At a time when the nation reels from the shock of the Pahalgam terror attack, in which innocent tourists were targeted based on their religion, one man stood tall against hate and division — Jhantu Ali Sheikh, a Muslim soldier from Bengal who laid down his life defending the country he so deeply believed in.
A member of the elite 6 Parachute Regiment of the Indian Army, Jhantu was martyred in an encounter with terrorists in Kashmir’s Basantgarh area of Udhampur district on Thursday morning, just hours after the Valley erupted in anger following the heinous Pahalgam attack.
The initial reports did not reveal the identity of the soldier. Later, the Army’s White Knight Corps confirmed the heartbreaking news: Jhantu Ali Sheikh had been shot in action and died on the spot, fighting with unwavering courage.
Born and raised in Patharghata village in the Tehatta block of Nadia district, Jhantu was more than a soldier — he was a symbol of unity, bravery and the true spirit of India.
At just 36 years old, he leaves behind a grieving family: his wife, a son and a daughter. The family, who lived with him in Agra, received the devastating news on Thursday afternoon. Back home in Nadia, the entire village was plunged into mourning.
The Army praised Jhantu’s valour, stating, “His steadfastness in duty and the courage with which he faced the enemy will be remembered forever.”
The gunfight that took his life is part of ongoing combing operations in the Dudhu-Basantgarh region following Wednesday’s attack.
At a time when Bengal’s political narrative is increasingly focused on the Pahalgam massacre and the religious identities of its victims, many politicians appear to be aligning themselves with families from a particular community — seemingly in hopes of gaining religiously driven electoral advantage.
Amid this, only TMC MLA Tapas Saha was seen visiting the home of Jhantu, the brave soldier who laid down his life fighting the terror group behind the attack. No other political representatives were seen at his home to pay tribute or offer condolences, highlighting a concerning absence of bipartisan respect for his sacrifice.
The news of the soldier’s death reached his home in Patharghata, plunging the entire family into deep sorrow. As grief spread, all of Nadia, along with the bereaved family, now awaits the return of the martyred jawan’s body. The entire village is struggling to come to terms with the loss of a Bengali soldier who died in a gunfight with militants in Kashmir.
The jawan’s elderly parents, overwhelmed by grief, are unable to speak. Neighbours shared that the couple live alone in their house in Patharghata. They have three sons — Jhantu, the youngest, who was martyred. His two elder brothers live in Agra, one of whom also serves in the Indian Army.
Sameerul Sheikh, a close friend and neighbour of the fallen soldier, said, “Jhantu was not just a good friend, but also a wonderful person, well-loved in the area. I spoke to him on the phone just a few days ago. He got a job while still studying and was inspired by his elder brother to join the army. We demand the strictest punishment for those militants responsible for his death.”
In the wake of the tragedy, Tehatta’s Trinamool MLA Tapas Saha visited the grieving family. While offering his condolences, he also criticised the BJP, saying, “Muslim youths are laying down their lives for the nation, yet BJP leaders continue to spread hatred against their community.”
Krishnanagar MP Mahua Moitra was among the first to publicly honour Jhantu’s sacrifice. In a social media post, she wrote: “Jhantu Ali Sheikh, a brave Bengali soldier from Patharghata in Tehatta block of Nadia, was martyred while fighting Pakistani militants in Kashmir. May he live forever.”
Jhantu’s death is a powerful counterpoint to the divisive hate witnessed in the Pahalgam attack. In an incident where terrorists asked victims to identify themselves by their religion, leading to the deaths of 26 innocent tourists, Jhantu’s martyrdom stands as a testament to the shared blood and tears that bind this country together.
Three civilians from Bengal — Bitan Adhikari, Sameer Guha, and Manish Mishra — were also among those who lost their lives in the Pahalgam attack. Their families are mourning just like Jhantu’s.
“Can one measure grief in religion? Are the tears of a martyr’s wife any different from the tears of a victim’s mother? Is it even possible to draw such lines?” asked Sandip Goswami, one of Jhantu’s neighbours.
In the silence that follows gunfire, Jhantu Ali Sheikh’s name echoes — not just as a soldier, but as a reminder: India’s strength lies not in what divides us, but in what we stand for — together.
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