Draped in tricolor, the body of Lance Naik Pritpal Singh, 27, from Manupur village of Ludhiana district, reached his village Sunday and the cremation was performed with full military honours.
He was killed in action during a gunfight with terrorists in South Kashmir’s Kulgam, Friday. He had got married just five months ago.
The Operation which started nine days ago at Kashmir’s Akhal Forest, is among the longest military operations against terrorists in the Valley in the recent years.
His newly wedded wife Manpreet Kaur bid him adieu with red choora (bangles) still on her wrists and mehendi (henna) on her hands. In Punjab, the red choora is worn by new brides for at least six months after marriage.
The couple had got married just five months ago on February 24 and since then Pritpal hadn’t come home on leave to spend time with Manpreet. The family was expecting him on Diwali to celebrate the newlywed couple’s first festival together in their recently renovated house.
Elder brother Harpreet Singh hugs deceased soldier’s photo during cremation. (Express Photo)
Speaking to The Indian Express, Harbans Singh, father of the deceased soldier said: “We have been devastated. Just two days ago on August 8, my daughter-in-law Manpreet had applied mehendi (henna) on her hands as she was preparing for Raksha Bandhan festivities and had to go to parents house to tie Raakhi to her brother. My son (Pritpal) had sent some money to buy whatever she wanted for the festival. The same day my son died fighting the terrorists in Kashmir. She is our like our daughter.”
“Since the day they got married in February, they did not spend much time together as he had left for duty immediately after marriage. We were expecting him on Diwali to celebrate but he will never return now,” said the wailing father.
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During the marriage in February this year. (Express Photo)
Samrala MLA Jagtar Singh Diyalpura along with sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Rajnish Arora paid tributes to the soldier on the behalf of Punjab government. The Indian Army gave a gun salute to the brave heart before his mortal remains were consigned to flames.
Diyalpura said that Punjab government will provide financial assistance of Rs 1 crore to the family as announced by chief minister Bhagwant Mann.
Manpreet Kaur bidding adieu to her husband with red choora still on her wrists. (Express Photo)
Pritpal Singh had joined the force in 2015 and his uncle (father’s elder brother) had also retired from the Army.
