A wave of mourning swept through Karora village in Kaithal district on Wednesday as the mortal remains of Sepoy Gurmeet, a dedicated soldier of the Indian Army, were brought home and laid to rest with full military honours. The 27-year-old, who served in the 20th Battalion of the Grenadiers Regiment in Srinagar, passed away on Tuesday at the Army’s Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi following a prolonged illness.
Gurmeet had been battling a serious intestinal condition for the past five months. His treatment journey began at a military hospital in Srinagar, followed by a transfer to the Command Hospital in Chandigarh. As complications increased, he was shifted to the RR Hospital in Delhi, where he underwent surgery but ultimately succumbed to the illness.
He joined the Indian Army in 2017 and was well known in his village for his discipline and dedication. Unmarried, Gurmeet is survived by his father Raja Ram, a farmer, his mother Maya Devi, and his elder brother Sandeep.
Emotional scenes marked the final rites as hundreds of villagers gathered to pay their respects. Many wept openly as the cremation took place, highlighting the deep sense of loss felt by the community.
His brother Sandeep expressed gratitude for the medical care Gurmeet received, stating that the family had hoped for a recovery until the very end.
Condolences poured in from various quarters, including a message from former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who paid tribute to the young soldier’s service and sacrifice on social media.
