Capt Pawan Kumar Khatkar’s father (left) at his home in Jind.

N Kalia

Jind, February 21

The family of Captain Pawan Kumar Khatkar is proud of the supreme sacrifice made by their son for the motherland. Captain Pawan Khatkar (23) of the 10 Para was killed in an encounter with militants in the Pampore area of Jammu and Kashmir in the wee hours today. He will be cremated at his native Badana village with full military and state honours on Monday. His body will be brought to Jind in an aircraft.Captain Pawan Khatkar was the only son of his parents. His father Rajbir Khatkar said it was a proud moment for them when they came to know about the martyrdom of their son this morning. The headmaster of Government School in Budha Khera village of Haryana’s Jind district, Rajbir said: “I received a phone call at 3 am and one of the colleagues of Pawan told me that my son had got injured in the encounter. Later, I received another call in the morning from the regiment headquarters, confirming his martyrdom.”“I talked to Pawan for the last time on Friday. He told me about the ongoing encounter with militants in the Pampore area,” said Rajbir. He said: “To join the Army was Pawan’s childhood dream. He was selected for the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, in 2009. Later, after being trained at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Army in 2013.” “Initially, Pawan was recruited in the 7 Dogra Regiment but later joined the 10 Para. Pawan was serving in Jammu and Kashmir since September 2015 and it was his fourth operation against terrorists in the Valley,” he further said.“My son was very efficient and a brave officer. He was the first to join the Army in our family,” said Rajbir. “Last month, Pawan had come home on leave. It was our last meeting with him,” said Rajbir. 

Army appeals to Haryana for martyr’s funeral

• As the agitation by Jats in Haryana rages on, the Army has appealed to the people of the state to extend their full support for a befitting farewell to Captian Pawan Kumar, who died fighting militants in J&K on Sunday. The mortal remains of the martyr will be flown to Jind on February 22 as the road traffic is disrupted due to the law and order situation in Haryana. The last rites with full military honours will be held at his native village on Monday. “I had one child, I gave him to the Army and to the nation. No father can be prouder,” said Rajbir Singh, Captian Pawan Kumar’s father.