The army on Saturday said an Agniveer who died in Jammu on October 11 was denied a military funeral because his wound was self-inflicted, rebuffing growing criticism of its allegedly shabby treatment of the soldier recruited under the controversial scheme.

The Jammu-based White Corps said in a statement that Agniveer Amritpal Singh, 19, had died on sentry duty in the Rajouri sector “due to a self-inflicted gunshot injury”.

“A court of inquiry to ascertain more details is in progress,” the defence spokesman said.

“The mortal remains of the deceased, accompanied by one junior commissioned officer and four other ranks, were transported in a civil ambulance hired by the unit of the Agniveer. Accompanying army personnel also attended the last rites."

The spokesman said that since the cause of death was a self-inflicted injury, “no guard of honour or military funeral was provided, in accordance with the existing policy”.

The soldier was from Punjab, where his family told reporters that he was in good spirits before his death. The family has sought a probe into his death.

Former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal said she was shocked to learn that Amritpal, “who was martyred in the line of duty in Poonch in J&K was cremated without an Army guard of honour”.

“Even his body was brought to his native village in Mansa in a private ambulance by his family! It is learnt that this happened because Amritpal was an #Agniveer,” she posted on X.

“We must accord due respect to ALL our soldiers. Request Defence minister @rajnathsingh to issue directions to accord military honours to all martyred soldiers.”

The Agniveer scheme, introduced in 2022, allows youths to join the armed forces for only four years without pension or gratuity. Many veterans have alleged the scheme would undermine morale and professionalism in the military.

Amritpal is the first Agniveer to die in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir.

Social activist Mayank Goyal said Amritpal was recruited to the army in December 2022.

“This is sad that his body was brought to the village by his family in a private ambulance not in army vehicle,” he posted on X.

“No army unit was present at his cremation & no Army guard of honor was provided to him. On request of villagers the local Police accorded a guard of honor for our brave young man.”