Chopper crash: Kangra's Jaisinghpur village in shock over death of Lance Naik Vivek Kumar

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, December 9

A pall of gloom descended on Thheru village, 40 km from here, in Jaisinghpur of Kangra district last night when the news of the death of Lance Naik Vivek Kumar reached the village.

Army collects blood samples of kin

A team of Army officers reached Thheru village this morning and collected the blood samples of family members of Vivek Kumar for DNA matching since the bodies of all chopper crash victims were beyond identification.

Vivek Kumar was the PSO of Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat who died along with 12 others in a helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu yesterday.

Vivek Kumar, 30, was posted at the Army Headquarters and was attached to the security of General Bipin Rawat. He was married only two years ago. On Wednesday evening, his family received a phone call from the Army Headquarters informing it about the unfortunate death of Vivek in a helicopter crash along with General Rawat

As soon as the report of Vivek’s death reached the village, hundreds of villagers from adjoining villages gathered at the house of the deceased jawan. However, his body is yet to reach the village. The wife of Vivek and his family members were in shock. Official sources said a team of Army officers also reached the village this morning and collected the blood samples of family members for DNA matching since the bodies of all victims were beyond identification.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, in a condolence message to the family, expressed shock over the tragedy. He said the state government would extend all possible help to the family. The CM said Kangra DC was in touch with the Army authorities. The mortal remains of the jawan would be consigned to flames with full state honours tomorrow. Ravinder Dhiman, MLA, Jaisinghpur, visited the bereaved family and assured of all help.