HAMIRPUR A pall of gloom descended on the native village of sepoy Ankush Thakur when the news of his death in a clash between Indian and Chinese troops in the Galwan Valley of Ladakh was received on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old sepoy was recruited into the Punjab Regiment in 2018 and was a resident of Karohta, a village in Bhoranj sub division. His father and grandfather had also served in the Indian Army.
Thakur has a younger brother who is studying in Class 6.
Twenty Indian soldiers were killed in the clash between India and China on Monday night in the Galwan Valley. As soon as information about his martyrdom was given over phone by the Army Headquarters to Karohta panch Vinod Kumar, people started raising anti-China slogans.
They later went to his house to express condolences to the family.
Thakur’s body will be given a state funeral, an official spokesman said here.
QUIT STUDIES TO JOIN ARMY
Thakur was always passionate about joining the army. He had enrolled in a BSc course in college, but quit studies to join the army in 2018.
His uncle Sunil Kumar said Thakur was home around 10 months ago on a vacation before joining his first posting at Siachen. “His unit had recently returned to the base and he was planning to come home,” he said. The family was also planning a function to celebrate his return and retirement of his father together. However, his unit was immediately deployed in the Ladakh sector.
{{/usCountry}}His uncle Sunil Kumar said Thakur was home around 10 months ago on a vacation before joining his first posting at Siachen. “His unit had recently returned to the base and he was planning to come home,” he said. The family was also planning a function to celebrate his return and retirement of his father together. However, his unit was immediately deployed in the Ladakh sector.
{{/usCountry}}PROUD OF MY SON, SAYS FATHER
Meanwhile, the fallen soldier’s father Anil Kumar, who recently retired from Defense Services Corps (DSC), said he is proud of his son. “He has attained martyrdom serving the nation and we are proud of him. However, there is also a grief that he was too young to go. What happened will leave a void in our lives forever,” he said.
When asked what kind of response he wants against the Chinese aggression, Kumar said the decision is to be taken by the government.
Meanwhile, the slain soldier’s mother was inconsolable and unable to talk.
CREMATION ON THURSDAY
The deceased sepoy’s body is being brought to his native village via Chandigarh. Bhoranj SDM Amit Sharma said the body is expected to reach on Thursday. The cremation will take place at the village crematorium with full state honours, said Sharma.
CHIEF MINISTER MOURNS
Meanwhile, chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has expressed grief over the sepoy’s martyrdom. The CM prayed peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family to bear such irreparable loss. He said Ankush Thakur has laid down his life to save the frontiers and his martyrdom would always be remembered by the people.
Former CM Prem Kumar Dhumal also condoled the jawan’s demise and blamed the Chinese authorities.
He said the entire nation was behind the Indian forces and ready to face any challenge from the foreign powers.