Pathankot terror attack: Remembering the 7 bravehearts who laid their lives to save the nation's pride

Even as the Pathankot faceoff between Indian Army and Pakistan terrorists may have come to an end, a pall of gloom has descended on the aggrieved families of the 7 martyrs who died while holding their ground and showing unparalled bravery for nearly three days against terrorists at the airbase in Punjab.

As India mourns the loss of such precious lives, we remember the bravehearts and their last moments of courage that has left a whole nation inspired.

Martyr Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar

Lt Col Niranjan E Kumar was a native of Elambulassery near Mannarkkad in Palakkad. He was a member of the bomb disposal squad of the NSG. Officials said that he was killed as an improvised explosive device went off accidentally during combing operations which also injured five NSG personnel. A resident of Kerala, Niranjan is survived by wife Radhika and their two-year-old daughter.

Subedar Major Fateh Singh

51-year-old Subedar Major Fateh Singh was on duty at the Pathankot base as part of the Defence Security Corps, a unit staffed by veterans no longer in active service. He had clinched a gold in the Big Bore Rifle Three Position event and a silver in the Big Rifle Prone Position event of the first Commonwealth Shooting Championship held here in 1995. He retired as a Subedar Major from the Dogra regiment in 2009 and joined the Defence Service Corps. On the fateful night, he wore his uniform and ran out of the house at the base to fight the terrorists. In a departure from tradition, his Madhu was among those who carried her father's coffin to his funeral pyre.

Garud Commando Gursevak Singh

Garud Commando Gursevak Singh, a resident of village Garnala in Ambala who was killed in the Pathankot terror attack. Singh was posted in Adampur and was rushed to the Pathankot Air Base Friday night to counter the terrorists. He had applied for a long leave, from January 13 to February 6, so that he could celebrate his wife’s birthday at home on February 5. Gursewak had joined Garud Commando Force, special forces unit of the Air Force six years ago, soon after completing his BA, following in the footsteps of his elder brother, Hardeep Singh, who is also in the Indian Army, posted in Dharamshala. He was cremated today with full military honours at his village near Ambala in Punjab.

The commando was shot early as the Pathankot gun battle began, but he continued to fight till he died. The commando had joined the Garuds six years ago after graduation. He got married only 45 days ago.

Havildar Kulwant Singh

49-year-old Kulwant from Gurdaspur district of Punjab joined the army at the age of 19. In 2004, he retired from the army. In 2006, he joined Defence Security Corps. He is survived by his mother, wife and two sons.

Havildar Sanjeevan Singh Rana:

Sanjeevan Singh Rana (51) from Himachal Pradesh suffered five bullet injuries and martyred on the first day of the attack. He was the only earner of his family and survived by wife and three children. In 2009, he retired from Dogra Regiment. His father, Rattan Rana also served in army.

Sepoy Jagdish Chanda

He was working in the kitchen as a cook when the terrorists attacked. He chased the terrorists apparently bare-handed and managed to kill one of the terrorists there itself with his own rifle. He later fell to the bullets of the remaining terrorists.

Mohit Chand
Not much has been written about him, and we are waiting for update from authorities.