Kashmir: In a heartwrenching moment, the six-year-old son of Colonel Manpreet Singh, one of the three killed in a clash with terrorists in Anantnag, Kashmir, paid his final respects by saluting his father’s body. The boy donned military camouflage while he offered a salute after his father’s body arrived at their home in Mullanpur, Mohali district, Punjab. His two-year-old sister stood alongside, mimicking the salute, seemingly unaware of the profound tragedy that had befallen their family. Local people held them up as a large crowd gathered to honour Colonel Singh.
On Wednesday, two military officers and a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Jammu and Kashmir Police made the supreme sacrifice when they came under attack by hiding terrorists belonging to Lashkar-e-Toiba.
Col Manpreet Singh’s wife, sister, mother, and other family members were inconsolable, visuals from the spot showed.
#WATCH | Son of Col. Manpreet Singh salutes before the mortal remains of his father who laid down his life in the service of the nation during an anti-terror operation in J&K’s Anantnag on 13th September
The last rites of Col. Manpreet Singh will take place in Mullanpur… pic.twitter.com/LpPOJCggI2
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2023
Colonel Manpreet Singh, 41, was the leader of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles and had received a Gallantry Medal. He died from gunshot wounds during a joint military and police operation against terrorists.
Major Ashish Dhonchak, who was with Colonel Singh and moved through the entrants and rugged terrain of the forests when they caught heavy fire, was also honored in his hometown of Panipat, with thousands of mourners paying respects. After a wreath-laying ceremony and a gun salute, Major Dhonchak’s last rites were held in his native Binjhol village.
The funeral procession of Major Dhonchak took three hours to cover a distance of about eight kilometers and drew a large crowd of mourners.
Similarly, the funeral of Deputy Superintendent Himayun Muzamil Bhat in Budgam also saw a large gathering, with Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and Police Chief Dilbag Singh paying their respects to the police officer.