Rewari soldier gets tearful adieu, 10-month-old son lights pyre

Ravinder Saini
Tribune News Service
Rewari, February 19

Ten-month-old Lakshya, assisted by his maternal grandfather, lit the funeral pyre of his father Sepoy Hari Singh (26) of 55 Rashtriya Rifles, who was killed fighting militants in Pulwama district on Monday.

The mortal remains of the soldier were consigned to flames at his native Rajgarh village with full military and state honours. Thousands of grief-stricken people from nearby areas attended the last rites to bid a tearful adieu to the braveheart. They chanted slogans as soon as the body of the martyr reached the village in the morning.

Talking to mediapersons, Radha, his wife, said she was proud that her husband made the supreme sacrifice for the nation. Another relative of the martyr urged the Modi government to give a befitting reply to the militants.

“Stern action is needed to uproot terrorism from Jammu and Kashmir. The Modi government must act to prevent the martyrdom of soldiers,” said Ranjeet Singh, Hari Singh’s cousin, maintaining terrorist attacks would not be curbed without stringent action against the perpetrators.

He said Hari Singh was the third martyr from the village. Earlier, Sepoy Vedpal of Rashtriya Rifle had attained martyrdom during the Kargil war, while BSF Inspector Ratiram made the supreme sacrifice in Srinagar some years ago. At least one member of every family in the village was serving in the security forces, he said.

Hari Singh joined the Army eight years ago. He was awarded commendation certificate by his commanding officer two months ago for an operation in Kashmir on November 13, 2018.

Union Minister Rao Inderjit Singh, ministers Rambilas Sharma, Rao Narbir and Banwari Lal and Rewari MLA Randhir Singh Kaprivaas were among those dignitaries who attended the funeral.