Bharatiya Janata Party leaders Arun Govil and Sanjeev Balyan paid a visit to the home of Indian Army soldier Rinkil Balyan, who lost his life in a road accident in Jammu and Kashmir’s Doda district. Speaking to ANI on Monday, Sanjeev Balyan said the government would meet any requests made by the bereaved family, adding that families of martyrs rarely ask for anything. He described Rinkil as being like a younger brother to him.

The visit followed a tragic incident on January 22, when an Army vehicle in Doda district met with an accident, killing 10 Army personnel. Rinkil Balyan’s last rites were held on January 24 at his native Bhatel village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district. A large number of villagers and family members gathered to pay their final respects as he was cremated with full military honours.

Rinkil’s brother, Rishabh Balyan, who also serves in the Indian Army, told ANI that Rinkil is survived by two young children. He said the family received the news on the evening of January 22 and was informed that the accident occurred while Rinkil was returning from an operation. Due to snow-covered roads, the vehicle lost control and fell into a valley. Rishabh added that Rinkil’s mortal remains were brought to Hapur the previous day and that Rinkil’s young son took part in the last rites along with him.

A relative, Sandeep Balyan, said the family has a long tradition of serving the armed forces, noting that Rinkil’s father was also in the Army and that many people from the village serve in the Army, Uttar Pradesh Police, and CRPF. He said the entire village was engulfed in grief upon hearing the news. According to the White Knight Corps, the Army vehicle was carrying troops for an operation when it skidded off the road due to difficult terrain and bad weather conditions in the Doda area, resulting in multiple casualties. The injured were evacuated for medical treatment.