Mera Sher Beta Kahan Gaya: Mother of Army Major Killed in Anantnag

Major Ketan Sharma was killed, while another officer of the same rank and 2 soldiers were injured, in the encounter.

Army Major Ketan Sharma.

(Photo: Altered by The Quint)

The last rites of Indian Army Major Ketan Sharma, martyred in South Kashmir’s Anantnag on Monday, 17 June, was performed at his residence in Meerut Cantt on Tuesday, 18 June.

A grieving mother, consoled by the major’s colleagues in the army, was heard asking, “Mera sher puttar kithe gaya? Batado mera beta kab ayega. Main nehi jee sakdi.” (Where did my brave son go? Tell me when my son will return. I cannot live without him.)

Family of Major Ketan Sharma mourns his demise, at their residence in Kanker Khera. (Photo: ANI)

Family of Major Ketan Sharma mourns his demise, at their residence in Kanker Khera. (Photo: ANI)

‘Maybe This Is My Last Photo’, Major Ketan Had Said

Around 7 am on Monday, the day he attained martyrdom, Major Sharma had posted a photograph of himself on a family WhatsApp group, along with a message that said: “Maybe this is my last photo,” according to an Indian Express report.

“When he sent that message on WhatsApp, his wife replied, so did his brother-in-law, hoping he will get out of it fine. He didn’t respond,” the IE quoted Major Sharma ’s cousin Anil Sharma, as saying.

Major Ketan’s father, Ravinder Sharma, who retired from his job at a factory at Modinagar told the publication, “He used to contact us daily. Since his mother was unwell, he would always ask me to take care of her.”

Defence Minister Rajnath, Army Chief Pay Homage to Martyred Major

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Gen Bipin Rawat paid homage to martyred Major Ketan Sharma.

Singh and Rawat laid wreath on the body of Sharma at the Palam Technical Area in New Delhi.

"Paid tributes to Major Ketan Sharma who made the supreme sacrifice while fighting against the terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir. Major Sharma fought valiantly like a true soldier. My heart goes out to his bereaved family," Singh tweeted.

UP CM Announces Financial Assistance, Govt Job To Kin of Martyred Major

Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh and promised a government job to a family member of Major Ketan Sharma, ANI reported on Wednesday, 19 June.

"Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh and a government job to a family member of Army Major Ketan Sharma who lost his life in Anantnag encounter on 17 June, State Minister Suresh Rana told ANI

A road will also be named after him, Rana reportedly said.

Major Sharma and a militant were killed, while another officer and two troopers were injured on Monday, 17 June, in an encounter between security forces and the militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

The injured were rushed to the 92 base hospital of the Army in Srinagar, the officials told PTI. They added that an unidentified militant was also killed in the gunfight and his body recovered.

Arms and ammunition were seized from the encounter site, the officials said.

The identity and group affiliation of the slain militant was being ascertained, they added.

Security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area on Monday morning. The search operation led to a gunfight after the militants fired on the forces, who retaliated.

(With inputs from PTI, ANI and the Indian Express)