J&K Encounter: Colonel Manpreet Laid To Rest With Full Military Honors; Six-Year Son Salutes Father's Heroics

Colonel Manpreet Singh, who tragically lost his life in an encounter with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag on Thursday, received a poignant farewell in his hometown of Mullanpur, Punjab.

The solemn ceremony included full military honors as the remains of Colonel Singh were cremated.

During the funeral, Colonel Singh's six-year-old son, accompanied by Sandeep Singh, the late officer's younger brother, solemnly lit the funeral pyre.

In a show of respect and tribute to the fallen soldier, an Army contingent, comprising Sikh Light Infantry soldiers, reversed their arms, offered a salute, and fired a volley.

Prominent dignitaries attended the ceremony, including Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, Punjab Sainik Welfare Minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra, and Tourism and Culture Minister Anmol Gagan Maan.

Additionally, Rajya Sabha MP from Haryana, Lt Gen D P Vats (retd), was present.

Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, was also present at the event leading the Army delegation.

The ceremony also saw the presence of former Chief of Army Staff General Bikram Singh (retd), who belonged to the Sikh Light Infantry, the parent regiment of Colonel Singh.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon (retd), a former GOC of 15 Corps in Srinagar, was also in attendance. Many ex-servicemen, also joined the gathering to honor Colonel Singh's memory.

Major Ashish Dhonchak, who bravely led a search column alongside Colonel Singh, remains were also brought to his hometown in Panipat, where a multitude of mourners, including family members and officers, gathered to bid him a final farewell.

In the early hours of the day, Major Dhonchak's body arrived in Panipat, and it was then transported to his native village of Binjhol in an Army vehicle.

The final rites were conducted following a solemn wreath-laying ceremony and a dignified gun salute.

The funeral procession, spanning approximately eight kilometers from the major's residence in the town to his Binjhol village, took nearly three hours to traverse. Mourners from all walks of life came together to pay their emotional tributes to the departed hero.

Similarly, the funeral of 33-year-old Himayun Muzamil Bhat, a deputy superintendent with the Jammu and Kashmir Police, witnessed a substantial gathering.

In Budgam on Wednesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir and Police Chief Dilbag Singh paid their respects to the dedicated police officer.