The mortal remains of Havildar Mohd Iqbal, an Assam Rifles soldier killed while on duty in Nagaland, reached his native village of Kallar Mohra in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Tuesday, where he was accorded a final farewell with full military honours.
Army personnel paid tribute to the fallen soldier as family members, relatives and local residents gathered at his residence to pay their last respects.
Speaking to reporters, Iqbal’s son, Fasal Iqbal, said the family was proud of his father’s sacrifice in the service of the nation.
“We feel proud that he made the ultimate sacrifice for the country. I feel good knowing he did something truly right for the country and made that sacrifice. It is a matter of pride for all of us,” he said.
Fasal also expressed his determination to join the armed forces and serve the country.
“My resolve is to become a good officer, serve the country, and take revenge on the enemies,” he said.
Havildar Mohd Iqbal was serving with the Assam Rifles in Nagaland when he lost his life while performing his duties.
In a separate event, the Assam Rifles commemorated the sacrifice of Rifleman (General Duty) Govind Singh of the 28 Assam Rifles during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Radhanagar Battalion in Tripura. Singh was killed in action on July 10, 1996, during a counter-insurgency operation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Senior officers of the battalion laid wreaths in his honour, while troops observed a two-minute silence in remembrance of his courage and sacrifice. The force said the ceremony reaffirmed its commitment to honouring personnel who laid down their lives in the service of the nation.
