Garud commando Corporal Gursewak Singh, who was killed in the operation at the Pathankot air force base, was on Monday cremated with full military honours in Garnala village in Haryana’s Ambala district.
Gursewak’s family members were inconsolable as Hardeep, the soldier’s elder brother, lit the funeral pyre amid slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’. Rich tributes were paid to the martyr who was also accorded a gun salute.
His mother Amrik Kaur fainted several times while his widow Jaspreet Kaur was inconsolable as the final journey of the 25-year-old Gursewak, who got married on November 18 last year, began for the cremation ground.
“He will be remembered for his exemplary valour as he kept fighting even after being hit by a burst of gunfire at Pathankot air base,” Malkit Singh, a local resident, said.
In the morning, as his body wrapped in a tricolour reached his native village, a large number of people, including Haryana ministers Anil Vij and Abhimanyu, were present. Senior officers from the Indian Air Force, besides personnel from the army, police and civil administration were also present.
Gursewak, whose icon was legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, had joined IAF about six years ago after completing his graduation. His father Sucha Singh also served in the army and his brother Hardeep too is in the defence forces.
{{/usCountry}}Gursewak, whose icon was legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, had joined IAF about six years ago after completing his graduation. His father Sucha Singh also served in the army and his brother Hardeep too is in the defence forces.
{{/usCountry}}In fact, the martyr’s village is known to have made a significant contribution to the defence forces by sending its youth to join the services. In fact, Gursewak had cleared the air force examination in his first attempt.
Gursewak’s father Sucha Singh, who is a farmer, had earlier stated that he was proud that his son had laid down his life for the country. He said that he received information about Gursewak’s martyrdom from his elder son, who is an officer in the army.
“My boy had gone to serve the nation. I am proud of him. He has done his duty. We are sad too. My younger son gave his life for the country. He was always good in studies and always wanted to join the air force,” Sucha said.
Harikrishan Singh, Gursewak’s cousin, said, “We have lost one warrior.”
Haryana’s health minister Vij said the whole nation will remember the sacrifice of the son of the soil.