M S Nazki
Poonch, Jan 21: A soldier killed in a sniper rifle fire by Pakistan at a forward post in Mankore area along the Line of Control in Poonch district, officials said on Thursday.
They said the soldier, Hawaldar Nirmal Singh, from 10 JAK Rifle suffered serious Injury in right side chest and was immediately removed in a chopper to command hospital in Udhampur. However before he could be admitted, they said, the soldier died. His body was taken back to Poonch and would be handed over to the family for last rites after postmortem at government Sub District Hospital Mendhar was done.
Confirming it, a police officer told GNS that a case has been registered in this regard.
A defence ministry spokesman here said that Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation on the line of control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati Sector and Indian Army responded strongly. “In the incident, Hav Nirmal Singh of 10 JAK RIF was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries,” the spokesman said, adding, “Hav Nirmal Singh was a brave, highly motivated and a sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.”
Meanwhile Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha has expressed grief over the loss of Havaldar Nirmal Singh in an unprovoked sniper fire incident by Pakistan at LoC in Krishnaghati Sector.
Paying tributes to the soldier, the Lt Governor observed that we are eternally indebted to “our men in uniform for their supreme sacrifices towards ensuring integrity and sovereignty of the country.”
The Lt Governor prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in its hour of grief. (GNS)
