In a heartfelt Christmas address at the Supreme Court, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud paid solemn homage to the four Indian Army soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a recent terrorist ambush in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir. The Chief Justice, addressing the gathering, remarked, “We will give up everything, even if it comes to our lives, as so many people in our Armed Forces do in the service of the nation. We lost four of our members of the Armed Forces two days ago.”
Amidst the Christmas celebrations, Chandrachud urged everyone to remember the brave individuals stationed at the borders, sacrificing their lives to safeguard the nation. The poignant message comes in the wake of the attack in the Poonch-Rajouri sector, where heavily armed terrorists ambushed two Army vehicles, resulting in four fatalities and three injuries.
Even as Chief Justice Chandrachud conveyed his tributes, Indian Army Chief General Manoj Pande scheduled a visit to the Rajouri sector, the site of the recent tragedy. The fallen soldiers, Naik Birender Singh, Rifleman Gautam Kumar, Naik Karan Kumar, and Rifleman Chandan Kumar, were accorded a dignified farewell at a wreath-laying ceremony in Rajouri.
The Poonch-Rajouri sectors fall under the purview of the 16 Corps, which is undergoing a routine change in command. Lt Gen Naveen Sachdev is set to take over from the incumbent Lt Gen Sandeep Jain. Simultaneously, the Indian Army is conducting an inquiry into the deaths of three civilians in the same sector, stating, “The matter is under investigation,” and reaffirming their commitment to support and cooperate with investigations.
As the nation reflects on the sacrifices made by its armed forces during the festive season, the call to remember and honor those who stand guard at the borders remains a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by those in service.
