In what is being seen as a patriotic and humanitarian gesture, Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi and Vidhan Sabha Speaker Rana KP Singh on Wednesday lend their shoulders to the bier of the Poonch martyr Sepoy Gajjan Singh. They also laid the wreath and participated in the ardas (last prayers) while paying glowing tributes to the martyr, who was cremated at his native village Pachranda, Nurpur Bedi in Rupnagar district, with full military honours.
Channi also accompanied the martyr’s nephew and his father to lit the pyre of the brave heart who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in a gunfight with the terrorists in Poonch sector (Jammu and Kashmir) on October 11 (Monday).
Sharing his heartfelt sympathies with the members of the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said that Gajjan Singh’s unprecedented sacrifice would inspire his fellow soldiers to perform their duties with utmost dedication and commitment to preserve the country's sovereignty and integrity.
Married eight months ago, 26-year-old Sepoy Gajjan Singh was the youngest of four brothers and had joined the army nine years ago.
He got married in February and his picture in wedding attire, holding a farmer union flag, was widely circulated on social media.
The martyr is survived by his wife Harpreet Kaur and parents — Charan Singh and Malkeet Kaur.