Ajay Singh, a 23-year-old Agniveer, tragically lost his life in a landmine explosion near the Line of Control in the Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He hailed from Ramgarh Sardaran, a village in the Payal division of Ludhiana, Punjab, where he lived in a modest one-room house with his family, which included six sisters, two of whom are unmarried. The family, with no agricultural land, struggled financially.
Charanjit Singh Kala, Ajay’s father, aged 58, expressed his deep sense of pride and grief to The Indian Express. He emphasized that Ajay’s sacrifice should be honored with the same respect and dignity accorded to other fallen soldiers. “He deserves the status of a martyr,” he stated, underscoring the significance of his son’s service despite being an Agniveer.
The family’s financial hardships were severe. Ajay’s mother continued to work as a domestic helper even after his recruitment in 2022. The father, who had worked as a laborer and was now unwell, shared the struggles they faced to ensure two meals a day.
Ajay’s decision to join the Army was fueled by both his personal aspirations and the family’s financial needs. Despite knowing that Agniveers don’t receive the same benefits as regular soldiers, he was determined to serve and improve his family’s situation.
He had previously worked as a construction laborer after completing his 12th grade from a government school. His father recalled Ajay’s eagerness to join the Army when the Agniveer vacancies were announced, driven by his dream to be an Armyman, even if only for a short duration. The family had also incurred debts for the marriages of Ajay’s four sisters, adding to their financial burdens.
Sir do Agniveer Soldiers don’t get ‘Shahid’ status??