Uttarakhand, October 28: The father of the 22-year-old Indian Army Jawan Rajendra Singh Bungla, who was martyred in the line of duty after getting attacked by a stone pelting mob in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag area on Friday, broke down in tears and cried uncontrollably after the body of his son and the martyred jawan reached his native place in Badena village in Gangolihat area of Pithoragarh district. The father of the late jawan Rajendra Singh, Chandra Singh, had brought up Rajendra, his only son and three daughters by carrying weights and load on the horse from a grocery store to earn his living. Jammu & Kashmir: Army Soldier Rajendra Kumar Hit by Stone-Pelters in Anantnag Succumbs to Injuries.

The father had only recently sold the horse after Rajendra insisted saying that he was now earning enough to take care of the family needs. Though the father was reluctant, jawan Rajendra said that his father must not "carry burden" at this age. The family, which had seen back-breaking poverty, were delighted after Rajendra got selection call in the Indian Army in the year 2015. But Rajendra Singh's father and family were inconsolable at the sight of the young jawan's martyred body along with the villagers who bid a teary-eyed final goodbye to their brave son.

The chief minister, Army and administrative officials paid tribute to the 22-year-old soldier by laying a wreath on his mortal remains which were brought to Pithoragarh Army headquarters Saturday by an Army aircraft. The Army gave a Guard of Honour to the martyr.

Paying tributes to the martyr, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat said that Jawan Bungla will always be remembered for laying down his life for the country. He said the state government was with his family at this hour of grief.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 28, 2018 02:44 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).