An unfortunate incident happened in Jammu and Kashmir, where a newly-inducted Agniveer died due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury in the Rajouri district, said the Army. The Agniveer, identified as 19-year-old Amritpal Singh, died on Wednesday (October 11) while on sentry duty.19-year-old Agnieer dies due to self-inflicted gunshot injury: ArmyWhile confirming this incident, the Indian Army said, “In an unfortunate incident, Agniveer Amritpal Singh died while on sentry duty in Rajouri Sector, due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury.”A court of inquiry has been launched to look into the incident, the Army said.“Mortal remains of the deceased, accompanied by one Junior Commissioned Officer and four other Ranks, were transported in a Civil Ambulance hired by the Unit of the Agniveer. Accompanying Army personnel also attended the last rites. The cause of death is a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with the existing policy,” the statement added.Congress slams Army, Centre for not giving him military funeralAmid Singhs tragic demise, several political parties, including Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have drawn concerns and criticism as the 19-year-old Agnieer was denied to get any guard of honour or military funeral.However, the Army said that “the cause of death being a self-inflicted injury, no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with existing policy”.Former Meghalaya Governor Satyapal Malik said the remains of Amritpal were brought to his village in an ambulance by a Havildar and two jawans and not an Army vehicle. He said the villagers approached the districts SSP who arranged a police guard of honour for the Agniveer in the absence of Army personnel. He criticised the Centre for denying the status of a martyr to Agniveers.Taking it to X, State Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said, “This is a sad day for our country as this who was recruited under the Agniveer scheme was sent back home in a Pvt ambulance & not given any guard of honour by the @adgpi. Does being an Agniveer mean that their lives dont matter as much”Shameful: SAD leaderSenior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia said in a tweet, “It is most tragic and unfortunate to see that due to the Modi Governments new Agniveer Policy first martyr of the country, only 19-year-old Amritpal Singh was not even provided army ambulance to bring his body home. It is most shameful to note that even customary Guard of Honour was not provided to Martyr.”Recalling previous recognition, Majithia said that the Union Home Minister had accepted that martyrs from the Sikh community were at the forefront of saving the country. “Keeping in view the insensitive approach of Modi Government youth will desist from getting recruited under the scheme. Modi government should immediately stop this scheme…” he said.
