Darjeeling , May 6: The tragic demise of Army jawan Siddhant Chettri during an anti-terror operation in Rajouri, Jammu and Kashmir, has shattered the hopes of his two-month-old marriage. Siddhant, a native of the Bijanbari area in Darjeeling district, West Bengal, was an ardent patriot who dedicated himself to serving the nation.
His elder brother, Om Prakash Chettri, who recently retired from the Army, spoke about Siddhant’s passion for his country. “My brother had an unwavering dedication to serving the country. That’s why he joined the Army in 2020 and earned a place in the Para (Special Forces) due to his exceptional performance. Just two months ago, he got married and returned to his duty in Jammu and Kashmir. Sadly, within 15 days of his return, he was martyred,” Om Prakash Chettri shared with PTI over a phone call, while en route to Bagdogra airport to receive his younger brother’s body.
Siddhant was one of the five Army jawans who lost their lives in an explosion caused by terrorists in the densely forested Kandi area of Rajouri. The operation aimed to eliminate the terrorists. During the incident, a major sustained injuries.
Belonging to the Para (SF), a special forces unit within the Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army, Siddhant specialized in counter-terrorism, hostage rescue, counter-insurgency, and special reconnaissance missions.
“He was so young, only 24. His wife is just 22 years old and also from Darjeeling. Upon receiving the news of Siddhant’s death, she has been repeatedly losing consciousness. Our parents are in silence, unable to utter a word,” expressed Chettri.
The mortal remains of Siddhant will be kept at their residence for the family to mourn on Saturday night, and the last rites will be performed on Sunday.
The operation in which Siddhant lost his life was launched based on intelligence inputs about the presence of a group of terrorists responsible for an ambush on an Army truck in Bhata Dhurian, Poonch district, in April, resulting in the deaths of five security personnel.
Prior to the recent attack, the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir have witnessed seven significant terrorist incidents since October 2021, claiming the lives of 29 individuals, including 22 Army personnel. (AGENCIES)
