Kangra Bids Tearful Farewell to 25-Year-Old Soldier Naveen Kumar, Laid to Rest with Full Military Honors
Dharamshala, May 23:
A wave of sorrow swept across Himachal Pradesh as the mortal remains of Agniveer Naveen Kumar, a 25-year-old soldier from Halun village in Thural Panchayat, Kangra district, returned home draped in the tricolor. Naveen tragically lost his life in a landslide while on duty in the Drass sector of Kargil. His sacrifice has plunged the state into mourning.
On Friday morning, as his body arrived in his native village, grief engulfed the entire area. The wails of his mother, grandparents, and sister filled the air with sorrow. The final rites were held on the banks of the Neugal Khad near the village, where Naveen was cremated with full military honors. His cousin Anshu lit the funeral pyre.
Officers and soldiers from the 13 JAK Rifles, local administration, police officials, and hundreds of villagers, including area MLA Vipin Singh Parmar, attended the funeral. The air echoed with chants of “Naveen Kumar Amar Rahe!” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai!”
A Son of the Soil Returns Wrapped in the Flag
Naveen’s mother Ajudhya Devi and sister Shivani were inconsolable. The family had already suffered the loss of his father, Rajmal, a Havildar in the 13 JAK Rifles, who passed away five years ago. Shivani is married, leaving only their mother and elderly grandparents—Bhoomi Ram and Champa Devi—at home.
In August 2024, before departing for duty, Naveen had told his mother,
“Maa, when I come home next time on leave, start looking for a girl. Let’s fix the wedding date too. You’re alone here…”
But fate had other plans.
On the night of May 14, 2025, a devastating landslide in Drass abruptly ended Naveen’s journey. The impact of the disaster was so severe that he could not be saved. His body reached Palampur late Thursday evening but was not transported to the village until morning due to nightfall. When it finally arrived on Friday, tears flowed freely across the village.
As a mark of respect, the Thural market committee decided to shut down all shops until 1 p.m. in honor of Naveen’s supreme sacrifice.
From Dreams to Duty
Naveen joined the Indian Army in December 2022 under the Agnipath scheme, fulfilling his lifelong dream of serving the nation. After completing training in Jabalpur in January 2023, he was posted to the 13 JAK Rifles in the challenging terrain of Drass, Kargil. In those harsh conditions, he stood resolute, considering service to the motherland not just a duty—but a sacred mission.
Himachal Pradesh has lost a brave heart, and the nation bows to his courage and sacrifice.
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