Dharamshala (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 11 (ANI): Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, an Indian Army soldier from Shahpur in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, was killed in the line of duty during heavy cross-border firing by Pakistan in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir.
The body of the jawan reached his native village in Shahpur on Sunday, where the last rites were performed with military honors.
The ceasefire violation took place during the early hours of May 9, when Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing at Indian forward posts. Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, deployed with the 25 Punjab Regiment at the frontline, was fatally injured while retaliating. Despite Indian troops giving a fitting response to the ceasefire violation, Subedar Major Pawan Kumar succumbed to his injuries while defending the nation.
Earlier in the day, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the demise of the fallen soldier. In his condolence message, the Chief Minister stated that Subedar Major Pawan Kumar made the supreme sacrifice for upholding the unity and sovereignty of the country, and his sacrifice will be remembered forever.
He assured that the state government stands in solidarity with the bereaved family during this time of grief and will extend all possible assistance. He also prayed for peace to the departed soul and strength for the family to bear this irreparable loss.
Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, also paid tribute to Subedar Major Pawan Kumar, stating, “The brave Subedar Major Pawan Kumar of Shahpur in Himachal Pradesh was killed in the firing by Pakistan. My condolences are with the family. May God give the soul a place at his feet and grant strength to the family members.”
The loss of Subedar Major Pawan Kumar occurred amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following India’s launch of Operation Sindoor on May 7. The operation targeted nine terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) as a response to the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including one Nepali national.
Following the operation, cross-border shelling from Pakistan increased, prompting retaliatory actions from the Indian Armed Forces. High alert was declared across the border, and blackouts occurred during attacks from Pakistan.
On May 10, both countries agreed to cease hostilities, with US President Donald Trump announcing a “ceasefire” on his Truth Social platform. However, reports soon surfaced of Pakistan violating the agreement, with Indian air defense intercepting Pakistani drones amid a blackout in Srinagar.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri condemned the violation, stating that India takes the breach seriously. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi convened a meeting on Sunday with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, and tri-services chiefs at his residence. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan were also present at the meeting. (ANI)
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