Alappuzha: Anju will hold her husband Varun Kumar’s right hand soon, almost after six months. But, it wouldn’t be the same as before. Anju is proud holding Varun’s prosthetic hand that he got after sacrificing his hand for the country. S Varunkumar (32), a native of Punnapra, Alappuzha, was gravely injured in Pakistan’s attack at Jammu’s Udhampur Air Force station during Operation Sindoor.

The news was kept a secret until now due to security reasons. On the eve of Independence Day, President’s Vayu Sena medal was announced for Varun’s incredible sacrifice for his country. Varun, who was an assistant at the station medicare centre in Udhampur Air Force station was injured in the air raid early morning on May 10.

His wife, a Kannur Pilathara native Anju, and their son Vihan were staying at their quarters then. They were immediately sent home by the army. Anju then returned to Udhampur on May 24 again to meet Varun at the hospital. “I was devastated. But, Varun had soon adjusted to everything. After staying in the hospital for 35 days, I came back to Kerala with our son and Varun’s brother Vivek,” says Anju.

Varun was asked to reach the Artificial Limb Centre in Pune on August 2. He got the prosthetic hand a week ago. Some parts of the shell that had pierced Varun’s body are still in his body. Meanwhile, Anju and Vihan will reach Udhampur today. This would be the first time that Anju and Vihan would be meeting Varun after getting the prosthetic hand. Air Force authorities stated that Varun would soon be reinstated as he has completed his treatment. Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh had visited Varun at the Artificial Limb Centre.