Amir Karim Tantray

Tribune News Service

Jammu, April 10

Again a family has lost its only son. After the retirement of his father, Rifleman Vinod Singh was the main source of income for his family. He was a pivot around which his family revolved.Vinod Singh (24), a soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI) Regiment, was killed along with his colleague Jaki Sharma in the Sunderbani sector during unprovoked firing and shelling by the Pakistani army on Monday. Both soldiers were grievously injured and succumbed to their injuries later.As Rifleman Vinod Singh’s mortal remains were on way to his native Danapur village in the Jaurian area of Jammu district, hundreds of people had gathered in his house to pay last respects to the soldier.Emotional scenes were witnessed as Vinod Singh’s mortal remains reached his native village. People thronged the house to a get a glimpse of the soldier who laid down his life for the country while guarding the Line of Control.The slain soldier was cremated with full military honours. Pro-Army and anti-Pakistan slogans were raised at the funeral.His father Ajit Singh, an ex-serviceman, was surrounded by neighbours and relatives who were trying to console him in the hour of grief.“Both India and Pakistan should understand that violence will only lead to devastation. Only peace can bring prosperity. If they cannot bring peace on the borders, they should go for a full-fledged war so that the issue is resolved once and for all,” Ajit told mediapersons at his home.Rifleman Vinod Singh is survived by his aged parents and two elder sisters, one of whom is unmarried.“There were no marriage plans for Vinod at present as one of his elder sisters is yet to get married. But we had bigger plans for him which will never materialise now,” said Pawan Singh, Vinod’s uncle.“My nephew was energetic and always wanted to join the Army. It has been four years since he joined the JAKLI. He had come home a month ago,” Pawan said.Emotional scenes at Hiranagar tooKathua: Amid heart-rending scenes, family members bid adieu to Rifleman Jaki Sharma, who was killed in Pakistani shelling and firing in the Sunderbani area on Monday evening. Jaki, who hailed from Sanyal village of Hiranagar, is survived by father Dharamveer Sharma, mother Neelam Sharma, wife Rajni Devi and two-year-old son Kanav Sharma. Thousands of people, including Army and police officers, attended the funeral and laid wreath on the martyr’s body. OC