A heavy cloud of sorrow loomed over Barnog village in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district as the local community mourned the loss of Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a Junior Commissioned Officer who was killed in a firefight with terrorists in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir. His body was brought back to his home on a special Army helicopter and the atmosphere was charged with conflicting emotions, where cries of “Jai Hind” echoed alongside the deep sorrow felt by his family and villagers, who gathered in large numbers to pay their respects.
Rakesh Kumar, a dedicated soldier of the Army’s 2 Para unit, tragically lost his life on Sunday while engaged in operations against terrorists who had recently abducted and killed two Village Defence Guards (VDGs). His brother, Karam Singh, revealed that Rakesh had been in the process of planning to rebuild their family home, which had been damaged by monsoon rains, and was making arrangements to commence the construction in January. The family has been residing in rented accommodation since that time.
Rakesh is survived by his wife, Bhanupriya, and their two young children: thirteen-year-old daughter Yashashwini and seven-year-old son Pranav. He is also survived by his elderly mother, Bhati Devi, who is 90 years old. The depth of the loss was palpable as the community rallied to support the grieving family.
Rakesh’s remains were first transported to Kangni helipad and later to Ner Chowk Medical College before being returned to his village for the final rites, underscoring the gravity of his sacrifice. The firefight that claimed his life also resulted in injuries to three other soldiers as they were pursuing the terrorists involved in the recent attacks that had destabilized the region.
The situation in Kishtwar remains tense, exacerbated by the terrorist faction linked to the Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) claiming responsibility for the abduction and killings of the VDGs. In an effort to restore security, extensive search operations have been launched in the Kuntwara and Keshwan areas, with special forces commandos spearheading the efforts.
This year alone, Jammu has witnessed a significant toll, with 16 security personnel, 10 civilians, and three VDGs reported killed in various incidents. In a response to these threats, security forces have been proactive, neutralizing 13 terrorists in the area, while Kashmir has seen an additional nine personnel and 15 civilians fall victim to terror attacks, resulting in the elimination of 24 terrorists by security forces.
As the village of Barnog laid Rakesh Kumar to rest, the memory of his bravery and commitment to duty will endure, a testament to the sacrifices made by soldiers in the fight against terror, and a poignant reminder of the impact of such loss on families and communities.
