T Kishore Kumar Sinha of Basmara
Basti in Silchar district of Assam was only 27 years old when he lost his life
in a gunfight withterrorists on August 15, 2010. He was posted at 38 RR Madras
Regiment as a Gunner. He was posted at Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir at
the time of his demise. His sister-in-law, Haripriya Sinha talks with Melange
about the warrior.
T.Kishore Kumar Sinha was a very courageous soldier, who lost his life in an encounter with terrorists while he was on patrolling duty with a few other members of his battalion. According to the information from his family, the brave soldier singlehandedly killed one Lashkar-e-Taiba militant before getting shot in the forehead. His troop had received information that three Lashkar-e-Taiba militants were hiding in a dense maize field in Sheruwala area of Jammu and Kashmir. On receiving the information, the troop advanced towards the hideout of the militants. The brave soldier took the lead and showed immense courage when the militants opened fire. He rushed to ambush them and was killed in the process after successfully shooting down one militant. The brave soldier made the supreme sacrifice of his life in the process of eliminating terrorists.
Haripriya Sinha recalls, “The day still remains fresh in our memory. He was my brother-in-law, who was a very brave person. He was the first person in our family who was working in the Army. When we received the phone call that he was shot dead while fighting terrorists, the news came as a shock for us. He was so young – only 27 years old, and unmarried. The army told us that he lost his life while fighting terrorists. The family was devasted.”
She continues, “Kishore was a very good person. He was very strong and was very courageous. He showed exemplary courage by leading from the front and killingone terrorist. We were a very poor family and dependent only on agriculture which was done by our father. He had two brothers and two sisters, but none of his brothers had a job. Kishore was the only son from our family to have a government job and was working for the Army. We are very proud of him and recall his memories every day.”
According to Haripriya Sinha, the Army provided them the grant that they were supposed to get. And their mother, Punimashi Sinha also receives the dependent pension. Haripriya shares, “The army was supposed to help us in opening a gas agency. I have applied for it numerous times, and each time the application has been rejected. Initially we applied for it in our mother’s name, but it was rejected as she had not cleared her matriculation and was only class four pass. We then again applied in my husband’s name and my name as well. I am a graduate, but we have still not received a positive response.”
She further shares, “Our family has built a small memorial to my brother-in-law. We are a Hindu family and as per rituals his body was cremated inside our campus. We received his body with full honour from the army. We have built a small memorial in the place where he was cremated inside our campus. And every year, people from our village come and pay their homage to him on his death anniversary. We, as a family, also light diyas and incense sticks every day to pay respect to his departed soul.”
Kishore Kumar Sinha loved to spend time with his family and friends. When he was home for vacations, he would play football with his friends. He also assisted his father in cultivating the fields and also helped his mother and sister-in-law with their household chores. His friends and fellow villagers still talk about him. He was a very helpful person and never hesitated to help anyone whenever they were in need. He was also a very generous and honest person. He was the first martyr from their village.
Haripriya Sinha states, “Kishore was a very friendly person. There is not a single person in our village who does not know him. He was so brave and courageous and he deeply loved his family. We lost a beloved son and a brother. We miss his presence every day, but we still feel that he is with us. He lives with usin our hearts. It feels like yesterday, when he was with us with his cheerful face, bringing happiness to all his family members.”
As the family whose son was martyred, Kishore Kumar’s mother and sister-law are invited to several events organised by the armed forces held in various places across Assam to honour the brave hearts who made the supreme sacrifice for their motherland. According to Haripriya Sinha they are also invited to several events organised by the armed forces and his unit.
She says, “In February we were invited to a programme held by the SainikBoard. We have also attended events at Guwahati, Kolkata and Jammu and Kashmir. All we have is the memory of our son. Kishore is like a son to me. I am very proud of him and we feel we are very lucky. I feel a sense of pride when they mention his name and recall his bravery. The Army also awarded him the Sena Medal for his supreme sacrifice to the nation. I just wish the army keep their promise and help us in opening the gas agency. I will be happy if they help us in this simple wish of ours.”
The late martyr continues to live in the memories of his loved ones. They still remember him as the brave heart who courageously gave his life fighting terrorists. He is an inspiration to his family and his fellow friends and villagers. Kishore Kumar Sinha has done everything possible to serve the country. His commitment towards his work and his country is exemplary and is an inspiration for all. 13 years have passed since the brave son lost his life, but for his family he continues to live on in their memories.