Punjab soldier’s wife mourns, her hands still adorning mehndi, arms with wedding bangles move many to tears

Army soldier Lance Naik Pritpal Singh was killed during an anti-terrorist operation in the dense forests of Kulgam, Jammu and Kashmir, on Friday night. Another soldier  who was killed has bene identified as Sepoy Harminder Singh from Badinpur (Mandi Gobindgarh).

The operation has been ongoing since August 1. His family in Khanna’s Manupur village was informed at 5 am on Saturday.

The devastating news shattered the household, especially his wife Manpreet Kaur, who had married Pritpal just six months ago on February 26.

The sight of her hands still adorned with mehndi and arms with wedding bangles moved many to tears.

Pritpal joined the Indian Army in 2015, right after completing his Class 12. He is survived by his elderly parents, wife, and two brothers, Manpreet and Harpreet Singh. The family said they were dependent on him financially and emotionally.

His brother shared that their last conversation was on Friday, during which Pritpal spoke of the intense encounter with terrorists and expressed hope that the Army would eliminate them soon.

“He was supposed to come home later this month. We had planned to celebrate our first Diwali together,” his wife said in tears.

The cremation is expected to be held in Manupur village on Sunday. The entire village and nearby regions are mourning the loss of a braveheart who gave his life for the nation.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 1 crore each for the families of two soldiers from the state—Lance Naik Pritpal Singh from Manupur (Khanna) and Sepoy Harminder Singh from Badinpur (Mandi Gobindgarh)—who were martyred.

Taking to social media, CM Mann expressed deep grief and saluted the bravery of the soldiers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The Indian Army’s Chinar Corps also paid tribute, stating that the courage and dedication of the bravehearts will continue to inspire generations.

The joint operation in Kulgam, involving the Army, CRPF, J&K Police, and SOG, is still ongoing, with one terrorist neutralised so far.