Soldier from Fazilka dies in Naxal attack

Fazilka, December 9

A pall of gloom descended on Aslamwala village of the district after its native Sukhchain Singh (28), a constable in the Army, was killed by the Naxalites in Arunachal Pradesh.

Sukhchain’s father Dharamjit Singh said his son, who was recruited in the 19 Sikh Regiment of the Army in 2009, sustained bullet injury in an encounter with the Naxals on Saturday. He was shifted to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries on Sunday.

Villagers thronged the martyr’s residence to express their solidarity with the bereaved family. He is survived by his wife and two children.

He said Sukhchain had come to the village on a 45-day leave and resumed his duty on December 4.

Sources said the jawan’s body would reach his native village on Monday morning and would be cremated with full state honours. — OC