THE MORTAL remains of Agniveer Akashdeep Singh (20) were brought to his native Chahal village in Kotkapura constituency of Faridkot, where he was cremated with full military honours on Friday. Akashdeep, who was serving in the Punjab Regiment, lost his life after suffering a bullet injury in Jammu early on Thursday. “We were informed around 1 am that Akashdeep had been hit by a bullet in the head. and that he didn’t survive. He had donned the uniform just two years ago under the Agnipath scheme, driven by his athletic spirit and patriotism,” said his father Balwinder Singh, his voice trembling. As his mortal remains reached the village wrapped in Tricolour, villagers gathered to bid farewell to their son. Villagers from nearby areas too had gathered in large numbers. A gifted sprinter, Akashdeep had won medals in 100m and 200m races during school and college, and later shone in sports competitions held within his unit in Hisar. “He was selected for the Army because of his physical fitness and sports achievements,” Balwinder said, adding, “After completing Class 12, he had taken admission in B.Com. But when he got selected as an Agniveer, he chose it over everything else.” The family now has only his memories left. His father says that Akashdeep once came home on leave, marched into the courtyard, and saluted his mother before stepping inside — a gesture that now lives on only in memory and mobile clips. His recent departure, after a short break on April 17, was captured in another emotional video that has since gone viral — showing him hugging his parents tightly before boarding the bus, unaware it would be his final goodbye. Akashdeep’s brother, 17-year-old Komalpreet Singh, a Class 12 student and an NCC cadet, inspired by his elder brother, is equally committed to joining the armed forces. “He is very disciplined about his fitness. But after what has happened… we are shattered,” Balwinder said. Meanwhile, Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan visited the family to offer his condolences.
