Family seeks martyr status for Barnala Agniveer who died during training

The death of a 22-year-old Agniveer from Punjab’s Barnala district during training in Uttar Pradesh has triggered widespread grief in his hometown, with family members and residents demanding that he be accorded martyr status.

Jashanpreet Singh, a resident of Radha Rani Colony in Barnala, passed away while undergoing training at Fatehgarh, according to his family. Relatives claimed they were informed by Army authorities that he suffered a cardiac arrest during the training period, though no official statement detailing the cause of death had been issued at the time of filing this report.

Advertisement

The young recruit had joined the Army under the Agniveer scheme nearly 18 months ago. Coming from a family with a military background, he was the third member of the household to serve in uniform. His father, Buta Singh, is an Army veteran, while his elder brother, Arshdeep Singh, is currently serving in the armed forces.

The news of his death drew mourners to the family’s residence, where relatives, former servicemen, political representatives and residents gathered to offer condolences. The incident has also sparked emotional reactions across Barnala, with many describing Jashanpreet’s death as a major loss for a family known for its contribution to national service.

Family members said Jashanpreet had chosen the military profession out of a desire to serve the country and had been pursuing his training with dedication. They urged authorities to recognise his death as a service-related sacrifice, arguing that the incident occurred while he was undergoing official military training.

His mother, Charanjit Kaur, expressed anguish over the loss of her son and said no parent should have to witness such a tragedy. Other family members echoed the demand for official recognition of his service and sacrifice.

According to relatives, a military contingent is expected to accord ceremonial honours during the final rites. The funeral is likely to be attended by serving and retired defence personnel, besides residents from the area.

As of now, the Army has not released any detailed statement regarding the circumstances of the death, and medical findings have also not been made public. Officials are expected to clarify the cause of death after the completion of necessary procedures.

The incident has reignited discussions around the welfare and recognition of personnel serving under the Agniveer scheme, even as the family awaits further communication from military authorities.