Parveen Arora
Tribune News Service
Karnal, February 12

A pall of gloom descended on Dinger Majra village in the district on Tuesday following the death of Havildar Baljeet Singh (35) in a gunfight in Jammu and Kashmir.

The gunfight broke out when joint teams of security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in the Ratnipora area of Pulwama district. One militant was also killed in the gunfight.

A soldier of the 50 Rashtriya Rifles, Baljeet had joined the Army in January 2002. He talked to his wife and children over phone on Monday night. He told them that he would come home for a vacation, but destiny had something else in store for him. He is survived by his wife Aruna, father Kishan Chand (75), daughter Jannat (7) and son Arnav (3).

As per family members, his mortal remains would reach the village on Wednesday and the last rites would begin around 9:30 am.

As the news reached the village, hundreds of people thronged his house to console the grieving family and express grief. Several youths of the village were serving the armed forces.

“Officials informed us about Baljeet’s martyrdom this morning. We were informed that before laying down his life, he killed one militant. We are proud of his sacrifice,” said Dilbag Singh, Baljeet’s cousin.

He had served as NSG commando in VVIP duties between 2015 and 2017. Aruna said he had come home on Diwali and talked to them on Monday night.

“Baljeet was a brave man and great son. I am proud of my son,” said the martyr’s father. Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan said the government would extend help to the family as per its policy.