Final salute, with anger writ large

Tarn Taran : The mortal remains of Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh, killed in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch yesterday, were consigned to flames with full military honours at his native Vainpoin village today, amid demands of teaching Pakistan a befitting lesson for the brutal killings.
Anger was palpable as the headless body of the slain soldier of 22 Sikh Infantry was brought to the village amid sloganeering by relatives and villagers.
The last rites were held up briefly as relatives remained adamant on seeing the body. The local administration had a tough time containing the mourners as some tried to open the coffin. The police used mild force to push them away. The mortal remains were cremated after a brief ceremony.
Paramjeet Singh, 42, is survived by aged parents Udham Singh and Gurinder Kaur, wife Paramjit Kaur and three minor children — daughters Simardeep Kaur and Khushdeep Kaur, and son Sahildeep Singh.
Udham Singh and son Sahildeep lit the pyre after senior Army and civil officials paid floral tributes to the soldier. Udham Singh said he was proud of his son and that Pakistan must be given a befitting reply.Earlier, the mortal remains were brought to the village in an Army helicopter around 11.40 am. The family expressed anguish at the absence of senior ministers and government functionaries from the cremation.