DEHRADUN/ALMORA: The mortal remains of 19 Kumaon Regiment soldier Lance Naik Chandrashekhar Harbola, found buried in snow in Siachen by the Indian Army 38 years after his death, reached his home in Haldwani on Wednesday, where he was laid to rest. His wife Shanti Devi (64), who received a call regarding the discovery on Sunday, said this finally provided her with the “much-needed closure” her family had been waiting for.
On 29 May, 1984, 28-year-old Harbola, along with 17 others in his battalion, perished due to an avalanche during a military operation called ‘Operation Meghdoot’. Authorities were able to recover 13 bodies while the whereabouts of five others, including Harbola, remained unknown.
“ I struggled to raise our girls, who were two and four when he died, all on my own. Till now, I yearned to see him once more. I am sad, but I’m also very proud of my husband’s sacrifice for India,” Shanti said.
The couple’s children, now 40-year-old Babita Gururani and 42-year-old Kavita Pandey, said it was heartening to see so many people gather for their father’s cremation. “I was two when my father went missing. As toddlers, we would ask our mother where he was. She would tell us that he was in the Army and would return soon. We learnt the truth when we grew up. Now, I finally get to see him properly for the first time,” said Babita.
Harbola’s body was brought home with full military honours. As soon as the body reached home, Shanti Devi, Babita and Kavita hugged the coffin as they cried inconsolably, bidding a final goodbye after all these years. CM Pushkar Singh Dhami was in attendance, as were other dignitaries. Harbola’s daughters lit the fire to his funeral pyre.
Meanwhile, the recovery of Harbola’s body has given hope for the families of two other soldiers who went missing with him during the patrolling mission in Siachen.
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