Lance Naik Raj Singh Khatana (29), who was martyred on Saturday in a terrorist attack in Doda district in Jammu & Kashmir was laid to rest with State honours in his native village of Damdama in Sohna, on Monday afternoon.
Singh was survived by his wife Ravita Devi and three children — two sons Rishab (10), Anurag (6) and a daughter Ishika (8). Singh was the elder of three brothers and two sisters.
The body was taken in a special vehicle from Delhi to his house in Damdama village. The last journey was attended by local residents, relatives and officials from the Haryana Government and the Indian Army.
Based on information of the presence of terrorists in village Tasnal of District Doda (J&K), a joint operation was launched by Indian Army and Police in the suspected area. After cordoning off the area, the terrorists were asked to surrender.
However, they resorted to indiscriminate firing. During the ensuing firefight, Khatana was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries on Saturday night.
“Khatana had joined the Indian Army in 2011 and was presently posted in Doda. Raj Singh had last visited his native during 45 days leave period in December 2019 and spent time with his wife, children and family members. During the holidays, he also arranged married his two younger sisters Neetu and Payal,” Singh’s relative said.
Meanwhile, Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar condoled the death of Raj Singh on his Twitter account.
Also, the BJP MP, Sukhbir Singh Jaunapuria on Monday condoled the death of the Lance Naik and visited Singh’s village.
“My brother was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. I am proud of my brother’s sacrifice,” the martyred Singh's brother Sonu Khatana said.