Abhinandan, son of Havaldar Roshan Lal who sacrificed his life defending borders of mother nation, Monday paid solemn tributes to his father by appearing in his 10th Class examination while hundreds of mourners had converged in their ancestral home in Nichla village of Samba to pay homage to the brave son of the soil.
Minutes before Roshan Lal was martyred along the line of control in Bhimber Gali sector on Sunday he had spoken to his son and boosted his morale ahead of his crucial examination.
Speaking to media at his home Abhinandan sitting by the side of his grandfather said, "I am feeling proud my father sacrificed his life in the line of duty. At the same time i am sad. I won't be able to see my father again. No one can take his place in my life. He always taught me to work hard and study seriously".
"I appeared in the pre board examination as a mark of respect for my brave father", he added.
Abhinandan is currently studying in Army school, Samba and his younger sister Artika is a class 8 student.
Abhinandan also appealed to the Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to take some firm step and give befitting reply to Pakistan. "Prime Minister must decide now whether he wants to hold dialogue with Pakistan or some tough measures are required". "How many families will lose their loved ones in Pak shelling like this", he questioned. "India must kill at least 10 Pakistani soldiers to avenge the sacrifice of every Indian soldier on the border", he demanded.
In village Mukundpur Choudharian in neighboring Kathua district three sisters of Rifleman Shubham Singh wept through out the day while waiting for the mortal remains of their brother.Coming from a modest back ground Rifleman Shubham Singh was focused on joining Indian army and this was his second posting in Rajouri.
Shubham had recently joined his duty after a month long leave. His close friend Pankaj while paying tributes to his school mate said, " I am proud my close friend attained martyrdom" I also want his sacrifice should not go waste. Enemy must be paid back in the same coin" . Remembering his school mate Pankaj said, "we celebrated January 26 together and next day i dropped him at Chadwal railway station as he had to join his duty in Rajouri". He said Shubham was very brave and always wanted to join Indian army and sacrifice his life defending the borders of the country.
Earlier in the day a wreath laying ceremony was organized in honour of the brave martyrs, Captain Kapil Kundu, Havildar Roshan Lal, Rifleman Ramavatar & Rifleman Subham Singh in Rajouri where fellow soldiers paid their rich tributes.
A military send off was organized at Rajouri wherein, wreaths were laid on behalf of Lt Gen D Anbu, Army Commander, Northern Command and by Lt Gen Saranjeet Singh, GOC White Knight Corps and Maj Gen MV Suchindra GOC Ace of Spades Division.
In the evening the mortal remains of Rifleman Shubham Singh and Havaldar Roshan Lal were consigned to flames with full military honours in their native villages of Kathua and Samba districts respectively.
Earlier when their mortal remains,wrapped in tricolour, reached their homes local villagers shouted slogans against Pakistan and demanded firm response from the Indian Army.
Large number of mourners from their native villages and surrounding areas, besides family friends and close relatives, paid their last respects.
Senior Army officers and those from the civil administration, local politicians were also present as buglers sounded the ‘Last Post’ and the martyred soldiers were accorded a gun salute.