‘We’re Orphans’: Families of CRPF Personnel Mourn Their Losses

(Photo: AP/ANI)

Thirty seven CRPF personnel were killed and five injured on Thursday in one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a Jaish-e-Mohammed suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying hundreds of kilograms of explosives into their convoy in Pulwama district of Jammu & Kashmir.

The families of the CRPF personnel were left in shock. While some were not able to respond to the loss, others said that they see this as a sacrifice.

Ramesh Yadav, Varanasi, UP

The family of Ramesh Yadav from Uttar Pradesh’s Varanasi got the news of his martyrdom on the evening of the attack. His cousin Subhash Yadav said that even after 14 hours of getting the news, the whole village is in a state of depression.

Ramesh was the sole breadwinner of the family, according to his cousin. He said that the situation of the family is not very good and they had taken out a mortgage on most of their properties.

Maninder Singh, Gurdaspur, Punjab

Devastated family members of CRPF jawan Maninder Singh are seeking action against Pakistan.

Maninder Singh's father, who said he is an orphan now, has urged proper revenge from the government. He said that it would have been okay if this happened in direct combat but since this was an ambush, the government should take appropriate revenge.

“This needs to stop, parents are turning orphans with the loss of lives of their young sons. The government needs to find a solution – with dialogue. I could never imagine that in my old days I would have to see my son go.”

Ajit Kumar Azad, Unnao, UP

Ajit Kumar Azad, a martyr from Unnao, UP left home on 10 February. Four days later, his father says that it feels like his son has ben snatched away from him.

“We got to know about the attack on TV and wanted to know which bus our son was in. We were trying to find out, we called everyone possible. When we got to know, it felt like my son has been snatched away right in front of my eyes.”

His father said that when the family tried to make Ajit stay, he said that he’ll be back in June itself, during his holidays.

The father further urged relief for the martyrs, saying that the government should provide a robust relief programme like government jobs for the kin of those killed in Thursday’s terror attack.

VV Vasanth Kumar, Wayanad, Kerala

VV Vasanth Kumar’s family members in Kerala are proud of their son for laying down his life for the nation.

40-year-old Kumar had returned to Srinagar earlier this month after a 10-day leave, his brother Sajeevan said.

“He had completed 18 years of service and was due to take retirement in less than two years’ time. We are proud of him as he has laid down his life for the country. ” 

Sajeevan, VV Vasanth Kumar’s Brother

Kumar is survived by his mother, wife and two kids.