The Indian Army is in mourning following the untimely demise of a young soldier from Punjab. Naib Subedar Pragat Singh, aged 31, a resident of Ramdas village in Amritsar district, passed away due to a suspected heart attack at his posting in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district on Saturday evening.
A Sudden and Tragic End in Service
The tragic incident occurred late on Saturday, January 20. According to family members, Pragat Singh had last spoken to his family around 8 PM that evening. During the call, he reportedly experienced severe breathing difficulties, described as a "severe drop in oxygen level," which forced him to cut the conversation short. His family advised him to rest and consult a doctor immediately.
Sadly, that was their last conversation. The soldier, who was serving with the 19 Rashtriya Rifles, succumbed shortly after. The news of his death reached his family in Ramdas village on Sunday morning, casting a pall of gloom over the entire household and the surrounding community.
Final Journey and Official Condolences
The mortal remains of Naib Subedar Pragat Singh were brought to the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on Sunday. From there, they were taken to his native village of Ramdas, where grieving villagers, local leaders, and his devastated family awaited to pay their respects.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann expressed his profound sorrow over the soldier's death. In a post on social media platform X, the CM saluted Pragat Singh's courage and sacrifice. He assured the bereaved family that the state government stands firmly with them and will extend all possible assistance in their hour of grief.
A Brave Soldier's Legacy and Surviving Family
Pragat Singh had dedicated nearly nine years of his life to the nation. He joined the Indian Army on December 23, 2015 and had since been deployed in several challenging areas, actively contributing to counterinsurgency and security operations. His brother revealed that Pragat had returned to his unit only about one and a half months ago after completing his leave, and his latest posting in Jammu and Kashmir had commenced on January 21.
His mother, Ranjit Kaur, remembered him as a brave and fit soldier who never complained about any ailment, not even a headache. The soldier is survived by his elderly parents, his wife Manjinder Kaur, and their two young sons. The family, especially his mother, is inconsolable, struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
The last rites of Naib Subedar Pragat Singh are scheduled to be performed on Monday with full military honours. The ceremony is expected to be attended by Army personnel, officers, administrative officials, and a large gathering of residents from his village and nearby areas, all coming together to bid a final farewell to the fallen hero.
