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Indian Express
2 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
Sepoy Harminder Singh: A Tricolour homecoming for Punjab's braveheart
A hushed sadness prevails in Badinpur, village of Fatehgarh Sahib district of Punjab where dreams of home renovations and marriage now lie beneath a tricolour-draped flag. Sepoy Harminder Singh, aged 27, soldier of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, paid the ultimate price during Operation Akhal in Kulgam, Jammu & Kashmir, on August 8 when militants lobbed a grenade amid intense gunfire. He was enrolled in army in December, 2016. His mother, Gurpreet Kaur, spoke to the mediapersons through tears, 'Harminder had thought of getting his house renovated and we were also insisting him to get married… he had told me that whenever he will come on holiday, he will surely think about marriage… but who knew that he will come wrapped in a tricolour.' Village sources mention that Gurpreet remains inconsolable, and his father, Jaswant Singh, along with his sister, are both battling serious health issues for long now deepening the family's sorrow. On the auspicious day of Raksha Bandhan, the family was mourning over the loss of their son. His uncle, Darshan Singh, said, 'Our government should take strict steps to deal with terrorists… the army should be given a free hand to combat terrorists… our young bravehearts are getting martyred.' And Harminder's friend Gurminder Singh, said, 'He used to inspire others to work towards fitness and get enrolled in army… he was an inspiration to all of us… we are proud of his bravery but at the same time we are in grief over losing him.' Harminder will be cremated on Sunday morning in Badinpur, with full military honours. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a heartfelt post on X, solemnly said: 'In an encounter with terrorists in Kulgam… the tragic news was received of the martyrdom of soldier Pritpal Singh… and Sepoy Harminder Singh from the village of Badinpur… We express our heartfelt condolences to the families. We salute the spirit and bravery of the soldiers… an ex-gratia of ₹1 crore each will be provided to the families.' The Chief Minister added, 'Their dedication and bravery will always be remembered,' and reaffirmed Punjab's unwavering support for the bereaved in this time of grief. Meanwhile the operation Akhal has been continuing in Kulgam since August 1.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
A newlywed & a lone breadwinner: 2 Punjab bravehearts lay down their lives fighting terrorists in Kashmir's Kulgam
1 2 3 4 Ludhiana/Fatehgarh Sahib: Punjab is mourning the two Armymen killed in the Kulgam anti-terrorist encounter on Saturday -- Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, 28, and Sepoy Harminder Singh, 26, of Sikh Light Infantry. Both of them were deployed in anti-terror ops with 19 Rashtriya Rifles. Pritpal was married barely six months ago and Harminder was the sole breadwinner for his family, supporting his parents and a mentally-ailing sister. Both soldiers were engaged in fierce combat since Aug 1 when the operation was launched -- it's already the longest encounter in the Valley this year. Hailing from Manupur village in Khanna, Pritpal joined Army in 2015 right after passing his class 12 board exam, said his elder brother, Harpreet. According to the Army, Pritpal was fatally wounded by splinters when a hiding terrorist lobbed a hand grenade at him. "We got a call at 5.30am today from one of his buddies. He said Pritpal was wounded, and started crying. An hour later, a call came from his unit officers who said he had been martyred fighting terrorists," said Harpreet, adding, "He was married on Feb 24 and returned to duty in April." Manupur village is in mourning. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like How Much Does It Cost to Rent a Private Jet - The Prices May Surprise You! Private Jet I Search Ads Learn More Undo The soldier's father Harbans Singh said, "I last spoke with him a couple of days ago, and he said he was fine. Today his officers called to say he went down fighting." "He was supposed to come home on leave at the end of this month and again after Diwali," the elder brother said. Pritpal came from a fauji family. Two of his uncles were also in the Army. Homage will be paid to him at his unit and then flown to Halwara airport, a member of the local ex-Serviceman association, Captain Harjinder Singh (retd), said. It will be brought to Manupur, 80km away, by road and he will be cremated with full honours. Sepoy Harminder's uncle Harbans Singh said he was due to return home in October for the marriage of his cousin (Harbans' daughter). "He had told me that he would take care of all the arrangements. Don't worry, he assured," said Harbans, adding that the family planned to arrange Harminder's wedding next. Harminder is survived by his elderly parents, a brother and a sister. "They are living in abject poverty. Harminder's father Jaswant is landless and works as a labourer. He was their lone hope," he added. Harminder had joined the Army eight years ago, driven by patriotism, and dreams of building a house — a dream that remained unfulfilled. His body is expected to reach the village on Sunday for cremation. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
J&K: 2 soldiers killed as 9-day Kashmir gunfight grinds on
SRINAGAR/LUDHIANA: Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, 28, and Sepoy Harminder Singh, 26 — both of Sikh Light Infantry and attached to 19 Rashtriya Rifles — were killed Saturday in an ongoing gunfight with Pakistan-trained terrorists in south Kashmir's Kulgam district as one of the valley's longest counterterrorism operations in recent years stretched into its ninth day. The counteroffensive, codenamed Operation Akhal, began Aug 1 in Akhal Khulsan forest on intelligence of three to five terrorists in the rain-lashed, rugged mountains. Army, paramilitary and J&K police units — backed by drones, helicopters and para commandos — have so far killed at least two terrorists and left about 10 security personnel wounded, according to sources. The deaths took the toll of security personnel killed in operations in J&K this year to 16 — three in Kashmir valley and 13 in Jammu division, including three from Pakistani firing during the standoff following Operation Sindoor. Army's Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said the two soldiers from Punjab 'fell in the line of duty'. 'Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved families,' it posted on X. Pritpal from Manupur village in Khanna district was married Feb 24 and had returned to duty in April. He joined the Army in 2015 after clearing class 12, continuing a family tradition — two of his uncles served in uniform. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo 'We got a call at 5.30am saying he was wounded, and then another an hour later saying he died fighting terrorists,' said his elder brother Harpreet. His father Harbans said Pritpal last told him two days ago he was fine and would come home on leave at month's end. According to the Army, Pritpal was hit by splinters when a hiding terrorist threw a grenade at him. His body will be flown to Halwara air force station and taken by road to Manupur for cremation with full military honours. Harminder from Mandi Gobindgarh in Fatehgarh Sahib district was the sole breadwinner for his parents and an ailing sister. He joined the Army eight years ago. 'He had told me that he would take care of all the arrangements for my daughter's wedding in Oct. 'Don't worry,' he assured,' said his uncle Harbans Singh, adding the family had planned to arrange Harminder's wedding next. 'They are living in abject poverty. Harminder's father Jaswant is landless and works as a labourer. He was their lone hope.' His body is expected to reach his village Sunday for cremation. J&K CM Omar Abdullah paid tributes at Chinar Corps HQ in Srinagar, while LG Manoj Sinha said: 'Their valour, grit and determination will never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the bereaved families.' Northern Command chief Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and J&K DGP Nalin Prabhat have reviewed the operation on the ground. The seek-and-shoot sweep is part of an intensified crackdown after the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack. Security forces have killed 14 terrorists in Kashmir zone this year, including three top Lashkar-e-Taiba operatives linked to the Pahalgam attack, slain in Srinagar on July 28. (Inputs from Bharat Khanna in Fatehgarh Sahib)
