Kathua, February 5

The mortal remains of Rifleman Shubam Singh, who was martyred in Pakistani firing in the Rajouri sector, were consigned to the flames with fullmilitary honors at his native village Mukundpur in Kathua district hereon Monday.Shubam Singh (23) was killed during a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan army in Rajouri district last night.Army Officers, district administration officials and a large number of people were present when the martyr’s last rites were performed this evening.Earlier, a pall of gloom descended on Mukundpur when Shubam’s body, wrapped in the Tricolor, was brought to the village. To give vent to their anger, villagers took out a rally in the border belt, raising anti-Pakistan slogans.“We are proud of Shubam who sacrificed his life for the country, but on the other hand we are annoyed over the attitude of the government, who did not given a befitting reply to Pakistan for its repeated misadventures,” said Rakesh Choudhary, a former sarpanch.“The last time when he left for duty after spending his holidays, he said there was no mobile signal in his post so he had got in touch through an STD call,” Pankaj, a close friend of Shubam, said with tears in his eyes. The whole village is benumbed by the news of his martyrdom, he added.Shubam is survived by his parents, three sisters and one brother.

Villagers hold anti-Pak rally

• A pall of gloom descended on Mukundpur when Rifleman Shubam’s body, wrapped in the Tricolor, was brought to the village. To give vent to their anger, villagers took out a rally in the border belt, raising anti-Pakistan slogan