In a heart-wrenching incident, Kulwant Panna, a 35-year-old jawan of the Border Security Force (BSF), tragically lost his life on May 27 in a road accident, just days after returning home from active deployment in Operation Sindoor.
Hailing from Bartoli village in Chhattisgarh’s Jashpur district, Panna was on his scooter en route to visit his wife at her parental home in Duldula when the accident occurred near Ginabahar, within the Kunkuri police station’s jurisdiction. Eyewitness accounts from local residents suggest that he lost control of his vehicle, resulting in a catastrophic collision with a culvert pillar. The impact left him with severe injuries, primarily to his head and leg.
Immediate efforts to save him were made by local villagers and his brothers, Jonic and Asit Panna, who transported him to the Kunkuri Government Hospital. However, due to the critical nature of his condition, he was subsequently moved to Holy Cross Hospital, where he tragically succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
Panna was a dedicated member of the 35th Battalion of the BSF, stationed in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Prior to this incident, he had participated in Operation Sindoor, a high-priority mission launched in response to increased tensions along the India-Pakistan border, which followed a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
The news of his untimely death has left a profound impact on his home village as well as the broader security forces community. Fellow BSF personnel who were also on leave gathered at the hospital to pay their last respects, highlighting the camaraderie and deep sense of loss shared among them.
In response to the incident, local police have initiated a case of unnatural death, with an investigation currently underway, as confirmed by Additional Superintendent of Police Anil Kumar Soni.
Panna was laid to rest in Bartoli, where he was given full military honors, a testament to his service and dedication. He is remembered fondly by those who knew him for his humble disposition and unwavering commitment to his duty. His passing has left a significant void, and he is mourned deeply by his family, comrades, and the community at large.
