Jammu: Thousands of mourners from all walks of life gave a heart touching adieu to Rifleman Ravi Kumar, who laid down his life in the line of duty in Rajouri on Tuesday.
Rifleman Ravi Kumar, posted in 63 RR of the Army, was cremated with full military honours at the cremation ground of his native village in Kishtwar district.
Reports said Rifleman Ravi Kumar had attained martyrdom during an encounter with militants in Rajouri district on Tuesday. He was a resident of village Vasnauti of Kalighar area of the district. As soon as his mortal remains reached home last late night there were screams from everywhere.
The entire village is in mourning due to the martyrdom of young Ravi. He was about to get married in December this year. Preparations were going on at home for his marriage.
His marriage was fixed on 3rd and 4th December.
Army Brigadier, District Deputy Commissioner Devansh Yadav, SSP Kishtwar Khalil Poswal and many other officers attended his last rites.
The mortal remains were taken by vehicles from Kaligarh to the cremation ground Hasti. During this time the vehicle was decorated with flower garlands. Thousands of people participated in the last journey of the martyr. During this, anger and sorrow were seen in every eye. People raised slogans of Bharat Mat ki Jai, Shaheed Ravi Amar Rahe, Militantism Murdabad.
Two militants were killed in Narla area of Rajori district. The first militant was killed on Tuesday evening and the second militant was killed on Wednesday. A large quantity of ammunition, two AK rifles, food items and other war material have been recovered from both the militants. However, Rifleman Ravi Kumar was also martyred in the encounter. Army female Labrador canine Kent also made the supreme sacrifice.
Born on 22 February 1997, he joined the Army in 2016.
Father Subhash Chandra told that Ravi had resumed his duty in Rajouri on August 28 after a brief holiday. He said the entire family is in joy for his marriage, which is fixed for December. He said nobody knew that the son had come on leave for the last time. Now he will come home wrapped in the tricolour.
“Ravi was a promising child since childhood and often talked about serving the country by joining the army. We are sad to see that he left us so early but at the same time proud that our son has sacrificed life for the country,” martyr’s father said.
Earlier, LG Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the demise of the martyr.
“I salute the courage and supreme sacrifice of Army’s braveheart Rifleman Ravi who laid down his life in the line of duty in Rajouri. His selfless service to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to the family of the martyr,” LG in a social media post said
