Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Feb 15: Thousands of mourners drawn from all walks of life gave touching adieu to Sepoy Ravi Kumar of 3 RR (14JAKLI) who was cremated with full military honours at the cremation ground of his native village in Tabela Sarore Adda in Bari Brahmna tehsil of Samba district.
Sepoy Ravi Kumar had attained martyrdom during an encounter with militants in Mohalla Hajin in Bandipora district of North Kashmir yesterday.
The wreath ceremony was also held in which Minister for Industries and Commerce, Chander Prakash Ganga, IGP Jammu S.D.Jamwal, DDC Sambam Sheetal Nanda and SSP Samba Joginder Singh laid wreaths on the body of martyr.
The body of Shaheed Ravi Kumar which was wrapped in Tri Colour reached his home around 2:45 pm today. It was received by family members, his relatives and villagers. The entire village was in shock and pal of gloom had descended on it after hearing the news yesterday. The tears yelled the eyes of villagers as the body reached there.
Shaheed Ravi Kumar is survived by his father Rattan Lal, mother Shakuntala Devi, brother Kavi Kumar, sisters Rekha and Bandana, wife Esha Devi and 3 years old daughter Ruhani Ratta.
Amongst others who paid floral tribute to Shaheed included MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, BJP State president Sat Sharma, MLA Samba Dr. D.K. Manyal, former minister and senior vice president of NC Surjit Singh Slathia, former minister and PCC general secretary S. Manjit Singh, Samba district president BJP Jungvir Singh Chiku, JKNPP leader Rajesh Padgotra and a large number of people.
Not knowing about the what fate had in store for him sepoy Ravi Kumar had talked to his father Rattan Lal two days back on phone and informed him that he was coming to his home on leave after some days as he had to get her daughter admitted in a school. “ I told him very good you come but I don’t know that he will come in this condition and give a rude shock to us all’’, added Rattan Lal.
However jostling between pride and grief the father of martyr said that he feels proud of his son for laying down his life while fighting the terrorists for his motherland but at the same time he feels worried for his young wife and three year old daughter.
Rattan Lal said that his son after passing the 12th class was adamant in joining the Army to serve his nation. He joined the Army over 14 years back. “My son was brave and daring and so he felt overwhelmed in joining Army’’.
However Rattan Lal said that how for nation will give sacrifices of its soldiers in fighting terrorism in Kashmir. The Government should take a decision once for all and go for “Aaar Paar’’ war so that the issue is settled for decades to come and no lady in future will become widow or a child becomes orphan.
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