A pall of gloom descended over the native places of two soldiers in West Bengal's Birbhum and Alipurduar districts on Wednesday as the news of their killing during the violent face-off with the Chinese troops in Ladakh poured in.
The mother of one of the fallen soldiers demanded a befitting reply to the Chinese.
According to sources, Army jawan Rajesh Oraon's family in Mohammad Bazar were told late Tuesday night that he was severely injured during the face-off. The news of Rajesh's death was conveyed later through another call from the Army Headquarters.
After reports said another Army jawan Bipul Roy from Alipurduar's district was also killed during the clash, officials from the district administration reached Bipul's Bhatipara residence to speak to his family members.
Rajesh's family and villagers mourned the untimely demise of the braveheart.
"He called me about a week back for barely a minute. He asked about everyone's well-being and asked me to stay safe. He told me he won't be able to connect for the next few weeks as he was to climb up further to man the borders," said Shakuntala Oraon, his sister, while breaking down in tears.
Rajesh's mother Mamata Oraon demanded justice for her son. "We want the Indian Army to give them a befitting reply. I want justice for my son. We want revenge," said the bereaved mother.
Meanwhile, district officials arrived at Rajesh's neighbourhood and got the approach road to their house cleared. Sources said the body was likely to arrive in the village on Wednesday night.
( With inputs from IANS )