‘He spoke to his mother everyday; today she kept calling, no reply...’

An only son and two fathers: the three soldiers killed in attack on Army camp in Kupwara, J&K

son. He last came to Kanpur in February for the wedding of his elder sister Rupal, a probationary officer with a public sector bank.

Arun Kant told reporters in Kanpur that security personnel are getting killed but the government is only “talking about action while no action has been taken”. “I was watching the news... When they said he was from artillery, I got worried. Later my nephew, who too is in the Army, called me after a long time. It was very unusual. Then, I got a call from his unit,” he said.

“He had been in service for just about three years. I used to tease him, ask him to get married before I retire. But he would say he would not marry for two or three years,” his father said. “He would ask us to visit Srinagar; I would tell him there is so much turmoil in Srinagar. He would ask me why I should be scared when he was not; I would tell him I am a father and so will always worry,” he added. “He used to speak to his mother everyday. Today she kept calling all morning but there was no response...”

RAMENDRA SINGH