Pooja’s hopes to celebrate first Lohri with in-laws turn gloomy
*14 terrorists killed this year so far: DGP
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Jan 13: All the hopes of nine-month pregnant Pooja Devi who was preparing to celebrate the first Lohri with her in-laws today dashed to ground as her husband Rohit Chib, a Selection Grade Constable of J&K Police attained martyrdom while fighting the terrorists of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) in Pariwan area of South Kashmir’s Kulgam district yesterday.
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The tragedy cast gloom over the family who were all preparing for the new born baby whose birth was expected any time now as Pooja was nine months pregnant. All hopes turned into despair for the family who lost their sole bread earner.
The situation turned more grave for the family as yet -to -come -in the world -infant has become orphan in the womb of the mother. The only satisfaction for the family, the relatives of the martyr and friends was that Rohit laid down his life while bravely fighting terrorists.
The lone bread-earner for the family 32 year old Rohit has left a four member family behind including his wife Pooja Devi, ailing mother Neena Devi, sister Deepika and brother Karan. He was married just one year back and the couple was expecting the child by this month but they did not know that luck had something else in store for them.
Rohit’s family had left Kashmir in 1990 during the mass exodus of minorities from Valley and he was selected as a constable in Jammu Kashmir Police (JKP) in the year 2011. He was putting up at Jagti township at present. As his body reached Jagti in the morning, a pall of gloom descended on the family and neighbors as everybody was in shock. It became difficult for the neighbors to console the sobbing and wailing family members as the tragedy spelt doom for them.
The people remained stunned as words failed to console the wailing and sobbing family who were asking everyone what happened to Rohit all of a sudden. “We have never dreamt that he will meet such a quick end”, said Rohit’s mother in a chocked voice. “Who will take care of me as we all were dependent on him,. He was a caring son, a responsible member of family who took all responsibilities over his shoulders after the demise of his father Ashok Kumar,” she added.
The body was brought in a decorated police van to Jagti. As the coffin was brought down from the van the slogans “Rohit Chib Amar Rahe”, rent the air by the hundreds of mourners who said that Rohit’s supreme sacrifice will not go waste. They also demanded action against the house owner who deceived the security forces and they were attacked by terrorists in deceit. They said Rohit was a brave cop and he did not give in but fought with terrorists with his full might. Later the body was taken to Jogi Gate cremation ground, here where it was consigned to flames with full military honour. The wreaths were laid on the body by DGP Police Dilbag Singh, ADGP Mukesh Singh and other senior police, civil officers and political leaders from different parties.
Karan, the younger brother of martyr demanded justice for the family. Rohit’s friends who had gathered at his Jagti residence said that besides the compensation the wife of Rohit, Pooja who is a post graduate should be given a suitable Government job. They also demanded a memorial be also build on his name and his ailing mother be given life long pension.
Meanwhile, Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh said that 14 terrorists, including seven Pakistani nationals, have been killed in eight encounters in the Union Territory so far this year and asserted that anti-terrorist operations will be intensified to clear the region of terrorism.
The Police chief paid tribute to Rohit Chib who attained martyrdom during an encounter with terrorists in Kulgam district of south Kashmir on Wednesday. In the operation, Pakistan-origin Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist Babar was killed and five, including two civilians and three soldiers, were injured.
“This year, we have undertaken eight successful operations. As many as 14 terrorists have been killed in these operations. Among these 14 terrorists, seven are Pakistani terrorists,” Singh told reporters.
The police chief further said the terror modules and their networks helping terrorists are also being eliminated.
“The elimination of these terrorists are going on at a fast pace. In these operations, seven terrorists who had come from Pakistan to engineer terror have been eliminated,” he said.
He said people heaved a sigh of relief in 2021 as there have been largescale elimination of terrorists. “We will clear this land of terrorism so that people live in an environment of peace,” he added.
The DGP appreciated his work in the Special Operation Group (SoG). “He had volunteered to join SOG. He was recruited in 2011. He was doing excellent work. Three years ago, he got a special out-of-turn promotion one-rank above others,” the DGP said.
Singh said Chib led from the front in the operation without caring about his personal safety, but was hit by a bullet.
Despite being injured, he played a big role in neutralising the top terrorist, the DGP said.
“Unfortunately he succumbed to his injuries…. We are proud of him for fighting bravely in the operation,” he said
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