Samba,
A pall of gloom descended on Nichlah village in Samba district as news of the killing of four soldiers, including Havildar Roshan Lal, poured in on Monday.

Hundreds of people visited the slain Army man’s family to console them.

Despite the major loss, Havildar Roshan Lal’s father and son had put up a brave face. “I am proud of my father’s sacrifice, but the government should avenge

the killing of the soldiers,” said Abhinandan Sharma (18), Havildar Roshan Lal’s son, who also wishes to join the Army.

“We received a call from the regiment around 7 am today about the martyrdom of my father. He was a loving and caring father and was always concerned about

the family. He spoke to me over the phone on Sunday evening and asked me to concentrate on my studies. His and other soldiers’ sacrifices should not go in

vain and the government should give a befitting reply to Pakistan,” said Abhinandan, a student of Class X.

Desraj, 70, Havildar Roshan Lal’s father said: “Pakistani security forces and militants are killing our soldiers. Only a stringent action against such incidents is the

answer.”

Havildar Roshan Lal’s wife Aashu Devi and daughter Atika, a student of Class VIII, were in a state of shock. Havildar Roshan Lal had joined the Army in 1995.

Hundreds of locals from the district, Army officers, district administration officials and politicians bid a tearful adieu to Havildar Roshan Lal today. A sea of

people thronged the village as Havildar Roshan Lal’s mortal remains wrapped in a Tricolour reached his native Nichlah village on Sunday evening.

Army officers headed by Brigadier GS Bhadaur handed over the body to the family last night. Residents chanted ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and raised anti-Pakistan

slogans when the martyr’s body reached his village. Havildar Roshan Lal’s last rites were held with full military honours and a gun salute was given to him at the

cremation ground. His son Abhinandan lit his pyre.