J&K border:
In a bid to foil an infiltration bid, Major Akash Singh was killed in the exchange of fire that started around midnight when militants tried to infiltrate the Mendhar Sector.
His young children -- a three-year-old daughter and two-year-old son -- are unsure of what's going on. Just three days back his father, Major Singh, returned to duty on a forward post at the LoC after spending 10 days with the family.
"Father got a phone call from the commanding officer at 6 am, we were told infiltration bid has taken place and two militants were killed by the Army and when they were chasing another militant he took a bullet, we were told he is no more," said Vikas Singh, Akash Singh's brother.
Major Akash joined the army in 1998 as it was his long cherished dream.
"We are sad we lost a friend but we are proud that he gave his life for the country," said Bite Rakesh Sharma, a friend.
He was killed after an infiltration bid was foiled in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Two militants were also killed in the night-long operation.
According to the Army there is a possibility of more militants having been killed during the encounter, though just two bodies have been found so far. The search operation, however, is going on.
In the last nine months, there has been a spurt in infiltration. Compared to 45 infiltration attempts last year, this year has already seen more than 70 infiltration attempts so far.
"Major Akash Singh's friends remember him as a brave man who always wanted to be in the Army and serve the country. Today he is no more, but he will always remain alive in the hearts and a role model for his colleagues.
His young children -- a three-year-old daughter and two-year-old son -- are unsure of what's going on. Just three days back his father, Major Singh, returned to duty on a forward post at the LoC after spending 10 days with the family.
"Father got a phone call from the commanding officer at 6 am, we were told infiltration bid has taken place and two militants were killed by the Army and when they were chasing another militant he took a bullet, we were told he is no more," said Vikas Singh, Akash Singh's brother.
Major Akash joined the army in 1998 as it was his long cherished dream.
"We are sad we lost a friend but we are proud that he gave his life for the country," said Bite Rakesh Sharma, a friend.
He was killed after an infiltration bid was foiled in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Two militants were also killed in the night-long operation.
According to the Army there is a possibility of more militants having been killed during the encounter, though just two bodies have been found so far. The search operation, however, is going on.
In the last nine months, there has been a spurt in infiltration. Compared to 45 infiltration attempts last year, this year has already seen more than 70 infiltration attempts so far.
"Major Akash Singh's friends remember him as a brave man who always wanted to be in the Army and serve the country. Today he is no more, but he will always remain alive in the hearts and a role model for his colleagues.
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