Emotionally charged up Indian Army soldier who attended last rites of a fellow soldier in Sanyal village of Hiranagar tehsil in Kathua district on Tuesday appealed to the Union Government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to give them a free hand while they are defending frontiers of the mother Nation.

Sharing his emotions immediately after paying homage to Rifleman Jaki Sharma, who attained martyrdom in fresh exchange of firing along the line of control in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri late Monday night, one of the fellow soldiers said, "I want to tell the Government and our Prime Minister, "do not tie our hands. Give us free hand. Every day 1,2 or 3 young soldiers are sacrificing their lives. Today I want to ask why we have to loose so many precious lives on the border. Who is responsible for this. We also want to live with our families, with our wives, with our sisters. Why should we sacrifice our lives at such a young age ?

Earlier, angry villagers raised pro India and anti-Pakistan slogans while they shifted the mortal remains to the cremation ground wrapped in tri-colour. Enroute villagers stood on their rooftops to pay last respect to the brave sons of the soil.

The father of the martyred soldier, an ex-serviceman was handed over tri colour by a senior officer while he held his grand daughter in his lap. The minor girl also paid last respect to his brave father by touching his forehead after bowing down her head.

The mortal remains of both the jawans were consigned to flames with full military honors in their native villages. Large number of villagers and senior police and state government servants converged at the cremation ground to pay homage to the martyred soldiers.

Two army jawans were martyred along the line of control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of frontier Rajouri district late Monday night.

Unconfirmed reports claimed the jawans were hit by a sniper fire from across the line of control and succumbed to their fatal injuries in the military hospital late night.

However, Defence Ministry spokesman based in Jammu Lt-Col Devendra Anand claimed, "Pakistan army had initiated 'unprovoked' and 'indiscriminate' firing of small arms, automatics & mortars from 5.15 p.m on Monday in Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control (LoC)".

In response Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively, Lt- Col Devendra Anand said.The firing continued till late evening.

"In the exchange of fire, Rifleman Vinod Singh and Rifleman Jaki Sharma were grievously injured and succumbed to their injuries", Ministry of Defence Spokesman in Jammu said.

Rifleman Vinod Singh, aged 24 years, belonged to Village Danapur, Jaurian, District Akhnoor, J&K and is survived by his father, Ajit Singh.

Rifleman Jaki Sharma, aged 30 years, belonged to Village Sanhail, Hiranagar, District Jammu, J&K and is survived by his wife, Rajni Devi and a minor daughter. Rifleman Jaki Sharma's father is also a retired soldier and his younger brother is also serving in the Indian army.

Since January 2018 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and international border (IB) in Jammu & Kashmir have been witnessing sharp rise.

Over 650 instances of violations of ceasefire agreement of November 26, 2003 have been reported in the first three months alone, against 860 violations in whole of 2017.

To ensure safety of local residents living in the forward areas Union Government had approved massive construction of over 14,000 bunkers along the five border districts of Jammu province.

Last week the district administration in Rajouri handed over 100 bunkers to local residents to ensure their safety during intense exchange of firing along the line of control.

Courtesy: The Pioneer, Wednesday, 11 April 2018 | Mohit Kandhari | Jammu