JAMMU, Apr 12: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army, who was injured in firing while thwarting infiltration attempt by the terrorists at Keri Bhattal in Akhnoor sector last night, succumbed to his injuries this morning while the infiltrators, believed to be three in numbers, managed to escape back to Pakistan occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK).Martyr JCO has been identified as Kuldeep Chand of 9-Punjab, a resident of village Kohlvi in Naudan district of Himachal Pradesh. He is survived by his son, daughter, wife and elderly parents.
Sources told the Excelsior that three terrorists tried to infiltrate into the Indian territory from the LoC in Keri Bhattal last night in Akhnoor sector. The Pakistani troops were actively involved in facilitating the intrusion attempt.
On being challenged, the terrorists opened fire leading to exchanges in which the JCO was injured and subsequently attained martyrdom. Taking cover of darkness, the terrorists managed to escape back.On April 10, Indo-Pak Armies held flag meeting at Chakan-Da-Bagh on the LoC in Poonch district. Both sides have reiterated commitment to ceasefire agreement of February 2021.
In a condolence message, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said, “I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand who laid down his life in the line of duty. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief.”
Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Indian Army, in a post on X, said the Chief of Army Staff Gen Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army salute the supreme sacrifice of the braveheart.
“The Indian Army offers deepest condolences and stands firm with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” it said.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has also expressed grief over the death of Kuldeep Chand.
“The news of Kuldeep Kumar, a resident of Kohlvi village of my Assembly constituency Naudan, being martyred is very sad. His unforgettable contribution to the service of the country will always be remembered with respect. I pray to God to give peace to the departed soul and give strength to the bereaved family,” he added.
GOC (General Officer Commanding) White Knight Corps (Lt Gen P K Mishra) and all ranks saluted the supreme sacrifice of braveheart Sub Kuldeep Chand.
“His team’s valour and Sub Kuldeep’s ultimate sacrifice foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists. We stand in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief,” the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, also known as XVI corps, posted on X.
In the same Keri Bhattal area on February 11, two Army personnel, including a Captain, were martyred and another was injured when terrorists set off an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
The Indian Army lodged a strong protest with their counterparts over the cross-border terror activities and the ceasefire violations.
On April 5, Border Security Force (BSF) personnel shot dead a Pakistani intruder along the International Border in the R S Pura sector here and later held a flag meeting with Rangers over the incident.
A wreath-laying ceremony for Subedar Kuldeep Chand was held at Military Garrison Tanda in Akhnoor in the afternoon and his mortal remains were dispatched to his family in Himachal Pradesh for last rites, the officials said.
They said senior Army, police and civil officers led by General Officer Commanding of 10th Infantry Division Major General Sameer Shrivastava and SSP Jammu Joginder Singh laid wreaths at the body and saluted the sacrifice of the JCO.
