A Subedar in the Indian Army took his last breath on Sunday, attaining martyrdom during the holy month of Ramzan, after he had sustained burn injuries to around 50 percent of his body while trying to prevent a weapons cache from getting razed by a fire in Jammu and Kashmir's Gurez.
Subedar Abdul Sattar belonged to 13th Batallion of the Grenadier Regiment.
On May 12 the fire started in the camp of the unit where Sattar, was posted. Within minutes, the whole store of the unit was engulfed in fire, and once he saw it, there was no second choice but to fight.
He plunged into the inferno and managed to pull out the ammunition and weapons, but in the process sustained burn injuries, and was immediately rushed for medical treatment.
Major General Dilawar Singh (Retd), while speaking to ANI said that the training and ethos of the Armed Forces motivates a soldier to accomplish extraordinary feats and to rise above the boundaries of religion and caste.
"A soldier serves the country and the tricolour. Brave hearts like Subedar Sattar is the glowing example of how a soldier can do extraordinary when the testing times come and they can sacrifice even their lives," he said.
The injured soldier was later taken by a helicopter to Srinagar, where he was admitted to the Army Hospital (Research & Referral). He fought for his life for eight days and passed away on May 20.
The soldier hailed from the village Mawa near Didwana in Nagaur District of Rajasthan. His mortal remains were taken to his village for burial with state honour. A total of 5000 people, including villagers and Army officials congregated to pay their homage to the martyr.
Minister Yunus Khan and MLA Thakur Manwar Singh of Ladnun attended the funeral. The soldiers from the nearby areas were also present to pay their tribute.
More than 300 serving and ex-servicemen of the Grenadiers attended the last rights.
Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje spoke with the father of the soldier.
The commanding officer of the unit, Colonel Ghosh said, "The loss of Subedar Abdul Sattar is irreparable. His memory will always be etched in our hearts. I wish to assure all elders and fellow officers that from here on, his family is the battalion's responsibility and we shall look after them for the rest of their lives."
He is survived by his wife Muni Banu, five daughters and one son. Sub Abdul Sattar's youngest child, son Danish (six-year-old) laid the wreath. It is widely believed in Islam that death during the holy month of Ramzan is doubly blessed, Subedar Sattar will, no doubt, rest in peace.
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