Mortal remains of Major Dhonchak reach Panipat; Mohali colonel’s family awaits his body

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CHANDIGARH: The mortal remains of Major Ashish Dhonchak, who was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag, reached Haryana’s Panipat where the last rites will be held on Friday.

The mortal remains of Colonel Manpreet Singh, who was also killed in the gunfight, have been brought here and are expected to reach his home in Mullanpur in Mohali district shortly, sources said.

Major Dhonchak had planned to shift to a new house in Panipat in October. The family had been living in a rented accommodation. The Major’s mortal remains reached his Panipat home in an Army vehicle.

Scores of people turned up on Friday at the residence of Dhonchak.

His family members were inconsolable as the body reached his Panipat home.

The body is being taken to the cremation ground in an army vehicle and the last rites will be conducted shortly.

At Colonel Manpreet Singh’s house in Mullanpur, there was a steady stream of mourners. The families of the Army officer were inconsolable.

His wailing mother was seen waiting at the doorstep for her son’s mortal remains.

A third-generation soldier, Singh leaves behind his mother, wife, a two-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.

Dhonchak’s family includes his wife, a two-year-old daughter and three sisters.