Amritsar youth fighting for Russian army killed on Ukraine battlefield

AMRITSAR: Tejpal Singh aspired to join either Army or police in India. Instead, the 30-year-old from Amritsar unexpectedly found himself enlisting in Russian army, ultimately losing his life on the battlefield in Ukraine. His wife Parminder Kaur said Tuesday he had travelled to Russia on January 12 on a tourist visa. At least two other Indian men have been killed on the Ukrainian front lines this year – Hemil Ashvinbhai Mangukiya, 23, from Surat and 31-year-old Mohammad Asfan from Hyderabad. In a statement late Tuesday, govt said two Indian nationals recruited recently by Russian army had died in the conflict. MEA and Indian embassy in Moscow have taken up the matter with Russian ambassador Denis Alipov in Delhi and with Russian authorities in Moscow for early release and return of Indian nationals with Russian army. India also demanded a “verified stop” to further recruitment of Indian nationals by Russian army. Tejpal decided to join Russian army 3 days into his trip Just three days into his trip, Tejpal had decided to join Russian army, undergoing both theoretical and practical training. “He knew several people in Haryana and Punjab who had joined Russian army, which influenced his decision,” Parminder said.During his two-week theoretical training, Tejpal maintained daily contact with his wife. Once his practical arms training began, he frequently shared photographs of his rigorous regimen.His last communication with Parminder was on March 3, when he informed her of his deployment to Tokmak, a city in south-central Ukraine, and mentioned that contact would be limited as they had to surrender their mobile phones upon arrival.Concerned by the lack of communication, Parminder reached out to his acquaintances in Gurdaspur. On June 8, she sent a copy of Tejpal’s passport and her contact details to the Russian office. The next day, she received the devastating news that Tejpal had died in March. Tejpal is survived by his elderly parents, his wife, and two children. Tejpal’s mother Sarabjit Kaur said his younger brother Gagandeep Singh had died of a heart attack in 2019. The responsibility of supporting the family now falls on his elderly father, who runs a small shop from their home.Tejpal’s family has appealed to govt for assistance in repatriating his mortal remains. They have also requested support for the education and medical needs of the family and employment opportunities for his wife.