Days after three Indian soldiers, including Punjab’s Colonel Manpreet Singh, laid down their lives in an encounter in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district, state’s one more son of the soil Sepoy Pardeep Singh made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Hailing from Punjab's Patiala district, Sepoy Pardeep’s body was recovered on Monday evening — five days after he had gone missing during a search for militants in the dense Gadole forest area of Kokernag in Anantnag district, South Kashmir.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed profound grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of Sepoy Pardeep Singh, who was serving in the Indian Army. In a statement issued, the Chief Minister lamented the loss of another soldier from the state during the recent terror attack in Anantnag.
Mann acknowledged the immense dedication of Sepoy Pardeep to safeguard the unity, integrity, and sovereignty of the nation. He described Pardeep Singh's martyrdom as an irreparable loss for both the country at large and the distressed family in particular.
The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved family, assuring them of the Punjab Government's support during this grave crisis. He emphasized that Pardeep Singh's supreme sacrifice would forever inspire fellow soldiers and young minds to perform their duties with unwavering devotion and commitment.
Pardeep Singh, born on April 20, 1996, was a native of Balamgarh village in Samana tehsil of Patiala and was just 27 years old and had recently celebrated his first anniversary with his wife, Seema Rani, whom he married in November of the previous year. Their happiness was further amplified with the news of Seema's pregnancy.
The last time Pardeep had come home on leave was in May, a month he spent cherishing precious moments with his family before returning to his duty station. His decision to join the Army was driven by a deep-rooted passion that had ignited when he was in Class VIII.