A homecoming should be a joyous occasion, filled with laughter and warm embraces.
But for the family of CRPF jawan Sunil Kumar Mandal, his return to his home in Goaltor, West Midnapore, was one of unbearable grief. The young soldier returned in a coffin, his life cut short in the line of duty.
As the sun set on Sunday evening, his family gathered in mourning, their sorrow mirrored by the solemn tributes paid by his battalion. With a heavy heart, the CRPF’s 193rd Battalion honored their fallen comrade with a ‘guard of honour.’
Mandal lost his life on Saturday during an operation against Maoists in the dense forests of Chaibasa’s Chhotanagara police station area in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand. Leading his team with unwavering courage, he stepped into danger, only to be met with a tragic fate. An IED, planted by Maoists deep within the jungle, exploded, leaving both him and his fellow soldier, Partha Pratim Dey, severely injured.
They were airlifted to a hospital in Ranchi, where doctors, despite their best efforts, could not save Mandal. The news of his passing sent shockwaves through his family and community, while his injured colleague Dey faced a long and painful recovery after suffering serious leg injuries in the blast.
In Gachaupada village, where Mandal’s family resides, grief has taken hold.
The youngest among his siblings, he was the beloved heart of his family. His elder brother, Amal Mandal, a BSF officer, spoke with both pride and sorrow.
“When we join the forces, we take an oath to fight for the country, even at the cost of our lives. My brother upheld that promise with bravery. His sacrifice will not be forgotten,” he said.
Despite their anguish, his family stands resolute, holding onto the honour of his sacrifice for the nation's security.
Meanwhile, in Rajgram, Bankura, the home of injured CRPF jawan Dey is engulfed in worry. News of his critical injury reached his family on Saturday night. His mother broke down in tears upon hearing the news, while his father, who suffers from a long-standing heart condition, struggled to process the shock. They waited with bated breath as their son underwent surgery, seeking solace in the updates provided by his battalion.
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