Jammu, Dec 23: The brother of a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990 has expressed his desire to visit the country to restore his brother’s grave and offer his prayers.
Mohd Taj, son of Shah Wali and a native of Chungan village in the Mendhar tehsil of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, lost his life in 1989 while serving with the 1 J&K Light Infantry (JAKLI) of the Indian Army.
Taj was deployed in Sri Lanka during the civil conflict and, due to operational difficulties, he was laid to rest there following his heroic sacrifice.
Over three decades later, Taj’s family continues to grieve his passing. His brother, Mohd Azam, has reached out to the Central government for assistance in making the trip to Sri Lanka.
“I wish to pay my respects and ensure that my brother’s final resting place is well cared for, honoring his noble sacrifice,” Azam shared with PTI Videos.
He has also sought help from both the Indian Army and the government to aid in the restoration of the grave, highlighting the vital need to uphold the dignity of soldiers who have laid down their lives for the country.
In Chungan village, the community remembers Taj’s bravery, considering him a paragon of valor and patriotism, as noted by his brother.
The IPKF was engaged in Sri Lanka from 1987 to 1990 under an accord aimed at ending the civil war. Many Indian soldiers, including Taj, made the ultimate sacrifice during this mission, Azam stated.
“We are making efforts to bring this issue to the relevant authorities’ attention. We remain hopeful that our family’s wish will be honored, enabling us to pay tribute to a soldier who dedicated his life to the nation,” he concluded. (Agencies)
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