Anantnag encounter: Nation mourns, soldier's 7yr old son salutes father at last rites

The nation mourns the loss of Colonel Manpreet Singh, who gave his life in an anti-terror operation in the Anantnag area of Jammu and Kashmir. His last rites were carried out in Mullanpur, Punjab.

A two-year-old girl and a seven-year-old son were left behind by Colonel Manpreet. His children paid respect to Colonel Manpreet's tremendous sacrifice for the country, despite being too young to realize the seriousness of the situation. His son Kabir honored the mortal remains while wearing camouflage, which caused intense emotion.

Colonel Manpreet, the commanding officer of the 19 Rashtriya Rifles unit of the Indian Army, along with Major Ashish Dhonchak and deputy superintendent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police Humayun Bhat, succumbed from injuries sustained in a shootout with terrorists at Gadole in the Kokernag region of South Kashmir. The counter-terrorism operation also claimed the life of a soldier who had previously been reported missing.

A solemn homecoming with full military honors was held at Colonel Manpreet's native hamlet of Mullanpur for his mortal remains, which were draped in the national flag. One among the thousands of mourners who gathered to say their ultimate goodbye to this second-generation soldier was former Army Chief General (Retd) VP Malik, who was joined by family members and other officers.

VIDEO | 6-year-old Kabir, the son of Colonel Manpreet Singh who sacrificed his life during the Anantnag encounter, salutes before the mortal remains of his father in Haryana's Panchkula.

Colonel Manpreet Singh's mortal remains are being laid to rest in Mohali's Mullanpur. pic.twitter.com/x0p0k9tfrJ

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 15, 2023