Punjab soldier who died fighting terrorists in 2023 Poonch attack awarded Sena Medal; his father had also died for nation
Now, names of both Kulwant Singh and his father Baldev Singh are etched at the national memorial in Delhi
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Lance Naik Kulwant Singh (left), sepoy Baldev Singh (right)Nearly two years after Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, 32, from Moga district, Punjab, died fighting terrorists in the Poonch terror attack, he was posthumously awarded the Sena Medal for bravery in a recent ceremony in Delhi.
His wife, Hardeep Kaur, received the medal from General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar at a ceremony held at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi.
Like Kulwant from the Sikh Light Infantry, his father, Sepoy Baldev Singh also lost his life in the line of duty in Jammu & Kashmir. Now, the names of both father and son are etched at the National War Memorial, India Gate, Delhi.
“It was a feeling of immense pride for us to see the names of both father and son at the war memorial in Delhi,” said Prithpal Singh, the soldier’s brother-in-law, who accompanied his sister Hardeep Kaur to the ceremony.
Lance Naik Kulwant Singh, posted in 49 Rashtriya Rifles, was a member of the Quick Reaction Team (QRT) when terrorists ambushed an Army truck in Poonch, Jammu & Kashmir on April 20, 2023. Five soldiers lost their lives in the attack. The vehicle was carrying fruits and supplies for an iftar gathering meant for villagers in Sangiote. Terrorists opened fire and launched grenades at the vehicle, which eventually caught fire.
According to the Army’s account during the ceremony, Kulwant Singh, despite being injured in the gunfire, continued to fight bravely and returned fire until he succumbed to his injuries.
Kulwant hailed from Charik village in Moga district. His family shared that he joined the Army not only to support them financially but also because he idolised his late father.
Kulwant’s wife Hardeep Kaur during the ceremony in Delhi
Kulwant’s two children—daughter Armandeep Kaur, two years old at the time of his death, and son Fatehveer, just five months old then—are now growing up.
Hardeep Kaur, who lost her husband just three years after their marriage, said, “I decided to live again for the sake of my children. Who else will take care of them? I went to Delhi to receive the medal, which is a token of my husband’s bravery.”
Hardeep also revealed that the Punjab government had provided an ex gratia of ₹1 crore, with ₹60 lakh given to her and ₹40 lakh to her mother-in-law, Harjinder Kaur. However, she is still waiting for the government job promised by the Punjab government.
“I was asked to clear Class 12, which is the minimum qualification for a job. It has been a year since I cleared it, but I am yet to get the job,” she said. The widow also received Rs 50 lakh from the Army.
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