with full civil and military honours today. The martyr is the third soldier of the Bet area of the Beas and sixth of the district to lay his life while fighting the enemy in the Kagril-Dras sector.

The body of the martyr was brought to Jammu by air on Sunday from where it was transported by road to the village. The body was carried to the cremation ground by Army personnel.

A contingent of the Army saluted the body, fired several shots in the air, reversed its arms and sounded the last post. The eldest son of the martyr, Harjit Singh (11), lit the pyre.

Earlier, Mr Mohan Lal, Forest Minister, placed a wreath on the body of the martyr on behalf of the Chief Minister of Punjab. Lt Col K.S. Aulakh placed a wreath on behalf of the Station Commander of the Tibri cantonment. Mr S.K. Sandhu, Deputy Commissioner, Mr Varinder Kumar, SSP, Mr Pardeep Sabharwal, Subdivisional Magistrate and Mr J.S. Mann, Deputy Director, Sainik Welfare and several ex-servicemen also placed wreaths as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Sub Major Amrik Singh of the 8 Sikh Regiment, who accompanied the body of the martyr, to the village, said the martyr laid down his life in a counter attack 400 yards downside of the Tiger Hill on July 6. As many as three JCOs and 15 jawans of the regiment also lost their lives during this attack. The martyr was an outstanding player of basketball and had put in more than 24 years of service. His unit was stationed at Pathankot before it moved to Awantipur in Jammu and Kashmir on May 6. The regiment was subsequently shifted to Dras on May 14.

The martyr is survived by his mother Shanti Devi, who is mentally retarded, his wife Manjit Kaur, sons Harjit Singh (11), and Malkiat Singh (10) and two brothers, Balwant Singh and Mohan Singh. The father of the martyr died five years ago. The martyr owned a small land holding in native village and the family entirely depended upon his salary.

The native village of the martyr comprises about 300 houses and has more than 100 of its residents in the defence forces.

He was lone bread earner of family

NURPUR: Thousands of mourners bid a tearful farewell to Rifleman Jagjit Singh (23) of the 28 Rashtriya Rifles at Kotpalari village, 15 km from here on Monday. He made supreme sacrifice at the Mushkoh Valley in the Kargil sector on July 10. He was hit by artillery shelling from Pakistan intruders. The body of the martyr, who was a bachelor, was brought to his native village on Sunday night.

The mortal remains of the rifleman were consigned to flames with full military and state honours. Jagtar Singh, younger brother of the martyr, lit the pyre. Army personnel fired in the air and reversed their arms as a mark of respect to the departed hero.

Capt Rajesh Yadav placed a wreath on the body on behalf of the Northern Army Command. Mr Rakesh Pathania, local MLA and vice-chairman, H.P. Tourism Development Corporation, and Mr Lalji Singh, Divisional Commissioner, Kangra, placed wreaths on behalf of the Chief Minister and the Governor, respectively.

Mr Pathania said the government has decided to name the village's Government High School and the approach road after the name of the martyr. Rifleman Jagjit Singh is survived by his parents, two sisters and a brother. He was the lone bread earner of the family. His father, an ex-serviceman and former panchayat pradhan, with tears in his eyes revealed that his son had refused wedding proposals a few months ago by saying that he had yet to serve the nation.

Tearful adieu to 4 martyrs

ROHTAK: As many as five soldiers of Jhajjar and this district have lost their lives fighting the enemy in the Kargil sector during the past few days, raising the number of martyrs from these two districts to 19 so far in the current conflict between India and Pakistan.

Bodies of four soldiers were cremated with full military honours on Sunday and Monday. While three of them belonged to Jhajjar district, the fourth belonged to this district.

The body of Sepoy Dharambir Singh of the 17 Jat Regiment who fell to the enemy shelling while capturing the Pimple post, was cremated at his native village of Dakla in Jhajjar district. The body of Havildar Balwan Singh of the same regiment, who was also died in the above mentioned operation, was consigned to flames at his native village of Jindran in Rohtak district.

The two soldiers who were cremated on Monday also belonged to the 17 Jat Regiment. Havildar Hari Om, son of Chandran of Khungai village in Jhajjar district, was given a tearful adieu by a large number of people. His father had also retired as a Havildar in the Army. Survived by his wife two minor sons and aged parents, the martyr was the only earning member of the family.

The other martyr who was given a tearful farewell was Lance Naik Rajesh Kumar of the same regiment and belonged to Jhanswa village. His father had also served the Army several years ago. He is survived by his wife Munni, two young children and mother Karia Devi.

District Jhajjar leads the state with 11 of its brave soldiers having sacrificed their lives while fighting for the country in the ongoing conflict.

Meanwhile, the district administration has received information that soldier Suresh Kumar of Mokhra village had laid down his life in the Kargil sector and his body was likely to arrive here on Tuesday morning.

Batalik hero laid to rest

PANIPAT: Another brave soldier, Mohd Riyasat Ali of Adhmi village in the district, has laid down his life while fighting intruders in the Batalik sector.

According to Sheruddin of Sohar Malpur village, who brought the body of the soldier, Riyasat Ali killed three Pak intruders before succumbing to injuries in a close fight on July 3. His body was recovered by jawans of the Indian Army on July 8.

The body, wrapped in a Tricolour, was brought to his native village in a military vehicle on Sunday and was entombed with full police and state honours. The Minister of State for Animal Husbandry, Mr Bijender Singh Kadian, Superintendent of Police, Manoj Yadav, Subdivisional Magistrate P.K. Sharma, the Secretary, Zila Sainik Board, Maj Mohinder Singh and representatives of social and voluntary organisations paid tributes to the martyr.

Riyasat Ali's father Naseebuddin felt proud of his son's supreme sacrifice and said he was ready to send his other three sons to join the Army for the sake of country. Riyasat Ali is survived by his wife, two sons, a daughter, parents, three brothers and two sisters.

His wife Shakeela had received a letter about four days back from Riyasat Ali in which he had written that he might not return alive from this place, so she should take care of my father, mother and children. She said though his death was a great loss to the family but "I will bring up my two sons and enrol them in the Army", she said beaming with pride.

Younger brother lights pyre

KAPURTHALA: Naik Baldev Singh (30), of the 8 Sikh Regiment, who laid down his life fighting against Pakistani intruders in recapturing the Tiger Hill on July 6, was cremated at his native village of Shalapur Dons in Sultanpur Lodhi Subdivision on Monday with full military honours.

His younger brother Hardev Singh lit the pyre.

Naik Baldev Singh left behind his wife and a 14-month-old son. He had performed the marriage of his sister on April 9 last year.

A large number of people, including women and children, besides political leaders and district officers attended the funeral.

Wreaths were laid by Punjab Technical Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur, Deputy Commissioner V.K. Singh, SP Munish Chawla, Additional Deputy Commissioner S.S. Bains, SDM Sharma, Col P.P. Singh and Lt Col S.K. Dutta.

The martyr received injuries on the head, chest and a leg in a cross-firing. He did matriculation from Government High School, Kolar, and was recruited to the Army about 12 years ago.

Sepoy's remains consigned to flames

BHIWANI: The last remains of Sepoy Surendra Singh, aged 22 years, were consigned to flames on Monday in his native Bardu Dherja village of Loharu with full state and military honours. Sepoy Surendra Singh lost his life after attaining the goal of capturing the peak 4875 in the Dras sub-sector. He was serving in the 17 Jat Regiment.

Sepoy Surendra Singh's father Hawaldar Shri Chand had also fought in the 1965 Indo-Pak war.

Mr Surendra Singh, former M.P., Mr Ram Bhajan Aggarwal, Minister of State for Tourism, former Agriculture Minister Jagan Nath, Mr Hira Nand Arya, former minister, Mr K.S. Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Mr S.S. Deswal, SP, paid floral tributes to the martyr.

19-year-old Sepoy who killed 4 intruders

HOSHIARPUR: Mortal remains of 19-year-old martyr Sepoy Sukhwinder Singh of the 8 Sikh Regiment, who laid down his life while repulsing the attack of Pakistani intruders when they were trying to recapture the Tiger Hill, were consigned to flames at his native village of Daulatpur Gilljan, about 25 km from here, on Monday. A contingent fired in the air and reversed its arms as a mark of respect to the departed soul.

Jarnail Singh, father of the Sepoy, lit the pyre.

Sepoy Sukhwinder Singh was a bachelor and is survived by his parents, two brothers and two sisters.

According to army sources, martyr Sukhwinder Singh fought the intruders bravely and killed four of them before laying down his life for the nation.

Mr Iqbal Singh, Sidhu, Deputy Commissioner Mr R.P. Mittal, SSP, Col Balbir Singh, Lt Col J.S. Sandhu and Lt Manpreet Kaler placed wreaths on the body and paid rich tributes to the martyr.

Sepoy Sukhwinder Singh is the 5th martyr of the district to sacrifice his life for the country.

"Marry my fiancée to my younger brother"

AKALGARH (Patiala) —"For how many hours did my son fought with the enemy before attaining martyrdom". This was the only reaction of Vimal Kaur on receiving news of the death of her third son Sepoy Gurmail Singh, who laid down his life while fighting Pak intruders in the Tiger Hill operation.

Twentyfour-year-old Sepoy Gurmail Singh belonging to the 8 Sikh Regiment was cremated with full military honours at his native village here. He is the second martyr from the district in the ongoing Kargil conflict.

Belonging to the family of landless Mehar Singh, Sepoy Gurmail Singh was the third of four sons and three daughters. His two elder brothers are settled in Malaysia and Lebanon, while the younger one is also serving in the Indian Army and is presently posted at Ferozepore.

His parents were making arrangements for his marriage but destiny had something else in store for them. A close family friend revealed that Gurmail Singh was engaged to a girl last month.

While proceeding to Kargil he had only one thing to say, "If I don't come back, marry my fiancée to my younger brother".

Scores of residents and school children of the village and surrounding villages along with military and civic administration officials defied heavy rains waiting for the mortal remains of the brave soldier.

Capt A.S. Randhawa, Additional Deputy Commissioner, revealed that "as many as 22 youths out of the total village population of about 700 are serving in the Army".

Raja Narinder Singh, Public Health Minister, representing the state government, laid a wreath on the body. He announced that the link road leading to the village would be named after the martyr. Raja Narinder Singh announced release of Rs 30,000 for building a shed over the cremation site.

Mr Harmel Singh Tohra, former MLA, also laid a wreath. Col A.M. Roy, 90 Armoured Division, represented the Indian Army in paying homage to the martyr.

More contribute to martyrs’ fund
From Tribune Reporters

FATEHGARH SAHIB, July 12 — The SGPC has decided to contribute Rs 31 lakh to help the families of Kargil martyrs.

This was disclosed by Bibi Jagir Kaur, President, SGPC, here today. She said the decision in this regard was taken at a meeting of the executive committee held at Gurdwara Fatehgarh Sahib today.

MOGA: Members of the local Navin Kala Mandir yesterday presented a draft for Rs 6 lakh towards Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to Mr Vijay Chopra, Editor-in-Chief of the Hind Samachar group of publications, at a special function held at Chokha Palace here. Mr Joginder Paul, Chairman of the Moga Improvement Trust, was the chief guest. The money was contributed by philanthropic institutions, businessmen and other organisations.

KULU: Medical officers of the district have contributed Rs 67,500 to the Chief Minister’s Sainik Welfare Fund. This was stated here today by Dr Om Pal Sharma. The staff and students of Ram Sharan Shikshan Sansthan of Basiyanda village in the Manikaran valley have donated Rs 41,141. They collected the amount from residents of Hatkandu, Kanawar and Chung villages. All teachers working in the government schools in the Kulu education block have donated one month’s salary towards the fund. Residents of new Mandi have donated Rs 10,000. The employees of Lahaul forest division have contributed Rs 19,591.

BATALA: Rs 50,000 have been collected from two grain markets here for the welfare of the families of Kargil martyrs. The old grain market contributed Rs 37,000 and the new grain market contributed Rs 13,000 towards the cause. The funds were collected by Mr Jagdish Sawhney, the local BJP MLA, along with some social workers and handed over to Mr A.K. Sinha, SDM, for the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund.

NAWANSHAHR: Blood Donors Council, a local social organisation, has started a round-the-clock registration drive to register the names of persons willing to donate blood for the jawans of the Indian armed forces battling in the Kargil, Dras and Batalik sub-sectors. This was stated by Mr Pushp Raj Kalia, secretary of the Punjab State Blood Donation Committee here today.

JAWALAMUKHI: A protest rally against Pakistani intrusion in Kargil was organised at Pragpur, 18 km from here, on Sunday. Mr Nawaz Sharif’s effigy was also burnt by the residents. Mr B.K. Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Kangra, lauded a contribution of Rs 5 lakh by residents of Pragpur towards the Sainik Welfare Fund. The Deputy Commissioner and the SSP, Kangra, Mr K.C. Sadyal said they would donate one month’s salary towards the fund. The Beopar Mandal of Chintpurni also contributed Rs 31,000. The Principal and staff of the high school, Channour, also donated Rs 7,655.

GURDASPUR: Citizens of Dhariwal contributed Rs 40,000 towards the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund. Rotary Club Midtown announced a donation of Rs 5,000 for the widow of Subedar Nirmal Singh of the district, who laid down his life on July 6 while fighting Pakistani intruders.

SUNDERNAGAR: The members of the Beopar Mandal Mahadev donated Rs 25,790 to the Chief Minister’s Sainik Welfare Fund yesterday. The President of the mandal, Mr Mohan Lal Gupta, presented the draft for the amount to Mr Rup Singh Thakur, Forest Minister. The extra departmental postal agents of Mandi division donated an amount of Rs 2,100. They have already donated one day’s salary towards the fund.

ROPAR: Members of the local unit of Punjab State Veterinary Officers Association and the PSEB Engineers Association of the local thermal plant have decided to donate one day’s salary for the welfare of Kargil heroes and their families. Mr R.L. Bawa, an engineer and a winner of Shaurya Chakra in the 1971 conflict, now working with the PSEB here, has announced to donate 10 days’ salary.

The local Rotary Club has pledged to contribute Rs 30,000 to the Army Benevolent Fund. The local Gujarat Ambuja Ladies Club has donated Rs 5,000 for Kargil heroes.

BATHINDA: The local Dodhi Union today gave a cheque for Rs 21,000 to the Deputy Commissioner here as its contribution towards the families of those who had laid down their lives in the Kargil sector. The activists of the union also burnt an effigy of Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Mr Nawaz Sharif at the bus stand chowk.

SHAHABAD: Rs 1.47 lakh was donated by citizens and various organisations of the town, including the Vishva Hindu Parishad, Sanatan Dharam Sabha, Bharat Vikas Parishad and Markandeshwar Mandir Sabha, for the welfare of the jawans fighting on the Kargil front to the SDM. The SDM said voluntary contributions amounting to over Rs 15 lakh had already been received in Kurukshetra district towards the Chief Minister’s War Heroes Relief Fund.

KATHUA: The Kathua Industrial Unit Holders Association donated Rs 1 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund at a special function on Sunday, which was organised by the local Association of Industrial Estate. The sum was presented to Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister.

Presenting the cheque to Dr Farooq Abdullah, president of the association, Mr Surinder Singh, said one day’s production of their industries would be donated for the jawans fighting in the Kargil sector. Mr Sadhu Ram Mittal, Chairman and Managing Director of S.R Vanaspati here, donated 51 tins of vegetable ghee for the jawans.

HOSHIARPUR: Dr S.S. Sharma, President and Dr S.N Tiwari, General Secretary of the Senior PCMS Association, Punjab, respectively, have donated Rs 10,000 each towards the welfare of Kargil martyrs’ families.

YAMUNANAGAR: Ballarpur Industries Ltd (BILT) has donated Rs 10 lakh towards the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund for Kargil martyrs. Mr A.N. Pathak, Vice-President, BILT, handed over a cheque for the amount to Mr Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Commissioner. The amount included one day’s salary of the employees and the share from the management. Mr Bhim Singh Dahiya, former MLA and Vice-Chancellor of Kurukshetra University, has also donated his one month’s pension to the relief fund.

Mr Rajiv Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, said employees of the local Starch Mill have also sent a cheque for Rs 51,000. He added that the people of Kharwan village near here have donated Rs 26121. Mr Niranjan Singh Saini, President of the District Bar Association, Jagadhri, has sent a draft for Rs 3,500 to the Army Central Welfare Fund. Mr J.P Jain, General Manager of the local Haryana Distillery, has sent a draft for Rs 77,000, as one day’s salary of the employees, to the fund.

Mr Ashwani Nanda, President, Brick-Kiln Owners Association, has sent a draft for Rs 1.40 lakh and Union Bank of India has contributed Rs 11,000 to the relief fund.

AMBALA: Members of the local Citizen Council, met the injured jawans admitted to Army Hospital here and presented them a kit containing a towel, tooth brush, soap, antiseptic cream and a mug.