In a tragic incident, Naik Mukesh Singh from Kamila village in Samba district, Jammu and Kashmir, lost his life in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast during a fence patrol in the Akhnoor sector on Tuesday. Just two months away from his wedding, Mukesh’s dreams were cruelly shattered, leaving his family and fiancée devastated.
The explosion occurred around 3:50 pm near the Line of Control (LoC), targeting an army patrol. Another soldier, Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi from Jharkhand, also lost his life. Mukesh, the son of a retired police officer, had planned to visit home on February 25 to oversee marriage preparations. However, the news of his death plunged his family and community into mourning.
The village sarpanch expressed deep sorrow, stating, “The entire village is grieving. Mukesh served the nation with dedication for 11 years. His sacrifice will always be remembered.” Another villager recalled, “Just days ago, Mukesh was here, buying tiles and furniture for his new house. No one imagined this tragedy would strike.”
Mukesh’s last rites are scheduled for Wednesday at his native village with full military honors. The Indian Army expressed condolences, with General Upendra Dwivedi stating, “We salute the supreme sacrifice of Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi and Naik Mukesh. The Indian Army stands with the bereaved families in this hour of grief.”
This incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by soldiers safeguarding the nation. As Mukesh is laid to rest, his dreams of a happy married life are buried with him, leaving behind a heartbroken family and a village united in grief.