The country was jolted on the day of 14th of February when a Pakistan backed JeM terrorist rammed an SUV laden with over 300 kg of explosives into the CRPF bus carrying personnel, at Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama. It left 40 personnel martyred and several others injured.
The Prime Minister, on Friday, paid his tribute to mortal remains of the CRPF jawans when they were brought to Delhi’s Palam Airport.
Here, we have brought you the details about the soldiers from different states of India, who had lost their lives due to a dastardly attack by Islamic terrorists.
Uttar Pradesh
The state of Uttar Pradesh witnessed the most number of martyrs. The 12 soldiers who lost their lives, hailed from small villages of districts like Chandauli, Maharajganj, Shamli, Devaria, Mainpuri, Kannauj and Unnao. The Yogi government has announced Rs 25 lakh as exgratia for the martyred, and also has promised employment to an individual from each family.
“I am proud that my son gave up his life for the nation but Government should give a befitting reply to Pakistan as soon as possible. The action should be so strong that Pakistan dare not enter our territory and kill our soldiers ever again” Ramayan Maurya, father of martyred soldier Vijay Kumar Mourya was quoted. Mourya had joined the CRPF nine years ago. He left behind his wife and a one-and-a-half-year-old daughter.
Punjab
Four of the martyred soldiers belonged to the state of Punjab. Kulwinder Singh of Anandpur Sahib, Sukhjinder Singh of Tarantarn, Jaimal Singh of Moga and Manider Singh Attri of Gurdaspur were amongst the soldiers who lost their lives.
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh has announced sum of Rs 12 lakh to the families of the martyred. He has also said that soldiers will be given full state honours.
Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala
Constable Subramanian G of 82nd battalion and Constable Sivachnadran C of 92nd battalion, who lost lives in the terror attack, hailed from the southern state of Tamil Nadu. Their families have been accorded Rs 20 lakh from the state government.
Constable H Guru, a native of Mandya district of Karnataka had joined CRPF nearly 7-8 years ago. He was posted in Jharkhand, before being posted in Jammu and Kashmir. He was amongst the jawans who were in the convoy of that fateful day.
Constable Vasantha KVV of Wayanad, Kerala had served the CRPF for nearly two decades. “We should give freedom to our forces to eliminate terrorism once and for all” Said Sajeev, martyred soldier’s cousin brother.
West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam
Local residents of Howrah district of West Bengal witnessed mourning, after the news of CRPF personnel named Bablu Santra getting martyred in the terror attack dawned. Local residents gathered at the deceased soldier’s house to pay respect.
“Where is the protection for those protecting the country? The government should ensure that the deaths of the soldiers are avenged in such a manner that the perpetrators never forget” Raghubir Mondal, nephew of Babu Santra, said.
Jawan Sudip Biswas of 98th battalion had joined CRPF, four years ago. The 27-year-old was the sole breadwinner of his family. Reports say that he had asked his mother to arrange his marriage recently. He also wanted to build a concrete house for his family.
82nd battalion’s Manoj K Behera and 61 Battalion’s Parshana K Sahu, hailed from Odisha. Behera came from Ratnapura village of Cuttack and has left behind parents, wife and a one -year old daughter. Parshana K Sahu has also left behind his wife, a daughter, and a son. Sahu’s daughter Ranu has said that she and her family are proud of the soldier’s sacrifice for the nation.
Head Constable Maneswar Basumatari had served 25 years in the CRPF before he got martyred in the attack. He has left behind by his wife, two children, and a brother. He hailed from Baksa district’s Kalbari village.
Bihar and Jharkhand
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has ordered district magistrates of Patna and Bhagalpur to hand over a cheque of ex gratia of 11 lakh Rupees each to the families of Ratan K Thakur and Sanjay Sinha, who lost their lives in the attack in Pulwama. Rs 25 lakh will also be given from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund to each family.
Martyr Ratan K Thakur’s father has said that he is ready to send his another son to the duty, to protect the motherland. But, he added, that he wants the government to take revenge from Pakistan, for the martyrdom of his son.
Head Constable Vijay Soreng of 82nd battalion, who hailed from the state of Jharkhand also lost his life in the attack. His family will be receiving corpus of Rs 1 lakh from the government. Vijay’s mother has said that country should exact revenge from Pakistan, for the martyrdom of her son. Vijay was serving forces since 1993.
Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh
Assistant Sub Inspector Mohan Lal of 110th battalion and Constable Virendra Singh of 45th battalion lost their lives in Pulwama on Thursday. Mohan Lal, age 53, belonged to Uttarkashi district and Virendra Singh belonged to Udamsingh Nagar.
The Uttarakhand IAS Associating will be contributing one-day salary to the families of the martyrs.
Constable Tilak Raj of Kangra district in Himachal Pradesh has left behind two sons and the younger one is just 22-days old. The child was yet to be named. His wife is still bed-ridden recovering from the delivery. His family has been compensated Rs 5 lakh from the state government. Tilak’s brother has stated that the government should first handle the informers in Kashmir who provide overground support to the terrorists.
Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh
Five families of Rajasthan from districts of Dholpur, Rajsamand, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and Kota are mourning the martyrdom of soldiers, who lost lives in the terror attack. The Rajasthan government has decided to give the sum of Rs 25 lakh to the families, along with a government job to one family member.
Ashvni K Kaochi, age 30, of 35th battalion also lost his life in the attack. His bereaved family from Jabalpur will revive Rs 1 crores and a house from the state government. Ashvni is the third martyr from his village of Khudawal of Jabalpur. He used to encourage other youths from his village to join forces.
Maharashtra
Maharashtra government has announced a compensation of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of 115th battalion’s Head Constable Sanjay Rajput and 3rd battalion’s Rathod Nitin, who lost their lives in the terror attack. Both Rajput and Rathod hailed from the Buldhana district of the state.
The Siddhivinayak Temple trust in Mumbai has also announced financial assistance of Rs 51 lakh for the families of the two martyred soldiers. The trust will also provide another Rs 25 lakhs to the Queen Mary Technical Institute in Pune to help in the rehabilitation of disabled soldiers from Maharashtra.
Jammu and Kashmir
Head constable Naseer Ahmed of Dodasan Bala village in Rajouri district had turned 46, one day before the dastardly act, took his life. He belonged to the 76th battalion.
He is survived by his wife, two children, five elder sisters and an elder brother who serves in the J&K armed police.
