The escalating tension and exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troop on line of Control (loC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J & K) has brought darkness in a Dehradun house ahead of Diwali. Sandeep Singh Rawat a Rifleman of sixth Garhwal Rifles posted in Tangdhar area of J&K got martyrdom on Thursday. Son of an ex servicemen Harendra Singh Rawat, Sandeep got recruited in army only in January last year. The Rawat family belongs to Ghodpala village in Pauri Garhwal but it is residing in Navada area of Dehradun from last 12 years. As news of martyrdom of Sandeep spread a pall of gloom descended in the locality juxtaposed to the defence colony. In his post retirement assignment the father of dead soldier, Harendra Singh works as security person in the associated hospital of Government Doon Medical College (GDMC). His father informed that on Tuesday he talked with his mother Asha Rawat. Sandeep was planning to visit home in the first week of November.
Belonging to a family where serving in army is a tradition Sandeep did his early schooling from Kendriya VIdhyalaya. Incidentally his father too served in Garhwal Rifles. He passed class XII from Open school. Sandeep was a very good boxer and was recruited in the army from sports quota. It is learnt that Sandeep was also selected in police constable examination but the brave-heart preferred to serve in Army.
Meanwhile senior army officers paid a tribute to the Martyr in Srinagar on Friday. Sandeep was part of the group of GR soldiers who spotted some terrorists who were trying to cross lOC. In the ensuing gun battle Sandeep sustained injuries following which he was airlifted to 92 Base hospital Srinagar where he breathed his last. His mortal remains would be brought to his home in Dehradun.