While the nation was mourning the martyrdom of our four soldiers in Rajouri; while slogans were being raised in the Parliament and while heated debates were exchanged on news channels, Abhinandan was appearing in his 10th class exams.
“I appeared in the pre board examination as a mark of respect for my brave father” Abhinandan is the son of Havaldar Roshan Lal, who along with three others, sacrificed his life defending the nation in Rajouri.
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“We received a call from the regiment around 7 am today about the martyrdom of my father. He was a loving and caring father and was always concerned about the family. He spoke to me over the phone on Sunday evening and asked me to concentrate on my studies. His and other soldiers’ sacrifices should not go in vain and the government should give a befitting reply to Pakistan,” said Abhinandan as reported in online media reports.
Just minutes before Roshan Lal was martyred along the line of control in Bhimber Gali sector on Sunday, he had spoken to his son and boosted his morale ahead of the exam. Abhinandan paid tributes to his father by appearing in the examination.
Abhinandan is just as brave as his father; and just as any other son, he misses his father too. He says,
“I am feeling proud my father sacrificed his life in the line of duty. At the same time i am sad. I won’t be able to see my father again. No one can take his place in my life. He always taught me to work hard and study seriously”
On the other hand, in Mukundpur Choudharian village of Kathua, three sisters spent the day waiting for mortal remains of their brother, Rifleman Shubham Singh. He had just rejoined his duty after a month long leave.
Shubham’s close friend Pankaj says,
“I am proud my close friend attained martyrdom… I also want that his sacrifice should not go waste. Enemy must be paid back in the same coin”.
Desraj, 70, Havildar Roshan Lal’s father said: “Pakistani security forces and militants are killing our soldiers. Only a stringent action against such incidents is the answer.”
Havaldar Roshan Lal’s wife Aashu Devi and daughter Atika, a student of Class VIII, were in a state of shock.
Havaldar Roshan Lal had joined the Army in 1995. Hundreds of locals from the district, Army officers, district administration officials and politicians bid a tearful adieu to Havildar Roshan Lal today. A sea of people thronged the village as Havildar Roshan Lal’s mortal remains wrapped in a Tricolour reached his native Nichlah village on Sunday evening.
Havildar Roshan Lal’s last rites were held with full military honours and a gun salute was given to him at the cremation ground. His son Abhinandan lit his pyre.
