Ooty chopper crash: Villagers await mortal remains of IAF officer

JAIPUR: As the arrangements are in place for the funeral of Squadron Leader Kuldeep Singh in Jhunjhunu, there is yet to be any official confirmation on when his mortal remains would reach the native village. The officer who died in the chopper crash along with 12 others, will be identified after DNA testing.
Singh was a native of Ghardana Khurd, located around 42 km from the district headquarters. He was among 13 persons including the Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, who died in a helicopter crashed in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris on Wednesday.
“We have all the preparations in place and the young people in the village have been cleaning the space while we all are just trying to console the family. While in grief, Kuldeep’s father is extremely proud of his son’s sacrifice for the country,” said a village elderly.
Singh’s father retired from the Navy, his sister is also serving in the armed forces.
Sources claimed that the deceased officer’s wife and sister are in Delhi where they are awaiting for the mortal remains of the Squadron Leader after he has been positively identified.
Meanwhile, Lt Col Harjinder Singh, the other defence personnel from Rajasthan who was also killed in the same crash is likely to be cremated in Delhi itself after his mortal remains are handed over to his family.