Mortal remains of JCO killed in J-K encounter consigned to flames in Himachal

The mortal remains of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) who was killed in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, were laid to rest in his native village in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, on Tuesday.

Kumar, a resident of Barnog village in the Nachan Assembly constituency, was killed in a gunfight that broke out on Sunday in Kishtwar. Three other commandos were injured in the encounter.

The body of the martyr was airlifted to Mandi on Monday evening in a helicopter and kept at the mortuary of Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, Nerchowk. It was later brought to his native village for the last rites.

Kumar’s family was overwhelmed with grief as his body arrived at the village. His seven-year-old son, Parnav, lit the pyre, while thousands of people gathered to pay their respects. Among those present were Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and other officials. Slogans of "Shahid Rakesh Kumar amar rahe" (Long live martyr Rakesh Kumar) echoed through the air.

Kumar is survived by his 33-year-old wife, Bhanupriya, daughter Yashshwani (13), son Parnav, and his 90-year-old mother, Bhati Devi.

His brother, Karam Singh, shared the family’s heartbreak: “My brother had a dream of building a new house. He had come home on leave just a month and a half ago and had promised to start construction in January next year.” He added, “Our 10-room house was damaged in last year's monsoon, and his family has been living in a rented house since then.”

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Naib Subedar Kumar.

In a statement, Chief Minister Sukhu said, “The nation will forever honour the ultimate sacrifice of this brave soldier.” Deputy CM Agnihotri added, “The nation and the state will always be indebted for the selfless and supreme sacrifice of this brave son.”