Palwal, Haryana: A pall of grief has descended upon Gulawat village in Palwal district as the family and community mourn the loss of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, who was tragically killed in cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The news of his demise has left his wife, children, parents, and siblings in deep sorrow, while the entire village stands in solidarity with the bereaved family.
Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, 32, of the 5 Field Regiment, made the ultimate sacrifice while on duty, patrolling the volatile Line of Control (LoC). His untimely death came amidst a sharp escalation of hostilities, with intense artillery fire targeting areas near the border.
The news of his passing reached his family on Wednesday, leaving his wife, Seema, a lawyer, and their two young children, a seven-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son, devastated. Seema, who is also four months pregnant with their third child, found solace in the support of neighbors, relatives, and colleagues who gathered at their home to offer condolences.
“He was a very noble person – caring, honest, and brave,” Seema said, her voice choked with emotion. “He usually came home twice a year and stayed for a month. Every chance he got, he would talk to and spend time with his family. The last I spoke to him, he said everything was fine and that he would call me again at midnight. I always knew Poonch was a dangerous posting…”
Amidst her grief, Seema expressed a desire for retribution and a strong sense of patriotism. “I want his death avenged. The government should give a befitting response,” she asserted, holding her children close. “I want my children to join the Army too.”
Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar’s father, Daya Chand Sharma, stood stoically amidst the mourners, his grief evident yet his pride unwavering. “He always wanted to join the Army,” he said of his eldest of six children. “He was an artillery gunner. He motivated his brothers, cousins, and other villagers too to join the Army.” Notably, two of his younger sons are currently serving in the Indian Army as Agniveers.
Hari Dutt, 20, the youngest of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar’s brothers, who is posted in Jabalpur, echoed his father’s sentiments. “I was inspired by him. He helped me train for the Army. He would never say no to me; always got me whatever I wanted without me having to ask.”
On Thursday afternoon, as Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar’s mortal remains arrived in a truck draped with the Indian flag, chants of “Indian Army zindabad” and “Dinesh Kumar amar rahe” reverberated through the air. A sea of people from the village and beyond had gathered to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
Following a brief procession through the village, the body was taken for cremation, preceded by a 21-gun salute, a solemn tribute to his sacrifice.
Haryana Cabinet Minister Rajesh Nagar, who attended the last rites, conveyed the nation’s solidarity with the armed forces and the bereaved family. “All the countrymen are with the Army right now. They are proud of their army. Our Army will give a befitting reply. The nation stands with the family of Dinesh Kumar, who sacrificed his life while serving the country,” he stated.
Minister of State for Sports, Gaurav Gautam, also paid homage to the fallen soldier, saying, “The entire country bows down to Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar for his sacrifice. The government and the Army are looking forward to avenging the terrorist activity. Dinesh Kumar has sacrificed his life in this process. The whole nation bows down to him for his sacrifice.”
Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army saluted the supreme sacrifice of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar, acknowledging his dedication and service to the nation.
The tragic demise of Lance Naik Dinesh Kumar underscores the human cost of the ongoing tensions at the border and serves as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers to safeguard the nation’s security. His unwavering commitment to duty and his aspiration to serve the country from a young age will forever be etched in the hearts of his family and the grateful nation.