Amid slogans of ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’, the mortal remains of martyr Garud Commando Gursewak Singh were on Monday consigned to flames at his native village Garnala in the district with full military honours.
The martyr’s family members were inconsolable as Hardeep, the elder brother of 25-year-old Gursewak, lit the funeral pyre.
The last rites of martyr Gursewak Singh, Guard Commando of Indian Air Force, who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting terrorists at Pathankot in Punjab, were performed with full state honour here. Gursewak Singh was among seven security personnel killed in the terrorist attack there.
In the morning, slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ rent the air as the body of martyr Gursewak Singh, draped in the tricolor reached here while the family members of the young Sikh, who was married in November, were inconsolable.
Haryana Ministers Anil Vij and Capt. Abhimanyu were present to pay tributes along with senior officers from the Air Force, besides personnel from the army, police and civil administration.
On the occasion, contingents of Air Force and District Police reversed their arms and fired shots in the air as a mark of respect to the departed soul.
Gursewak, whose icon was legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, had joined Indian Air Force about six years ago after completing his graduation and had got married in November last.
Gursewak’s father Sucha Singh also served in the Army, a tradition continued by the martyr, whose brother Hardeep, too, is in the defence forces. In fact, the martyr’s village is known to have made significant contribution to the defence forces by sending its youth to join the services.
The martry’s father Sucha Singh, who is a farmer, had earlier said that he was proud that his son had laid down his life for the country. Sucha Singh said that he received information about Gursewak’s martyrdom from his elder son, who is an officer in the Army.
“My boy had gone to serve the nation. I am proud of him. He has done his duty. We are sad too. Our elder son is also in the Army serving the nation. My younger son gave his life for the country. He was always good in studies and always wanted to join the Air Force,” said Sucha.
Haryana’s Health Minister Vij said the whole nation will remember the sacrifice of son-of-the-soil.