Soldier killed in J&K as Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC

JAMMU/ SHIMLA: A soldier was killed early on Saturday as Pakistan breached the truce along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K’s Rajouri district, resorting to unprovoked firing and shelling targeting forward Indian posts and civilian areas. Since June 4, six soldiers and four civilians have lost their lives in ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC in the twin frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch.
“Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Rajouri, to which Indian Army effectively retaliated. In the cross-border fire exchange, Sepoy Rohin Kumar (24) from Galore Khas village in Himachal Pradesh’s Hamirpur district was critically injured and later succumbed,” Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand said.
The sepoy’s family had been making arrangements for his marriage that was scheduled to be held in November. The news of his demise plunged the entire village into mourning. The soldier of 14 Punjab Regiment was the only son of his parents, while his elder sister is already married. He had joined the Army in 2016.
Mortal remains of the martyr arrived in a helicopter at NIT ground in Hamirpur, from where his body was taken to his native village in a military vehicle and his last rites were performed with full military and state honours on Saturday night. “Martyr Kumar was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” Lt Col Anand added.
Earlier, four soldiers were killed in Rajouri district — Havildar Sambur Gurung on July 10 and Havildar Dipak Karki on June 22 in Nowshera sector; Naik Gurcharan Singh on June 10 in Manjakote sector; and Havildar Mathiazhagan P on June 4 in Sunderbani sector — while another, Sepoy Lungambui Abonmei was killed in Poonch’s Kirni sector on June 13. All four civilian deaths were reported from Poonch district — a 60-year-old woman was killed on July 8 and three of a family — a couple and their teenage son — were killed on July 17.
Condoling Rohin Kumar’s death, Himachal chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said, “He was a true hero who has left an exemplary legacy of valour and supreme sacrifice.”
(with inputs from Anand Bodh in Shimla)