Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar, a dedicated soldier of the Indian Army, was tragically killed in action during a confrontation with terrorists in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir. Hailing from Barnog village in Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh, Kumar’s family shared that he had aspirations to rebuild their home, which was severely damaged by monsoon rains the previous year. They had been living in a rented accommodation following the damage sustained to their ten-room house.
Kumar was a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) with the prestigious 2 Parachute Regiment, known for its special forces operations. His brother, Karam Singh, recounted that during his recent leave, which occurred a month and a half prior to his passing, Rakesh had assured the family of starting renovations on their home in January. The sorrowful family noted his commitment to improving their living conditions as a reflection of his deep love and responsibility towards them.
Naib Subedar Rakesh Kumar is survived by his wife Bhanupriya, their thirteen-year-old daughter Yashshwini, seven-year-old son Pranav, and his elderly mother, Bhati Devi, who is 90 years old. In a show of respect and mourning, the helicopter transporting his remains arrived in Mandi on Monday evening, although the last rites could not be performed until the following day due to darkness. His mortal remains have been placed in the mortuary of Lal Bahadur Shastri Medical College, where the cremation is scheduled to take place.
The state’s chief minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, along with deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, expressed their profound sorrow over Kumar’s sacrifice. Sukhu stated that “the nation will forever honour the ultimate sacrifice of the brave soldier,” while Agnihotri highlighted the debt of gratitude owed to Kumar for his selfless and supreme sacrifice.
The encounter that led to Kumar’s death involved a group of terrorists linked to the abduction and subsequent killing of two village defense guards in Kishtwar the previous Thursday. Alongside Kumar, three soldiers were also injured during the anti-terror operation, which underscored the ongoing challenges faced by security forces in the region. As the community and the nation mourn his loss, they also acknowledge the bravery and dedication displayed by Kumar in his line of duty.
