Ludhiana, Aug. 10 -- Lance naik Pritpal Singh, who along with another soldier lost his life in an overnight gunfight with terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, was eagerly awaited by family in Manupur village near Samrala as this Diwali would have marked his first home visit after his marriage just four months ago, his kin said. But the 27-year-old is set to return wrapped in the Tricolour, his uncle Subedar Major Harbans Singh said.

He said the heartbreaking news came through a call from the army. Pritpal was part of a special operation to track down terrorists when an encounter took place. During the mission, he and his team neutralised one terrorist, but others retaliated with a hand grenade and heavy gunfire. Bullets str...