MP, ex-MLAs, others join last rites of martyr
Gopal Sharma
AKHNOOR, May 6: A pall of gloom descended at Dalpat Chak village near Kirpalpur in Jourian area of Akhnoor Sub Division in Jammu district, after the body of martyr Neelam Singh, wrapped in tri-colour and kept in a decorated Army vehicle, arrived at his native village today.
Right from Akhnoor town up to Martyr’s village, hundreds of youth in the form of a bike/car rally escorted the decorated Army vehicle, chanting loud slogans…..” Shaheed Neelam Singh Chib Amar Rahe”….. “Indian Army Zindabad’…..” Bharat Mata Ki Jai’…. and so on. The bikes, cars and other vehicles, part of long rally were fitted with national flags. Besides youth of the area, many ex-servicemen also joined rally and last rites of the martyr.
The 10-year-old daughter-Pawna Chib and 7-year-old son-Ankit Chib of Hav Neelam Singh, made every one in tears when both of them literally fell on the body of their father, screaming, ” Please, get up Papa, talk with us,…..say something to us. Why are you not getting up Papa?” Click here to watch video
The shattered children stretched out their hands to touch the face of their father, an ace Para-trooper Neelam Singh, who lay in a coffin, wrapped in National flag.
Standing next to the kids, their shell shocked mother- Vandana Chib was in disbelief at her husband’s lifeless face held between her hands before she broke down.
Pertinent to mention here that Singh was among the five soldiers who were martyred in an explosion triggered by terrorists on Friday in the thickly forest area of Kandi in Rajouri district, where an operation is underway to flush out terrorists.
A very emotional and heart-rending scene was witnessed at the house of martyr where a large number of villagers and men in uniform from his Para-Commando Unit had gathered to pay their last rites. Many were in tears while others tried to make their way through a crowd of hundreds who had gathered to catch the last glimpse of the ‘brave son of the soil’.
A Defence spokesman said that the mortal remains of the martyr Hav Neelam Singh were brought in a cavalcade from the Air Force Station in Jammu, where Lt Governor of JK UT, Manoj Sinha and Northern Army Commander, Lt General Upendra Dwivedi, among other top Army, Police and officials in the civil administration paid homage to the soldier at a wreath-laying ceremony.
Slogans like …. “Neelam Singh Amar Rahe” echoed at his native village as Vandana Chib, his wife saluted her husband last time. Singh was cremated with full military honours at Dalpat Chak (Kirpalpur) village at the bank of river Chenab this afternoon. His brother- a CISF jawan, Angad Singh, lit his pyre amid chants of “Jai Shaheed, Jai Army, Jai Hind”.
Recalling the last time Singh’s visit at home, his father Hardev Singh Chib said he is proud of his son.”I am proud of my son. He was a brave Commando, who laid down his life while fighting terrorists in thick forest area of Rajouri. He was born a warrior. From his childhood days, Neelam wanted to join Army,” Hardev Chib recalled.
A few days ago, he had come home for a while, a broken father recalled, adding, “He was so dutiful that he just had tea and left for his Unit.”
” Neelam was inducted into the Army in 2003,” his father revealed. Singh’s father-in-law, Capt ( Retd) Raghvir Singh Bhau, standing next to him also shared Hardev’s sentiments.
“He was brave and never feared anything. He was part of dozens of successful operations in various parts of Jammu and Kashmir. He brought laurels to his Para Unit and the Army,” he narrated. Villagers described Singh as a helpful man.
“I joined the Armed forces just because Neelam Singh encouraged and helped me. I am indebted to him,” said a villager, Rameshwar Singh at the funeral.
Meanwhile, Member Parliament from Jammu-Poonch Constituency, Jugal Kishore Sharma paid tribute and attended the cremation of Hav Neelam Singh martyred in Rajouri terror attack. He was accompanied by DDC Chairman- Bharat Bhushan, Vice Chairman DDC Suraj Singh, former MLA Akhnoor Rajeev Sharma, former MLA from Chhamb/Khour Dr Krishan Lal Bhagat, former VC Kissan Board Daljit Singh, senior leader Jagdish Bhagat and others, at Martyr’s village Chak Kirpalpur (Dalpat) in Akhnoor Assembly Constituency.
The MP said the highest sacrifice of jawans in terror attack can not be forget and soon a befitting reply would be given to the terrorists by our armed forces. He strongly condemned the cowardly attack by the terrorists and said that their martyrdom will never go in vain.
Jugal said that Pakistan and its terrorists are trying to show their existence by carrying out such ghastly acts. He added that Pakistan and its sponsored terrorists are trying to disturb the atmosphere of Jammu and Kashmir but they would be neutralized soon.
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