MANDI, December 3
Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh continues to bear the brunt of losing its brave sons to duty. Havildar Naval Kishore, a 28-year-old soldier from Jaloun village in Sadoh gram panchayat under Kotli subdivision, made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the harsh conditions of the Siachen Glacier.
Just days ago, two other soldiers from the district laid down their lives while serving in different regions of the country.
Havildar Naval Kishore’s martyrdom has been attributed to oxygen deficiency caused by extreme climatic changes at Siachen Glacier. His loss has plunged the entire area into grief.
Recent Army sacrifices in Mandi
Havildar Naval Kishore’s sacrifice comes soon after Rifleman Arjun Thakur from Sundernagar and Lance Naik Rajesh Kumar from Sarkaghat also laid down their lives in the line of duty. These successive losses have highlighted the risks faced by Army soldiers and left families and communities mourning their heroes.
Wife constable in Himachal police
Naval Kishore had joined the JAK Rifles in 2017. He had been married only 1.5 years ago to Shweta Devi, a constable serving at Tapri police station in Kinnaur district.
The soldier’s father, Bhagat Ram, shared that he received the tragic news via a phone call from a military officer around 9 pm on Sunday night. Kishore had returned to duty at the Siachen Glacier only 2.5 months ago after a short leave and had promised to visit home again in March.
Naval Kishore leaves behind his parents, wife and younger brother Sunil, who is also serving in the Army with the 8 JAK Rifles.
Funeral with full military honours
Lieutenant Colonel Gopal Guleria, Deputy Director of the Department of Soldier Welfare, confirmed the news of Naval Kishore’s martyrdom. The martyr’s mortal remains will be airlifted to Chandigarh on Tuesday and then transported to his native village by road. The cremation will be held with full military honours, subject to weather conditions.
According to the Army office, environmental and climatic challenges at the Siachen Glacier were responsible for the young soldier’s death.
Chief Minister expresses grief over martyrdom
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep grief over the death of Naval Kishore. The Chief Minister lauded Naval Kishore’s courage and devotion, stating that his sacrifice would always be remembered. He prayed for the departed soul’s peace and strength for the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.
