Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: The brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by the Pakistani troops near the Line of Control (LoC) shocked and outraged the whole nation, leading to heated debates as to whether India should continue to engage with its neighbour.
The attack took place along the LoC in Poonch district when Pakistanis came about 100 metres into Indian territory and assaulted the patrol party. Besides killing two Lance Naiks, Hemraj and Sudhakar Singh, they also injured two other soldiers.
During the brutal assault on the patrol party, the Pakistanis beheaded the two Indian jawans. Apparently, they carried back Hemraj’s head and showed it off as a trophy when they returned.
Talking exclusively to Zee News, Lance Naik Hemraj’s uncle Jagdish said that all that the family wanted was ‘respect’. He said that though the family was proud of the fact that their son had become a martyr for his country, they were sad that his head had not come back.
He also lamented at the fact that no political leaders had paid the family a visit. “We wish that Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav had come to meet us. The CM should come and visit us.”
Breaking down in Zee News studio Hemraj’s uncle said that he was so traumatised that he could not bear to see the body of his nephew. “I am just thinking about his wife and his children,” he added.
In their native village, talking to Zee News reporter Hemraj’s wife said that all she wanted was to get back her husband’s head. “He was to come for holiday on February 07,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Hemraj’s mother yesterday had said that she is proud of her son as he didn’t bow down before the enemy.
Lance Naik Hemraj was cremated with full military honours at his native village Khairar in Mathura district amid chanting of 'Hemraj Amar Rahen'. The funeral pyre was lit by his five-year-old son Prince. He is survived by his wife Dharmvati, mother Meena, two daughters - Nirmal (8), Kallo (3), son Prince and brothers Puran and Jai Singh. His father had expired two years ago.
“The government has not taken any strong steps to deter Pakistan,” said Captain Saurabh Kalia’s father. Dr NK Kalia has moved the Supreme Court seeking directions to Union Government to take up his son's case at the international judicial forum. Captain Kalia was captured and subjected to brutal torture by the Pakistan Army in 1999.
First Published: Sunday, January 13, 2013, 21:00