The mortal remains of Aditya Sharma, a sailor from Hamirpur district who was among three Indian crew members killed in a missile attack on a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, were consigned to flames at the cremation ground in Hadeta Khud near his native Bhallu village (Simlan-da-Gran) in the Galore area on Thursday.
Aditya lost his life when the merchant ship MT Stebello came under a missile strike while operating off the coast of Oman in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack, reportedly linked to military action in the region, claimed the lives of three Indian sailors — Aditya Sharma, Shivanand Chaurasia and Patnala Suresh.
A pall of gloom descended over Bhallu village as the body of the deceased sailor reached his home. Hundreds of villagers, relatives and well-wishers gathered to pay their last respects to the young sailor, who was the only child of his parents, Ramesh Sharma and Sushma Sharma.
Heart-rending scenes were witnessed during the final rites. Aditya’s mother, Sushma Sharma, was inconsolable, while his grandmother and other family members bid him a tearful farewell. His cousin sister, who lives in the neighbourhood, struggled to hold back tears as she recalled, “Bhai 24 May ko aane wala tha, lekin is tarah aayega socha na tha” (My brother was expected to return home on May 24, but we never imagined he would come back like this).
Overcome with grief, Aditya’s father, Ramesh Sharma, said he had lost everything. “Life has become meaningless,” he remarked briefly, adding that he would speak further only after immersing his son’s ashes.
Deputy Commissioner Gandharva Rathore attended the cremation and conveyed the condolences of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to the bereaved family. She assured them that the state government would extend every possible assistance during this difficult time. “The Chief Minister has directed the administration to provide all necessary support to the grieving family,” she said.
Superintendent of Police Balbir Thakur, Nadaun SDM Nishant Sharma, former MLA Vijay Agnihotri and several other dignitaries were also present at the cremation ground to pay their respects.
