Agniveer Amritpal Singh tragically takes his own life while on sentry duty
Taking to X, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday said irrespective of the army policy, the policy of his government will remain the same for a martyr and it will give Rs 10 million (approximately $120,000) to the family of the soldier.
The Army has stated that Agniveer Amritpal Singh took his own life while on sentry duty and that military honors were not given at his funeral because such honors are not provided for deaths resulting from self-inflicted injuries. The Army emphasized that they treat all soldiers equally, regardless of whether they joined before or after the Agnipath scheme’s implementation. Some allegations were made that the military didn’t honor Singh’s funeral because he was an Agniveer soldier.
The Army’s White Knight Corps, based in Nagrota, reported that Singh passed away while on sentry duty in the Rajouri sector due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In a statement, the Army clarified that there had been some confusion and misrepresentation of facts regarding Singh’s unfortunate death, acknowledging that it is a significant loss for his family and the Indian Army.
The Army continued by explaining that following standard practice, Singh’s remains were transported under Army arrangements, along with an escort party, to his native place for the last rites. They also emphasized that the Armed Forces do not differentiate between soldiers who joined before or after the Agnipath scheme in terms of benefits and protocols they are entitled to.
The Army clarified that deaths resulting from suicide or self-inflicted injuries, regardless of the type of entry, are treated with respect by the Armed Forces, and they express deep sympathy for the family. However, military funerals are not provided for such cases, in line with the Army Order of 1967, which has been consistently followed without discrimination.
They further provided statistics, indicating that there has been an average yearly loss of 100-140 soldiers due to suicides or self-inflicted injuries since 2001, and military funerals were not granted in these cases. The Army assured that financial assistance and relief according to entitlements are promptly provided, including immediate financial support for conducting funerals. They acknowledged the heavy burden that such losses place on families and the Forces.
In times of tragedy, the Army called for society to respect the privacy and dignity of the affected families while showing empathy during their moments of grief. They reiterated their commitment to adhering to established policies and protocols, emphasizing the importance of the society’s support in upholding these principles.
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