Author: Alok K N Mishra
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 8, 2014
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ranchi/8-year-old-daughter-lights-slain-officers-funeral-pyre/articleshow/45407731.cms

Priya Kumari, the widow of Lieutenant Colonel Sankalp Kumar of 24 Punjab Regiment, was inconsolable when their eight-year-old daughter Sara was lighting the pyre at Harmu Ghat here on Sunday.

 "It is too early for him to come here. He cannot go away so soon. It is not possible," cried Priya as she entered Mukti Dham with the funeral procession of the brave soldier from Ranchi. Sankalp, who was killed on Friday in a fidayeen attack in north Kashmir's Uri sector, was cremated with full military honours.

 "We grew up playing together. It is an honour that he sacrificed his life for the security of the people of the country. We are immensely proud of him," said Sankalp's friend Priyadarshan Kumar consoling Priya.

 Union ministers Dharmendra Pradhan and Jayant Sinha, Jharkhand governor Syed Ahmad, chief minister Hemant Soren and former chief minister Arjun Munda were among those who attended the funeral and lay wreaths on the body. "He has laid down his life for the country. It is an honour for the people of Jharkhand. We are with the bereaved family," said Congress state president Sukhdeo Bhagat at Mukti Dham.

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Saturday paid his tributes to the Lieutenant Colonel saying his sacrifice would inspire generations.

 Retired Major C S Panda of Punjab Regiment came all the way from Bhubaneswar to offer his condolences to Sankalp's family. "He was the only thread between me and the Indian Army. Everyone forgets the sacrifices made by Army officers. Photographs are merely used during ceremonies. It is a harsh reality. I know it. But I am proud of my husband," Priya said.

 A visibly moved Major General Rajeev Edward (Ranchi) said, "The officer has made a supreme sacrifice. We will never forget his sacrifice."

The slain officer was to be promoted to the rank of a colonel on December 12, his family member Vipul Shukla said.

 The lieutenant colonel and six jawans were killed in a gun battle on Friday morning when six terrorists tried to storm into an Army fortification in Uri, leaving 11 security personnel dead, and killing two civilians in Tral.

 Several youths who had gathered at Harmu ghat for the funeral raised anti-Pakistan slogans. A group of people from Sankalp's locality, Sainik Colony, participated in his funeral procession and shouted slogans all along the 10-km route to Mukti Dham. People formed a serpentine queue to play floral tributes to the officer.