Soldiers killed in avalanche cremated with state honours
The three soldiers of the Indian Army, who were killed in an avalanche in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, were cremated with full state honours in their native villages on Sunday.
The mortal remains of the three men reached their villages in Rajasthan on Sunday by road.
Havaldar Kamlesh Singh of Jhunjhunu, Sepoy Rajendra Singh of Alwar and Naik Balveer Singh of Bharatpur were killed when an avalanche struck their post in Machhil sector on Friday.
Naib Subedar Ritesh Singh from 21 Rajput regiment reached Bharatpur with the body of Balveer Singh, who is from Anjari village. Ritesh said that the three men lost their lives before reaching the hospital while one of them was rescued alive from the avalanche. Four soldiers were patrolling at 11,000 foot when the avalanche took place, he said.
In Bharatpur, Singh’s wife Guddi Devi and two sons, Gaurav (9) and Mohit (5) reached Anjari from Nadbai. The 33-year-old soldier had joined the army in 2001. He came home in October last
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year and returned to duty on November 14. His younger brother, Mukesh, is also in the army. The third brother, Balram, is a farmer.
Balveer’s father Devkaran Singh said the family was proud of their son, who laid down his life for the nation. “He said he will come home for Holi this year,” said Balram.
Bharatpur MP Bahadur Koli, MLA Anita Singh, SDM DC Meena, Col Hari Singh and Col Mukesh Sharma, president of Karauli District Sainik Welfare Board, attended the funeral.
In Alwar, Rajendra Singh was cremated in Maithna village.
In Jhunjhunu, district superintendent of police Manish Agarwal, Khetri SDM Sanjay Basu and other officials paid floral tributes to the martyr before they were cremated with full state honours.
District sainik welfare officer commander MA Rathore (retd.) and former MLA Ajaylal Gurjar were present at the funeral.
Kamlesh Singh’s brothers are also in the army. His sons, Rahul (20) and Ravikant (13), shouted slogans for India before lighting the pyre.