Mansa/Barnala, April 28

The mortal remains of Sepoy Prabhjit Singh and Sepoy Amardeep Singh of 21 Punjab Regiment were consigned to flames at their native villages in Mansa and Barnala districts, respectively. The soldiers were killed in an avalanche at the Siachen glacier on Sunday.

Prabhjit’s brother lit the pyre of the martyr at Hakamwala village in the Budhlada subdivision of Mansa. A contingent of the Army played ‘The Last Post’ and a gun salute followed.

On behalf of Governor VP Singh Badnaur and Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu laid the wreath.

He conveyed condolences to martyr’s father Jagmel Singh and mother Melo Kaur and ensured all possible help to them. He also said Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had announced Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia compensation and a government job for the next of the kin.

Others present were Budhlada MLA Budh Ram, former MLA Ajit Inder Singh Moffer, SDM Sagar Setia, Subedar Bhupinder Singh of 21 Punjab Regiment and District Defense Services Officer Col Maninder Singh.

In Barnala, the mortal remains of Sepoy Amardeep Singh were consigned to flames with full honour at Karamgarh village. Deputy Commissioner Tej Partap Singh Phoolka said as per the government rule, the 23-year-old soldier’s family would get Rs 50 lakh ex gratia. — TNS