Villagers mourn soldier’s death
From Tribune Reporters

NABHA, July 17 — Thousands of residents of Mohali village, near here, and surrounding areas bid a tearful farewell to Sepoy Harjinder Singh of 22 Punjab Regiment yesterday. The soldier had laid down his life while fighting Pak intruders in Sambha sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Our son has made the supreme sacrifice for the nation and we are proud to be his parents", said Mr Kesar Singh and Mrs Harbhajan Kaur, father and mother of the martyr.

Among those who paid homage to the hero were Mr Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, Rajya Sabha member, Mr Govind Singh Kanjhla, Minister, Mr Anirudh Tiwari, Deputy Commissioner, Sangrur, Mr Arpit Shukla, SSP, Sangrur and Sant Narain Dass Moni.

The martyr was cremated with full military honours in the afternoon. Major P.B. Thapa laid a wreath on the body on behalf of the defence forces.

Hav Rajbir Singh cremated

BHIWANI: The body of Havildar Rajbir Singh was brought to his native village Mohri in Dadri subdivision of the district on Thursday.

Havildar Rajbir Singh had died on May 15 while recapturing the Bajrang post in Kaksar sector from the Pakistani intruders. He belonged to 4 Jat Regiment. He was cremated with full state and military honours on Thursday evening.

Wreaths were placed on the body of the martyr by former Chief Minister, Mr Hukam Singh; former Lt. Governor of Pondicherry — Mrs Chandravati; MLA — Mr Satpal Sangwan; Deputy Commissioner — Dr R.B. Langayan, and Secretary of Zila Sainik Board — Capt S.K. Kaushik and others.

Tearful adieu to Sepoy

NURPUR: Mortal remains of Sepoy Santokh Singh (28), of 20 J and K Rifles were consigned to flames yesterday at his native village Jatoli with full military and state honours.

Mr B.K. Aggarwal, Deputy Commissioner, Kangra, and Mr K.C. Sadyal, SP, Kangra, laid wreaths on behalf of the Governor and the Chief Minister, respectively. Captain Alok Gupta laid a wreath on behalf of the Northern Army Command. Thousands of people drawn from all sections of society attended the funeral of the gallant hero who was recruited in the Army nine years back.

14th martyr from district cremated

AMRITSAR: The 14th Kargil martyr from the district, Naik Sucha Singh, of 14 Light Infantry was cremated at his native village, Kaleka, near Baba Bakala, with full military honours today.

Naik Sucha Singh was killed in a blast in the Kargil area on July 15. His body was brought to his village last evening by an Army contingent.

Lt Col Gurdeep Singh of the 15 Independent Infantry Division represented the Chief of Army Staff at the cremation. The Punjab Government was represented by the state Animal Husbandry Minister, Dr Rattan Singh.

Others present at the cremation were the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Narinderjit Singh, senior civil and police officials and political leaders besides panches and sarpanches.

Naik Sucha Singh leaves behind his wife Jasbir Kaur and four sons.

Hav Baldev Raj killed

JALANDHAR: Havildar Baldev Raj of 7 Dogra Regiment, a resident of Benewal village in Hoshiarpur district died in a mine blast in Chhamjorian sector (Jammu and Kashmir).

The valiant soldier will be cremated with full military honours at his native village tomorrow.