A pall of gloom descended on the native village of Army jawan Mandeep, who was killed by terrorists in Macchil sector in Jammu and Kashmir yesterday.
The family members of the 30-year-old martyr were inconsolable.
Several women from Aantehri village here reached the martyr's house today and tried to console Mandeep's widow. The couple had got married two years ago, family members said.
Kurukshetra's Deputy Commissioner Sumedha Kataria also visited the jawan's home and offered her condolences.
The martyr's neighbours described him as a "go getter" who always had a smile on his face.
Subhash, husband of the Sarpanch of the village, said Mandeep was a helpful person who always offered help to anyone who approached him in need.
Mandeep's widow Prerna is a Head Constable with Haryana police and posted at Shahbad Markanda here.
Mandeep's sacrifice came within a week after Sushil Kumar (47), a BSF constable was martyred in Jammu district. He also hailed from Kurukshetra district and belonged to Pehowa town here.
Kumar was killed as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire, resorting to heavy shelling and firing from automatic weapons in several sectors along the International Border in Jammu district on October 24.
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Mandeep's widow Prerna said Pakistan must be taught a lesson for harbouring terrorists.
"Pakistan should be taught a lesson once for all so that no other family of a soldier has to go through such pain," she said breaking down several times.
She said Mandeep never shared the details about his posting.
"He did not share much details thinking that it will make us unduly worried," Prerna said.
She said that Mandeep had come for vacation six months back.
"He was supposed to visit home again on Diwali but his leave was cancelled in view of the tension on the border at Machil sector," she said.
Mandeep is the youngest of three sons of Phool Singh, a truck driver.
Singh said Army should be given a free hand to deal with nefarious designs of Pakistan.
Meanwhile, Mandeep's body is likely to reach the village in the evening.
The entire village mourned the sacrifice of the 'son of the soil', and have decided not to celebrate Diwali festival.
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Meanwhile, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar described the killing of Mandeep Singh of 17th Sikh Regiment, as a "cowardly act" by terrorists.
In a condolence message to members of the bereaved family, the Chief Minister said such nefarious designs of evil forces would not succeed.
"The martyrdom of Mandeep Singh will inspire many others to protect our motherland," he said.
Khattar said a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh would be given to the next of kin of the martyr.
