Both Havildar Ravi Paul and Subedar Karnail Singh, two brave soldiers of 10 Dogra, hailing from Ramgarh tehsil in Samba and Bisnah in Jammu were cremated with full military honours in their native villages on Monday.
The duo sacrificed their lives in the deadliest fidayeen strike on an Army base in Uri on Sunday in which 18 Indian soldiers were martyred.
Their elder sons lit the pyre in the presence of thousands of mourners who had converged at the cremation grounds to bid farewell. Anger was visible on the faces of mourners as they demanded strong retaliation against Pakistan.
Wrapped in Tricolor soon after their mortal remains reached their villages, senior Army officers, politicians, and state govt functionaries lined up to pay rich tributes to the brave hearts. Amid chanting of patriotic slogans their funeral processions were joined by hundreds of people.
The duo were preparing to return home soon as advance parties of their unit had already reached Pathankot family station.
Havilder Ravi Paul is survived by two sons,wife Geeta Rani and ailing mother Mala Devi. Before performing the last rites of his father, 10 year old Vansh, holding Tricolour in his hands sat for a while besides his father’s coffin. He vowed to join the Indian Army as a doctor to fulfil the dream of his father.
Joginder lal, elder brother of Havildar Ravi Paul, an ex-serviceman himself, while paying rich tributes to his younger brother urged the Govt of India to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. Joginder Pal said, “condemning the fidayeen strike in strong words is not sufficient. Time to take strong action has come as we cannot afford to sacrifice our brave jawans”.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi must walk the talk and allow the Indian Army to respond militarily,” he demanded. Similar sentiments were echoed by several local villagers at the cremation ground The mood in Bisnah tehsil of Jammu was equally charged up. Here family of Sub Karnail Singh bid tearful adieu to their loved one. He is survived by his wife,Geeta Devi three sons Anmol,Arun and Shibam and mother.