Antahedi village, Kurukshetra: As India celebrates Diwali, a family in Krurukshetra, Sunday, welcomed its son back home – in a coffin.
Braveheart sepoy Mandeep Singh of 17 Sikh Light Infantry was killed by terrorists, aided by Pakistani Army, in Macchil sector of Kupwara district. They left his body in a mutilated state.
Son of a truck driver, 26-year-old soldier Mandeep had joined the Army in 2009. He is survived by his young wife Prerna, who serves as a Head Constable with Haryana Police. They had got married in 2014.
His last rites was attended by thousands of people from the village and nearby areas. As a mark of respect for the slain soldier and to stand in solidarity with his family, the entire village has decided to not celebrate Diwali – they will be lighting just one lamp in remembrance of Mandeep.
Slogans lauding Mandeep's supreme sacrifice rent the air as an emotional crowd of thousands saluted the hero.
After Mandeep's family demanded that the Indian army should give a befitting reply to Pakistan, the armed forces hit back and destroyed at least four Pakistani border posts in a late night massive fire assault on Saturday.
The posts were destroyed in a massive fire assault in the Keran sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district, the army's Northern Command said.
The operation has inflicted heavy causalities on the other side, reports said.
