A Nation Salutes Its Bravehearts: JCO Vipan Kumar & Sepoy Arvind Singh, Martyred in Kishtwar cremated with Full Military Honors.
||Black and White Digital News||
||September 14, 2024||
In a solemn ceremony that united the people of Jammu, the nation bid farewell to two brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar and Rifleman Arvind Singh, both martyred in a terrorist encounter, were laid to rest with full military honors. The cremation, held with deep reverence, marked a poignant moment as families, military officials, and political leaders gathered to pay tribute to these national heroes.
The day began with a wreath-laying ceremony organized by the Army at the Indian Air Force (IAF) station in Jammu. The General Officer Commanding of the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, led the ceremony, saluting the fallen soldiers for their courage and dedication. “In a solemn wreath-laying ceremony, GOC White Knight Corps laid a wreath to pay homage to bravehearts Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar and Rifleman Arvind Singh who made the supreme sacrifice in the highest traditions of Indian Army. Their sacrifice will never be forgotten,” the Army said in a post on X, reflecting the deep sense of loss felt by the entire nation.
The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Samba-Kathua range, Shiv Kumar Sharma, who joined in offering tributes. The sight of the nation’s defense and security personnel standing shoulder to shoulder, heads bowed in respect, was a solemn reminder of the price of peace and security.
Later, the funeral procession made its way to the cremation ground, where the soldiers’ families and comrades gathered to bid a final goodbye. The minor son of Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar stood alongside his uncle, who tried to console him, but the weight of the moment was too heavy to bear. The pain was palpable as Kumar, the brother of the deceased, held his nephew close, trying to offer some solace in the face of unimaginable loss.
The cremation was conducted with full military honors. A wreath-laying ceremony was held, and a gun salute reverberated through the air, a fitting tribute to the soldiers who had given their lives for the nation. Among those who attended were Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Ravinder Raina, Member of Parliament Jugal Kishore, and local leaders from various political parties. They came together to pay their respects, putting aside political differences to honor the soldiers’ valor and sacrifice.
Ravinder Raina, while paying tribute, spoke of the unwavering commitment and patriotism of the soldiers, stating, “Their sacrifice will inspire generations. We stand united in grief but also in pride for the bravery and dedication they displayed.”
As the flames rose, signaling the final farewell, the crowd stood in silent reverence. The grief of the families was mirrored by the nation, yet their sacrifice ignited a sense of pride and resilience. These bravehearts will be remembered not just for their service, but for their spirit, which now lives on in the hearts of those they protected.
In their ultimate sacrifice, Naib Subedar Vipan Kumar and Rifleman Arvind Singh have left behind a legacy of courage and dedication, their memory forever etched in the annals of the Indian Army’s glorious tradition of selflessness and valor.
