Lance Naik Sindhu cremated with full state honours in Kaithal village

Lance Naik Narendra Singh Sindhu, from Kaithal’s Rohera village in Kaithal district, was laid to rest with full state honours on Wednesday.

Wrapped in the Tricolour, his body was brought to his native village, where thousands of villagers, relatives, ex-servicemen and officials from the Army and district administration, leaders of political parties gathered to pay their final respects.

Sindhu, 28, attained martyrdom on Monday during an encounter with terrorists in Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir. As his mortal remains reached the village, grief and pride filled the air.

Since his younger brother is in the US, his cousin, Rohtas, performed the last rites by lighting the funeral pyre. The Army accorded a guard of honour, and senior officer L A Singha presented the National Flag to the martyr’s father, Dalbir Singh, a farmer, who stood tall with tears in his eyes and pride in his heart.

“I am proud of my son’s sacrifice. He has brought glory to our family and the nation,” said Dalbir Singh, saluting his son.

Narendra Singh joined the 3 Raj Rifles in 2017 and was posted to the National Rifles unit in Srinagar four years ago. His maternal uncle and former soldier Azad Singh said that Narendra was on patrolling duty with his unit when terrorists ambushed them at around 11 am. Despite being grievously injured in the firing, he continued to fight before succumbing to his injuries in hospital. His upcoming birthday on October 5 was to be celebrated with his family during leave in early October, but destiny had other plans.

He is survived by his father, mother Roshni Devi, a homemaker, a younger brother, and two married sisters.

At the cremation, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Ajay Singh paid floral tributes on behalf of the district administration. He announced that, as per the orders of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the martyr’s family will be provided with financial assistance of Rs 1 crore, a government job, and the government school in the village will be renamed after Lance Naik Narendra Singh Sindhu.