Mendhar/Jammu: Havildar Mohd Iqbal, who was posted in Nagaland, had promised to return home for the grass-cutting season in September to the border hamlet of Kallar in Poonch district. His death in a terrorist attack has shattered the promise, with those awaiting his homecoming now preparing for his final journey.
Iqbal died in a suspected improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Nagaland’s Chumoukedima district on Monday. Five others — four security personnel and a civilian — were injured in the explosion, which occurred near Shokhuvi area at around 2 pm and reportedly targeted an Assam Rifles vehicle during an operational movement.
“Iqbal, who was an Army driver, had rejoined duty a little over a month ago after spending time with the family on leave. He had promised to come home again in next couple of months to help us during the annual grass-cutting season,” recalled his elderly father, Choudhary Kalu, his voice breaking as he mourned the loss of his son.
Instead of welcoming him home, the family is now preparing to receive his mortal remains. His body is expected to reach his native village on Thursday, when he will be accorded a final farewell with full military honours.
Iqbal is survived by his wife and three sons, the eldest studying in class 12, while the younger ones are in classes 8 and 6. As the family grapples to make sense of the devastating loss, relatives remember him as a devoted husband and father, a dutiful son and a dedicated soldier who served the nation with unwavering commitment.
Former village sarpanch Noor Mohammad, who is also Iqbal’s uncle, described the loss as deeply personal.
“He has left this mortal world after sacrificing his life for the country. Our entire village is in mourning. In fact, the whole of Mendhar sector stands with the family in this hour of grief.
“He was my nephew, so this is not only the village’s loss but also our family’s loss. We are heartbroken, but we thank almighty Allah that he laid down his life in service of the nation,” he said.
He appealed to the Army and the civil administration to ensure complete support for the bereaved family and requested that the soldier’s mortal remains be brought home at the earliest so that the last rites could be performed in his native village.
Neighbours and relatives gathered in large numbers at the family home to console his grieving wife, a homemaker and their young sons.
Immediately after the incident, Assam Rifles Director General Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera said all ranks of the force stand firmly with the bereaved family.
“Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera, AVSM, SM, Director General Assam Rifles, and all ranks of Assam Rifles pay solemn tribute to Hav Mohd Iqbal who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty in Nagaland today (Monday) and offer deep condolences to the family of our brave soldier,” the paramilitary force had said in a post on X.
