A tragic incident has cast a shadow over the Agnipath recruitment scheme as a young soldier from Uttarakhand lost his life in Jammu and Kashmir. Deepak Singh, a 23-year-old Agniveer hailing from the small village of Kharhi in Champawat district, died on Saturday from a bullet injury sustained in the Poonch district, near the Line of Control (LoC). The circumstances of his death are currently unclear, prompting investigations by both the Jammu police and the Indian Army.
Deepak Singh’s journey into the armed forces began two years ago, when he was recruited as part of the Agnipath scheme, a new initiative aimed at modernizing military recruitment by enlisting young soldiers for a fixed four-year tenure. After his recruitment, Deepak underwent rigorous six-month training at the Kumaon Regimental Centre in Ranikhet. Following his training, he was posted in Poonch, a border area known for its sensitive and often volatile security situation.
His family was devastated upon receiving the news. Speaking to The Indian Express, Deepak’s father, Shivraj Singh, recounted the heartbreaking moment when the Army informed them of his son’s death. “He was home for ten days and left on November 15. He was happy and proud of the work he was doing,” Shivraj said. The family received a call around 2:30 pm on Saturday informing them that Deepak had died of a bullet injury to his head. Despite being rushed to a hospital, he was declared dead on arrival.
The family remains in the dark about the exact circumstances that led to Deepak’s death. Shivraj recalled that his son had sent a message to his younger brother around noon on the day of the incident, just before starting his shift. “He was asking after his brother, and nothing seemed amiss. Two hours later, we got the call,” he shared, emphasizing how sudden and unexpected the tragedy was.
Deepak’s father also spoke about the bravery and resilience his son had shown in the face of danger. In June, shortly after heavy shelling in Poonch claimed sixteen lives, Deepak had visited his family. “He was telling us about the episode, and my brave son had overcome it. He only marched forward, never took a step back,” Shivraj recalled with pride. This resilience was a testament to Deepak’s dedication and spirit, qualities that had earned him respect both at home and in his military unit.
Deepak’s background is emblematic of many young men from rural India who see the armed forces as a path to a better future. He studied at the government inter-college in his village, where opportunities were limited. According to his cousin, Surendra Singh, Deepak grew up in an environment with few resources. “His school did not have any sports or games to help him prepare for the Armed Forces, but he was resilient and got through. Everyone envied him because employment prospects here were so bad, but he could make it amid all odds,” Surendra said. Deepak’s story is one of determination against the backdrop of limited opportunities.
After Deepak’s untimely death, his body was brought back to Kharhi village on Monday morning. Following traditional prayers, he was cremated with full military honors. The local police from Champawat and authorities in Jammu are continuing their investigations to ascertain the exact circumstances of the shooting. The Army has also issued a statement confirming it is conducting a thorough inquiry.
The incident has sparked reactions from various corners, including political leaders and public representatives. The Uttarakhand Congress unit has been vocal in its criticism of the Agnipath scheme following this tragedy. Ganesh Godiyal, the state Congress chief, condemned the scheme as “immature and poorly structured,” blaming it for putting young lives at risk. He said, “How long will the central government continue experimenting with the lives of young people? This is not just a loss for one family but for the entire state, and the direct responsibility lies with the central government’s immature and poorly structured Agnipath scheme.”
Godiyal highlighted serious concerns regarding the uncertainties faced by Agniveers, especially the absence of pension and social security benefits, which he described as making the scheme “a dangerous experiment.” He expressed deep worry over the mental pressure on these young recruits, noting that Uttarakhand’s youth are losing their lives on the borders, only to be handed a “service terminated