Paying tributes to their slain commander Gurnam Singh in a wreath laying ceremony with full honours, the Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday hailed his supreme sacrifice and said that fallen jawan had been instrumental in foiling infiltration on the border and will recommend the name for the highest gallantry award posthumously.
26-year-old Singh, who was undergoing treatment at the Government Medical College and Hospital here, died at around 11.45 pm on Saturday, police said. He was admitted the hospital in a critical condition.
Singh was injured when Pakistani snipers targeted him as he was instrumental in foiling a major infiltration bid along the international border in Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking at the ceremony, Additional Director General (ADG) BSF, Arun Kumar informed that Gurnam was one of those personnel responsible for foiling the infiltration as Pakistan was trying to send men across the border under the cover of fire on October 19th and 20th.
“Next morning he was on the same mount from where the infiltrators were sent back and he was shot at. It was becoming difficult for us to evacuate him from there due to the fire support of Pakistan and then we brought him to the Jammu medical college where he survived for two days,” Kumar added.
Asked if Gurnam’s name would be recommended for the highest gallantry award, said, “Absolutely the gallantry award would be a lesser possible award for him as he deserves much more …but we will be recommending for that”.
Ashok Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.
In the wake of reports of a border build-up by Pakistani troops across the IB, Kumar said BSF has the information and it was fully prepared to deal with any eventuality.
“I think we are having the information, we are ready for any eventuality and if they are building up we are ready for it”, he said.
“I am saddened by the demise of BSF jawan Gurnam Singh. He has given an example of bravery on the border and gave his life for the nation. I laud the sheer bravery and sacrifice of Gurnam Singh and offer my condolences to his grieving family,” Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in a series of tweets.
