Last salute: Six-year-old son bids farewell as Col Manpreet Singh is cremated

Kabir, 6, saluted his father, Colonel Manpreet Singh, one last time before his cremation in Mohali, Punjab. Mourners, family, and officials paid their respects, with Kabir clinging to the tricolour-wrapped coffin. The cremation was with full military honours, including a wreath laying ceremony and gun salute. Punjab Governor, former Army chief, and Punjab ministers attended, consoling the family.

"Jai Hind Papa." A stoic six-year-old Kabir dressed in army-style fatigues saluted his father one last time before Colonel Manpreet Singh, killed in the gunfight with terrorists in Kashmir valley, was cremated at his village in Punjab's Mohali district on September 15.

Since early morning, Colonel Singh's house in Bharaunjian village witnessed a steady stream of mourners who joined his inconsolable wife, mother and other family members in his final journey. An Army officer was seen holding Kabir as the family and others paid their last respects while a relative held on to his two-year-old daughter Banni.

Kabir was later seen clinging to the tricolour-wrapped coffin of his father along with other family members. He bowed before his father's body just before cremation as "Bharat Mata ke Sapoot Ki Jai" and "Bharat Mata ki Jai" slogans rent the air.

The cremation took place with full military honours, including a wreath laying ceremony and a gun salute.

Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit, former Army chief V P Malik and Punjab ministers Chetan Singh Jouramajra and Anmol Gagan Maan as well as senior Army and police officers were present at Bharaunjian and laid wreaths. Lt Gen D P Vats (retd), a BJP leader, was also present.

Purohit and Anmol Maan were seen consoling the family members of Colonel Singh.

In the morning, Colonel Singh's mother was seen wailing as she waited at the doorsteps for her son's mortal remains. A third-generation soldier, Singh's father who died nine years ago, was an ex-serviceman.