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The story of Malkhan Singh, an Indian Air Force (IAF) soldier who disappeared 56 years ago, has finally found a poignant closure. On February 7, 1968, a tragic incident unfolded when an Antonov-12 aircraft carrying 102 people, including Malkhan, vanished while en route from Chandigarh to Leh. The aircraft was later discovered crashed in the snow-capped mountains of Himachal Pradesh's Rohtang Pass, leaving behind a legacy of grief and unanswered questions for the families of the victims.
The news of Malkhan's mortal remains being recovered after all these years brought a wave of mixed emotions to his family in Fatehpur village, Saharanpur district of Uttar Pradesh. Upon receiving the news from Indian Army officials, the family was initially stunned into silence, followed by a surge of joy tinged with profound sadness. The wait of 56 years had finally ended, but the pain of losing their loved one at such a young age was still palpable.
Malkhan's youngest brother, Isham Pal, now 65, shared the emotional toll his disappearance had taken on the family. His wife, who was pregnant at the time of the crash, held onto the hope of his return, believing he was alive somewhere. Sadly, she passed away in 2000, carrying this hope with her to the end. The family lamented that if the remains had been found even 25 years earlier, it would have brought closure to his wife and eased her suffering.
The article paints a picture of how the disappearance cast a long shadow over the family, impacting every aspect of their lives. Malkhan's wife was eventually married off to his brother, Chandrapal Singh, and his son, Ram Prasad, who grew up knowing only stories of his father, also passed away in 2010. It's a story of resilience in the face of uncertainty, but also a reminder of the enduring pain of loss.
The story culminates in the final journey of Malkhan's remains back to his village, where he was cremated in a ceremony attended by hundreds of mourners. His grandchildren, who only knew him through stories, participated in the final rites, carrying the torch of remembrance for a man who had been a part of their lives even though they had never met him. It's a poignant reminder that even after years, the bonds of family and the longing for closure can endure.
Source: Malkhan Singh: 56 Years Later: IAF Soldier Malkhan Singh's Mortal Remains Returned to Family