CHANDIGARH: Naik Hari Singh , a jawan from Rewari district of Haryana who was killed in a military operation on Monday near Pulwama, had received an appreciation letter from his commanding officer just two months ago for arresting two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists. He had recently been promoted to the rank of Naik.Twenty-eight-year-old Hari Singh, deployed with 55 Rastriya Rifles, was among four military personnel, including an Army Major, who were killed on Monday morning in an encounter with Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists at Pinglena in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir. In that encounter, the security forces reportedly killed the mastermind behind Pulwama terrorist attack in which 44 CRPF personal were killed.A native of Rajgarh village in Rewari district, Hari is survived by his mother Pista Devi, wife Radha Devi, and one-year-old son Laksha Chauhan . His three sisters are married.He had joined the Army in 2011 and was inducted in the 20th battalion of Army's Grenadier regiment. According to villagers, his father Agdi Singh, who passed away eight years ago, too worked in the army. Hari was only son and sole breadwinner of the family.TOI also got access, from his family, to a letter of appreciation written by Hari's commanding officer (CO) to Hari in December 2018 for displaying "unparalleled bravery and professionalism" in a military operation carried on November 13, 2018. In that operation, two LeT terrorists were arrested by the security forces"You made the entire unit proud. Your action would inspire the soldiers of all ranks of our regiment," goes the December 2018 appreciation letter written by Colonel R B Alavekar, the CO of Hari's unit.A large number of people in Hari's native village are in the Indian Army, according to sources. He was married two years ago and was blessed with a baby boy one year ago. Hari had visited his village in December last year and had returned to his duty on December 28 after spending almost a month with the family.The mortal remains of the soldier are expected to reach his home late on Monday evening and the cremation with the military honours will take place on Tuesday.

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