Even before the mortal remains of Subedar Sukhdev Singh,martyred in a ceasefire violation by Pakistan on the line of control in Nowshera sector of Rajouri late Monday night, arrived in his native village Peoni falling under Majalta tehsil of Udhampur district on Tuesday, his daughter Tanvi Rajput took a pledge to serve the Indian Army by becoming an ace shooter, as desired by her father.
“My father was a brave soldier and an 'ace shooter'. When he was off duty and staying at home he used to train me and motivate me to become a shooter. After completing my studies I would like to serve the Indian army and become an ace shooter like my father” Tanvi Rajput told reporters while paying glowing tributes to him at her village home in Peoni on Tuesday.
Holding the hands of her younger brother in her lap, Tanvi kept repeating the last words uttered by her father. “Beta when you will complete your class 10th i will start your training, i want to become shooter like my father”
Subedar Sukhdev Singh, labeled as 'sher' (Lion) in his native village, had also participated in the Kargil war.
Remembering Singh's valour one of his ageing uncles said, “Sukhdev was very courageous. He never showed his back to his enemies. He led from the front, was not afraid of meeting death on the front line.
“I have lost my son but I am proud he sacrificed his life defending the borders of the mother nation”.
As his mortal remains, wrapped in a tricolor wheeled inside his native village in a military truck, patriotic slogans were raised by hundreds of youngsters holding tricolor in their hands. After close family members performed rituals at home several hundred people escorted brave 'son of the soil' on his last journey to the cremation ground where his last rites were performed with full military honors.
Saluting the courage and valour of the valiant soldiers, the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said that our brave Army personnel are serving the nation with utmost dedication and determination.
“The nation will remain indebted to brave hearts like Subedar Sukhdev Singh who made supreme sacrifice to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity to ensure a safe and secure environment for our citizens”, said the Lt Governor.
Since October 1, four soldiers of the Indian army and two CRPF personnel have attained martyrdom in different incidents in Jammu and Kashmir.
Two soldiers identified as Havaldar Kuldeep Singh and Rifleman Shubham Sharma attained martyrdom along the line of control in Nowgam in Kupwara on October 1 while Lance Naik Karnail Singh sacrificed his life in Poonch on September 30. Two CRPF personnel identified as Constable Shailendra Pratap Singh and Dhirendra Tripathi were martyred in a terror attack along the NH 44 in South Kashmir district of Pulwama near Pampore on October 5.