Himachal armyman of 9 Punjab dies in ceasefire violation by Pakistan along LoC; father retired from same regiment
The mortal remains of Subedar Kuldeep Chand will arrive in his native Kohalwin village in the Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday.
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Subedar Kuldeep Chand was serving with the 9 Punjab. Subedar Kuldeep Chand, 46, of Kohalwin village near Nadaun in Hamirpur district in Himachal Pradesh, was martyred during a crossfire while foiling a ceasefire violation attempt by Pakistani forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu on Friday night. Subedar Kuldeep Chand was serving with the 9 Punjab. According to family members, his mortal remains will arrive in the village on Sunday.
Kuldeep Chand’s father, Rattan Chand, 86, is also a retired soldier from 9 Punjab of the Indian Army.
Rattan Chand told The Indian Express over the phone, “Kuldeep Chand was my eldest son. I retired from 9 Punjab in 1977. Kuldeep was also passionate about the Army. After completing his 10+2, he got selected in the Indian Army as a soldier in 1996. It is by chance that Kuldeep also got a chance to serve in 9 Punjab, where I had also served. Even during my service, I had postings in sensitive areas, including Akhnoor, Poonch, and Drass in Jammu & Kashmir.”
Rattan Chand added, “When I got to know that Kuldeep was selected for 9 Punjab, I urged a Brigade Commander rank officer to send him to another wing, but the officer told me that he wants my son to be in 9 Punjab. Kuldeep’s children, Aryan and Diksha, are school students. Their mother Santosh Kumari is a double MA. She is a housewife. My youngest son is settled in New Zealand. Kuldeep’s mother Shakuntla Devi is 80 years old.”
Meanwhile, scores of people from the village and neighbouring areas thronged the house of the deceased soldier as news of his martyrdom spread.
Joginder Singh, the Sarpanch of Gram Panchayat Ghali, which covers Kohalwin village, said, “The district administration informed us about the battle casualty this morning. Army authorities told the family that the mortal remains would arrive at Gaggal Airport in Kangra this (Saturday) afternoon. The mortal remains will be kept at Palampur tonight and will be brought to the village tomorrow morning. Subedar Kuldeep Chand’s younger brother is settled abroad, while his two sisters are married.”
Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed deep condolences on the demise of Subedar Kuldeep Chand. Sukhu represents the Nadaun Assembly constituency, under which Kohalwin village falls.
“The news of the martyrdom of Shri Kuldeep Kumar Ji, a resident of Kohalwin village in my Nadaun Assembly constituency, is extremely saddening. His unforgettable contribution in the service of the nation will always be remembered with respect and honor. I pray to the Almighty to grant eternal peace to the departed soul and to provide strength and courage to the bereaved family in this hour of grief. My heartfelt condolences are with the grieving family during this difficult time,” Sukhu wrote on X.
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