DHARAMSALA: The mortal remains of Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, a brave soldier from Shahpur who was martyred in Pakistani shelling in Poonch on May 10, were laid to rest with full military honors in his native village Jhulad in Shahpur today. His son lit the funeral pyre as family, friends, and fellow citizens bid an emotional farewell.
The tricolor-draped body of the martyr reached Shahpur from Jammu around 1 PM. A pall of grief descended on the village as the cortege arrived, and cries of mourning filled the air. Yet amidst the tears, pride shone in every eye — pride for a son of the soil who gave his life for the nation.
The solemn ceremony was attended by several dignitaries. On behalf of the state government, Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Agriculture Minister Prof. Chandra Kumar, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, DC Hemraj Bairwa, and SP Shalini Agnihotri offered floral tributes. Former Assembly Speaker Vipin Parmar, former minister Sarveen Chaudhary, and former MLA Arun Kumar were also present to pay their respects.
As the body reached the village, the air reverberated with patriotic slogans — "Subedar Major Pawan Kumar Amar Rahe", "Bharat Mata Ki Jai", and "Pakistan Murdabad" — as hundreds of villagers, youth, and Army personnel gathered to honour the fallen hero.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, in a statement, paid rich tribute to Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, acknowledging his supreme sacrifice in defence of the country’s unity and sovereignty. “The nation will forever remain indebted to his courage. The state government stands firmly with his family in this hour of grief, ” he said.
Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, a resident of Ward No. 4 in Shahpur, served with the 25 Punjab Regiment. His father, Garaj Singh, is also a retired Havildar of the Indian Army. The martyr leaves behind his parents, wife, son, and daughter.
The final farewell turned into a massive public tribute, as a large crowd gathered to salute the bravery of a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice for the motherland.