In a heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, seven-year-old Kabir remains unaware of the harsh reality that his father will never return and the young boy relentlessly sends voice messages to Colonel Manpreet Singh’s number pleading with him to come back.
“Papa bus ek baar aa jao, phir mission pe chale jana (Papa, please come back once, and then you can resume your duties).” Some of these heartfelt messages are whispered in secrecy to avoid his mother’s watchful gaze, as Kabir implores his father to make a video call.

During a joint operation on September 13, last year, Colonel Singh and other soldiers engaged in a fierce gun battle with terrorists in the forests surrounding Gadool village. This was Colonel Singh’s final act of valor. Colonel Singh, Major Aashish Dhonchak, Deputy Superintendent Humanyun Bhat of the J-K Police, Sepoy Pardeep Singh, and Major Aashish Dhonchak bravely gave their lives, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew and loved them.
The absence of Colonel Singh weighs heavy on his family members, particularly his wife Jagmeet, who vividly recalls the time when he planted two Chinar trees and affectionately named them after their children — Kabir and Vani.

“He had said that we will return after 10 years to see these trees again. But now…,” said Jagmeet, her trailing off voice encapsulating the uncertainty and sorrow that has befallen the family.

Jagmeet shared with PTI over phone from Mohali in Punjab how deeply passionate Colonel Singh was about improving the lives of people in Kashmir and also spoke about the difficulties in making her own children understand that he won’t return.

“He actually was a healing touch to the people and the 19 RR headquarters had become the most people-friendly place where the focus was on building the youth and reasoning out with them about their better future,” she said in a choked voice.