Mathura/ New Delhi:
A string of top political leaders, including Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Gadkari, visited the family of martyr Hemraj Singh in Shernagar, Uttar Pradesh, today. Hemraj's mother and wife are on a hunger strike, demanding that his severed head be located and returned to them.
Mr Gadkari visited Hemraj's family with senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh. Speaking after meeting the family, he said that India should raise the January 8 killings of Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh with the United Nations, and the international community.
Mr Gadkari also said the Prime Minster should break his silence on the issue and that the government should step up pressure on Pakistan. He added that the BJP would raise this issue in Parliament at its next session.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff Bikram Singh today said that diplomatic channels will be employed to seek the return of martyr Hemraj Singh's head. He also assured the fallen soldier's family of all possible help. "We are with her (Hemraj's mother) and we understand. I am the head of the clan and I am like a father. We will make sure they are given all possible help. We will give them all that is due, and everything they are entitled to," he said.
A flag meeting was held between senior Indian and Pakistani Army officers in Chakan de Bagh in the Poonch sector today, where the Indian side raised concerns about the bodies of the two jawans being mutilated.
On Tuesday, fellow jawans say, Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh bore the brunt of a Pakistani attack on a group out on routine duty in Mendhar. Both served in the 13 Rajputana Rifles regiment. Pakistan has so far denied that its troops crossed the LoC and killed the jawans.
Mr Gadkari visited Hemraj's family with senior BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and Rajnath Singh. Speaking after meeting the family, he said that India should raise the January 8 killings of Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh with the United Nations, and the international community.
Mr Gadkari also said the Prime Minster should break his silence on the issue and that the government should step up pressure on Pakistan. He added that the BJP would raise this issue in Parliament at its next session.
Meanwhile, Chief of Army Staff Bikram Singh today said that diplomatic channels will be employed to seek the return of martyr Hemraj Singh's head. He also assured the fallen soldier's family of all possible help. "We are with her (Hemraj's mother) and we understand. I am the head of the clan and I am like a father. We will make sure they are given all possible help. We will give them all that is due, and everything they are entitled to," he said.
A flag meeting was held between senior Indian and Pakistani Army officers in Chakan de Bagh in the Poonch sector today, where the Indian side raised concerns about the bodies of the two jawans being mutilated.
On Tuesday, fellow jawans say, Lance Naik Hemraj Singh and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh bore the brunt of a Pakistani attack on a group out on routine duty in Mendhar. Both served in the 13 Rajputana Rifles regiment. Pakistan has so far denied that its troops crossed the LoC and killed the jawans.
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