A profound sense of loss enveloped Barnog village in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday, as the community gathered to pay their final respects to Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a Junior Commissioned Officer in the Indian Army, whose remains were returned home for his last rites. The atmosphere was marked by the slogans of “Jai Hind” and the anguished cries of relatives and villagers, who congregated in large numbers to honor his sacrifice.
Rakesh Kumar, a dedicated soldier of the Army’s 2 Para battalion, was killed in action during a fierce gunfight with terrorists in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. His death came following a tragic incident where two Village Defence Guards (VDGs) were kidnapped and slain. The loss has left a significant void in his family and the community, which had looked forward to his plans of rebuilding their home—severely damaged by the monsoon last year. It was said that Rakesh, who had returned home on leave about a month and a half ago, had plans to commence construction in January.
“My brother was keen to build our house once he returned from service,” expressed Kumar’s brother, Karam Singh. “We are living in a rented accommodation after our home was damaged, and he had promised to set things right soon.” Rakesh is survived by his wife, Bhanupriya, their two young children—Yashshwini, aged 13, and Pranav, aged 7—and his elderly mother, 90-year-old Bhati Devi.
The journey of Rakesh’s remains began with a special Army helicopter that landed at the Kangni helipad on Monday afternoon. From there, he was taken to Ner Chowk Medical College before being transported to his native village the following morning, where the community awaited to pay tribute.
The operation in Jammu, which claimed Rakesh’s life and left three other soldiers injured, was initiated to bring justice following the VDG killings. Special forces launched a comprehensive combing operation in the areas of Kuntwara and Keshwan, following leads on a group of terrorists believed to be involved. Reports indicated that the terror faction known as Kashmir Tigers, linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), had claimed responsibility for the heinous acts against the VDGs.
The ongoing violent activities in Jammu and Kashmir have taken a significant toll this year, with 16 security personnel, 10 civilians, and three VDGs losing their lives in separate attacks. Security forces have successfully neutralized a total of 13 terrorists in the region, while losses in Kashmir have also been high, including nine personnel and 15 civilians. The situation continues to be tense as authorities remain vigilant against further threats.
As the village of Barnog mourns Rakesh Kumar, they not only remember a devoted soldier but also a beloved family member who had dreams and plans for a better future, now tragically cut short.
