Havaldar Abdul Majid’s broken promise, a heartbreaking homecoming

In a tale of valour and sacrifice, Havildar Abdul Majid, a commando of the elite 9 Para (SF), stood among the Five who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending against Pakistan-backed terrorists attempting to infiltrate the Dharmsal belt’s Bajimaal area in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday, November 22. Hailing from a lineage deeply entrenched in the armed forces, Majid emerged as a symbol of unwavering dedication to the nation.

The broken promise

Promising his return to his wife within days, Majid's promise was replaced by the sight of his coffin, adorned with the national flag.

"Just a day ago, he called me and told me that he will soon visit home. I called him a number of times yesterday, but his mobile was off. In the evening, I was told by the Army that he was injured in an encounter and is in the hospital," said Havildar's grief-stricken wife.

Former soldiers' pride and pain in nephew’s supreme sacrifice

Pride resonated in Majid's uncle's voice as he spoke of his nephew's sacrifice. “We are proud of his martyrdom while fighting terrorists in the Kalakote area. His brother, a soldier of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI), also achieved martyrdom in 2017 in the Bhimber Gali area of Poonch. We are ready to lay down our lives for the nation," declared Majid’s former soldier uncle, Mohammad Yousef.

Residing in the Ajot hamlet nestled between the zero-line and border fencing along the LoC, Majid’s family embodies a legacy of soldiers dedicated to defending the nation.

Being a soldier runs in the blood

“We have 30 to 40 family members who are serving or have retired from the Indian Army. Serving in the Army is in our blood. My son is also serving in the forces. It feels proud to be a soldier," reflected Yousef, a retired soldier of the army’s Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JKLI).

With anger over Pakistan's actions, the former soldier urged for a resolute response to deter such provocations in a fitting reply so they never dare to repeat such acts.

Hundreds of well-wishers and relatives congregated at Majid's residence, standing in solidarity with his grieving family, swelling with pride for his martyrdom.

Sunil Kumar Sharma, the Naib Sarpanch of Ajote, echoed the sentiments of the entire area, proclaiming, “Our son and brave jawan have achieved martyrdom in an encounter in Kalakote. The entire area is proud of him”.

"Pakistan is engineering mischief and killing innocent people here every day. Pakistan should be given a befitting reply so that they don’t dare to repeat such acts," asserted Sharma, voicing the collective anger towards Pakistan's relentless aggression.

Lost bravehearts 

The casualties in the encounter on that Wednesday included Captain M V Pranjal of 63 Rashtriya Rifles from Karnataka, Captain Shubham of the Special Forces from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Havaldar Abdul Majid of the Special Forces from Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir, Lance Naik Sanjay Bist from Nainital, Uttarakhand, and Paratrooper Sachin Laur, who was lost on Thursday.