Pathankot: Villagers hail slain Ikagar Singh’s bravery, Parkash Singh Badal calls him ‘martyr’

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at Ikagar’s residence in Bhagwal. (Express Photo)

Ikagar Singh, 30, a taxi driver who was murdered on Friday by five unidentified persons who are suspected to have been behind the Pathankot terror strike, has become a symbol of bravery in his village, Bhagwal. Ikagar was cremated here on Saturday. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal was in Bhagowal to meet the grieving family.

Badal said Ikagar was a “national martyr” who laid down his life for the country. He said while it was an “irreparable loss” for the family, the state and the entire country was solidly behind the family in this hour of crisis. Badal said the state government would take “every step to safeguard the interests of the family.”

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The Chief Minister announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for Singh’s family, apart from a government job for Ikagar’s wife. He added that the state government would offer pension to Ikagar’s parents.

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“Ikagar Singh fought like a soldier… He damaged his own car to disrupt their plan… which saved the lives of many people,” said Bhagwal village sarpanch Amardeep Singh.