Family members of Agniveer Lovepreet Singh (24) from Aklia village in Mansa district, who died in the Kalaroos area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on January 22, have sought financial support from the government. Lovpreet’s cousin Jaswant Singh said,…

Family members of Agniveer Lovepreet Singh (24) from Aklia village in Mansa district, who died in the Kalaroos area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district on January 22, have sought financial support from the government.

Lovpreet’s cousin Jaswant Singh said, “Lovepreet sacrificed his life while fighting the enemy in Kupwara. His family is poor and has only 2.5 acre landholding. One member of the family should get a job, besides admissible financial benefits and the naming of a school or stadium after Lovepreet.”

Village sarpanch Jasveer Singh said Lovepreet “died in a gunfight with the enemy. Due to that reason, he was accorded Army honour at his cremation. The reason of his death has not yet been officially communicated so far. But we believe it was an encounter with the militants”.

Lovepreet is survived by his father Beant Singh, mother Gurmeet Kaur and elder brother Sewak Singh. Lovepreet was serving with the 99 Medium Regiment. He joined the Army under the Agnipath scheme around two years ago.

Sources suggest he died after his service rifle went off accidentally. According to the Mansa district Sainik Welfare Office, Lovepreet was on road opening duty with another soldier when he went aside on his own. Soon, the other soldier heard a gunshot.

Mansa Deputy Commissioner Kulwant Singh said the administration was yet to get an official communication on how Lovepreet died.

Villagers described Lovepreet as a bright and dedicated young man who brought honour to the village by serving in the Army. “His sacrifice for the country will always be remembered,” they said.

Villagers have urged the Centre to reform the Agnipath scheme so that Agniveers get the same benefits as other military personnel.

Lovepreet was the younger of two brothers. He was scheduled to attend his elder brother’s wedding in the coming days. His untimely demise has come as a shock for the family. Political leaders took to social media to express their condolences. They hailed Lovepreet as a martyr.