‘He was proud of his work’: Agniveer’s death in Poonch leaves his family in Uttarakhand grappling with questions

Singh was recruited as an Agniveer two years ago, following which he underwent a six-month training in Ranikhet at the Kumaon Regimental Centre. His family said that his first posting was in Poonch.

Speaking to The Indian Express, his father, Shivraj Singh, said, “He was home for ten days and left on November 15. He was happy and proud of the work he was doing. Around 2.30 pm on Saturday, we received a call from the Army that he had died of a bullet injury to his head. We do not know how it happened and have requested a probe.” Though Singh was taken to a hospital, he was declared dead, his father added.

The young Agniveer had sent a message to his younger brother at 12 pm before his shift commenced. “He was asking after his brother, and nothing seemed amiss. Two hours later, we got the call,” Shivraj Singh said.

Singh had visited home twice after his induction. In June, a month after shelling in Poonch that killed 16 in the district, Singh visited his anxious family. “He was telling us of the episode, and my brave son had overcome it. He only marched forward, never took a step back,” his father, a farmer, said.

Singh studied at the government inter-college in the village and prepared for the Agnipath enrollment.

Police said that the circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. Singh’s body was brought to his village on Monday morning, and following prayers, was cremated.

Singh’s cousin, Surendra Singh, said that he was cheerful the last time they met. “He was born and raised in a small village where there were few opportunities. His school did not have any sports or games to help him prepare for the Armed Forces, but he was resilient and got through. Everyone envied him because employment prospects here were so bad, but he could make it amid all odds,” Surendra Singh said.

Meanwhile, the state Congress unit slammed the Agnipath scheme. Speaking to reporters, the party chief of the state, Ganesh Godiyal, said, “How long will the central government continue experimenting with the lives of young people? This is not just a loss for one family but for the entire state, and the direct responsibility lies with the central government’s immature and poorly structured Agnipath scheme.”

The uncertainty, absence of pension and social security, and mental pressure have made this scheme a dangerous experiment, he said. “Uttarakhand’s children are sacrificing their lives at the border, and the government thinks it can hand them a ‘service terminated’ letter after four years. This is not just injustice but a reckless gamble with national security,” Godiyal said.

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