Capt. Pawan Kumar: A Jat, JNU degree holder and a soldier

Captain Pawan Kumar, 22, who died fighting terrorists on Sunday in Pampore in Kashmir valley is an elite Para commando. Incidentally, he belongs to two constituencies that are out on the streets agitating. He is a Jat from Jind district in Haryana and a degree holder from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi.

He is one of the four security personnel killed in the operations at Pampore where terrorists are holed up in a government building. “He was killed as he was leading his men. The operation was tricky as possibility of some civilians being trapped in was not ruled out,” one officer said.

On hearing about his son’s death, Capt. Kumar’s father Rajbir Singh's first reaction was, “I had one child, I gave him to the Army, to the nation. No father can be prouder.”

Capt. Kumar’s death and his father’s comments could not be any starker to the developments in his home state Haryana, which is burning due to agitation by the Jat community demanding reservation and as JNU in Delhi boils with debates of anti-nationalism.

“He was destined to be in the Army as he was born on Army Day,” he added.

According to Army officials, he had taken part in two successful operations earlier in which three terrorists were killed — including the operation on February 15 in Pulwama in which one terrorist and two civilians were killed.

Capt. Kumar was born on January 15, 1993, observed as the Army Day, graduated from the 123 course of the National Defense Academy and was commissioned into the Army on December 14, 2013. He was with the 10 Para Special Forces and in service for less than three years.

Incidentally as the situation unfolded in Haryana on Friday, the civilian administration quickly requisitioned the Army. It should be noted that India has one of the largest Central Armed Police Forces and Para Military Forces but once again — reinforcing a growing trend — the army became the primary responder.

“Pawan Kumar was a young and a dynamic officer, He was a true commander”, Lt. Gen. S.K. Dua, General Officer Commanding of Udhampur based 15 Corps said after paying respects to his mortal remains.

Officials added that the mortal remains of Capt. Kumar will be transported by air to Jind on Monday for last rites.

The encounter in Pampore began on Saturday after terrorists entered the seven storey building of the Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) where 2-3 terrorists are still believed to be held up.