Meerut: Agniveer Lalit Kumar, a native of Pastra village in Meerut, was martyred on July 25 in a landmine blast during patrol duty in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch region. The 22-year-old had joined the Indian Army a year and a half ago under the Agnipath scheme and was posted with the Jat Regiment.
Just a day before his death, Lalit had spoken to his mother over the phone. “Why do you worry, Ma? Your son is a soldier now. I’ll take away all your troubles,” he had said, promising to return home after Raksha Bandhan with enough money to support the family.
Lalit came from a financially weak background and was the youngest of five siblings. He had dreams of building a new home and arranging his sister’s marriage. Family members recall that his aspirations were solely for the well-being of his loved ones.
His mortal remains were brought to Meerut on July 27 and cremated with full military honours. His mother, Saroj Bala, and elder sister Kajal were inconsolable.
Lalit had told his sister he would pursue further studies to become an officer. “He wanted to achieve so much,” she said, “but he left too soon.”
