A Naib Subedar of the Indian Army’s 19 Rashtriya Rifles died reportedly of a heart attack due to a “severe drop in oxygen level” at his posting in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district late Saturday evening.
The soldier, Pragat Singh, 31, a resident of Ramdas village in Punjab’s Amritsar district, had last spoken to his family members Saturday evening. “Pragat had difficulty breathing and was unable to continue the conversation. So, we advised him to rest and consult a doctor. Following this, the call ended,” a relative said.
A pall of gloom, meanwhile, descended on Ramdas and the surrounding areas after the family received information about Pragat’s death on Sunday morning, leaving the household inconsolable.
The mortal remains arrived at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on Sunday, from where they were taken to Ramdas, where villagers and local leaders have gathered to pay their respects to the soldier.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his deep sorrow over the soldier’s death. (Credit: X/@BhagwantMann)
Pragat had joined the Indian Army on December 23, 2015. For nearly nine years, he had been deployed in challenging areas, contributing to counterinsurgency and security duties. According to his brother, Pragat had returned to his unit barely one and a half months ago after completing leave, and his latest posting order in Jammu and Kashmir began on January 21.
The soldier is survived by his elderly parents, his wife Manjinder Kaur and their two young sons.
His mother Ranjit Kaur said Pragat never complained about even a headache and described her son as “a brave and fit soldier”, who had spoken to them around 8 the previous night.
Story continues below this ad
The last rites of Naib Subedar Pragat Singh will be performed on Monday with full military honours in the presence of Army personnel and officers, administrative officers and residents.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his deep sorrow over the soldier’s death, saluted his courage and assured the bereaved family that the state government stood firmly with them and would extend all possible assistance.
