Captain Kumar, who was just 22-year-old, was an elite Para Commando with the 10 Para Special Forces. He is a Jat from Jind district in Haryana and a degree holder from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi. He died fighting terrorists on Sunday in Pampore in Kashmir valley. An army operation to counter terrorists hiding in a government building in Pampore was on, and Captain Kumar was one of the 4 security personnel who died during the operation.

“Pawan Kumar was a young and a dynamic officer, He was a true commander,” said Lt. Gen. S.K. Dua, General Officer Commanding of 15 Corps. As the Jat community continues to stir up a storm demanding reservation, here is a son from their land who proved one doesn’t need reservation to serve the country.

Pavan Kumar’s father, Rajbir Singh, showed great strength of spirit when he heard about his son’s death. “I had one child, I gave him to the Army, to the nation. No father can be prouder,” he said.

Nothing could be more ironical. As the two major agitations – the JNU controversy and the Jat protests continue to tear democracy apart, Pavan Kumar who belonged to both these communities and laid down his life for the country.

His last ever Facebook post was:

“Kisiko reservation chahiye toh kisi ko azadi bhai. Humein kutch nahin chahiye bhai. bas apni razai.” [Someone wants reservation, someone wants freedom. I want nothing except my blanket (Tricolor Flag)]

Pavan’s father Rajbir Singh, said the wait is agonizing: “The cremation will take place in our village Badhana, 18 km from Jind. We have been told the body will arrive at 10.30 am in a helicopter because there are roadblocks across the state.” The Army too appealed to the “people of Haryana” to give a “befitting farewell to this brave son of their soil”.