Puri: A pall of gloom descended on the Algum village of Satyabadi area of Odisha’s Puri district soon after the death of Lance Naik Debashish Biswal reached his native village on Thursday. Debashish was one of the five Army jawans who was killed in a terrorist attack in Kashmir’s Poonch district yesterday.
A visit to the martyr’s village on Friday revealed that though shell-shocked, Debashish’s family members as well as the residents of Algum village are proud of his valor and sacrifice for the country.
Talking to OMMCOMNEWS, Debashish’s grandfather Panchanan Biswal said, “We never thought that we would have to see this day. We have lost a brave son who was not only dutiful to the family but also to the nation. We are shocked over his untimely death, but also proud of his services to the nation.
Debashis was attached to the Army’s Rashtriya Rifles unit and was deployed in Jammu and Kashmir as a part of the Indian Army’s counterterrorist operations in the region.
Dilip Biswal, the martyr’s cousin, said, “My brother was very hardworking and joined the Army with the aim to serve the nation. Whenever he visited us, he would take part in all social activities and was an inspiration for the local youth. He always took part in flood and drought relief activities and, hence, was very popular among the people.”
Dilip says he is very proud of his brother, but still cannot accept the fact that the jawan is no more.
He was the pride of our village, added his cousin Dilip Biswal.
Shantilal Biswal, Debashish’s aunt, could hardly speak as she kept on sobbing all the time when she was asked to tell anything about the slain Army jawan. “What should I say? We have lost a son … a brave and dutiful son who cared for his family. I don’t know what will happen to his wife Sangeeta and their infant daughter. Who will take care of them?”
Debashish is survived by his wife Sangeeta, whom he married on Akshay Tritiya day in 2021, and his 7-month-old daughter. It is unfortunate that he could not celebrate his second marriage anniversary two days later.
His father Pratap Biswal, mother, and brother Debasish Biswal were in a state of shock and unable to speak.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik condoled Debashish’s death. Taking to his Twitter handle, he wrote “The news of the martyrdom of Odisha’s hero Jawan Debasish Biswal in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir is very sad. His sacrifices for the safety of the country will always be remembered. May his soul rest in peace and my condolences to the family members at such a sad time.”
