The Hometown Of Martyr Sepoy Mandeep Singh Who Was Beheaded By Pak Terrorists, Refuses To Celebrate Diwali

This Diwali, residents of Anthedi village in Kurukshetra will neither burst crackers, nor decorate their residences with hanging lights. Instead, they will only light a single 'diya'(oil lamp) at their respective homes.

ANI

The diya will be in the memory of sepoy Mandeep Singh, a native of the village who was killed and then beheaded by terrorists near the LoC in Macchil sector of Kupwara, Jammu & Kashmir on Friday. The villagers have decided not to celebrate Diwali to share the grief of Mandeep's family.

Also Read: Wife Of Martyred Soldier Beheaded By Pakistan Wants Revenge

Subhash Chand, sarpanch of the village, said even children have decided not to burst crackers. "There is no point of celebrating Diwali. Even neighbouring villages are mourning with us," resident Gyan Singh Nambardaar told TOI.

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Mandeep's elder brother Sandeep said, "We have built a new house and had planned to organise a house-warming ceremony during Mandeep's visit this Diwali. Our family is now shattered. Now, I want to join the Army to avenge the death of my brother. I appeal to the PM to take action against those who kill our soldiers."

Mandeep's wife Prerna, a head constable with Haryana police posted at Shahabad, has been inconsolable since the news her husband's death came in.

ANI

Mandeep is the second soldier from Kurukshetra to be killed in the ongoing cross-border violence. His body reached Ambala military hospital on Saturday evening. His last rites will be performed on Sunday morning.