Opposition calls for scrapping of Agnipath scheme after Agniveer dies from 'self-inflicted injury'

A political controversy has erupted over the absence of a military guard of honor at Agniveer Amritpal Singh's funeral who was cremated in his native village in Punjab on October 13.

Condemning the Centre, opposition parties, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal demanded immediate scrapping of the Agnipath Scheme and regularisation of services of all soldiers recruited under the scheme till date.

However, the Army in a statement said that they did not provide a guard of honor or military funeral for Agniveer Amritpal Singh due to his self-inflicted injury, in accordance with their existing policy.

19-year-old Singh had served with his unit, the 10th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles in the Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir when he reportedly died from a gunshot wound to the head on October 10.