Pall of gloom descends on deceased jawan’s native village in Kurukshetra

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Kurukshetra, October 29

A pall of gloom descended on the native village of army jawan Mandeep Singh, who was killed by terrorists in Machil sector in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

The family members of the 30-year-old were inconsolable.

Several women from Aantehri village here reached the jawan’s house on Saturday and tried to console Mandeep’s widow. The couple had got married two years ago, the family said.

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Deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria also visited the jawan’s home and offered her condolences.

The martyr’s neighbours described him as a “go-getter” who always had a smile on his face.

Subhash, husband of the sarpanch of the village, said Mandeep was a helpful person who always offered help to anyone who approached him in need.

Mandeep’s widow Prerna is a head constable with Haryana Police and is posted at Shahbad Markanda here.

Mandeep joined 17 Sikh Regiment as a sepoy in 2008 and got married in 2014

His father Phool Singh, a truck driver, said the government should give a free hand to the army to tackle the menace from Pakistan. He said Mandeep had called him around 10 days ago and promised to him to come home on Diwali.

His brother Sandeep Singh said, “Give me a chance to join the army. I would avenge his death.”

His cousin Jagbir Singh, an ex-serviceman, said it was an act of cowardice and urged the government to take revenge.

The mortal remains of Mandeep will reach the village by 5pm and would be consigned to the flames later.

Mandeep’s sacrifice came within a week after Sushil Kumar (47), a BSF constable was martyred in Jammu district. He also hailed from Kurukshetra district and belonged to Pehowa town. With PTI