The village youth were bristling in anger when Indian Army chief General Bikram Singh drove down the make-shift road of otherwise neglected village to meet Hemraj's wife Dharmvati and gave her a patient hearing.
"I would like to retaliate with an iron hand, but my hands are tied," General Singh said in an emotionally-charged speech.
The army chief said: "I have come here to express solidarity with martyr's family. All their demands will be met according to the rulebooks of the Army. We will stand by the family."
"We will do everything possible for the family, including providing education for the children at the army school. The village youth want to join the army. We would look into their demands and try to induct them into the Rajputana Rifles regiment," he added.
Long after he had left the place after a brief interaction with Hemraj's family, villagers were seen echoing the General's words.
"We want to give a befitting reply to Pakistan. We want to avenge our brother's brutal killing. A brick for a brick and a head for a head is our manner," Sherpal, also a Thakur by caste.
"He may be no more, but his sacrifice will change the lives of Shernagar," Om Pal told rediff.com.Indian-American kills father, arrested
Chitrangada Singh's HOTTEST Avatars
Army chief to visit Lance Naik Sudhakar's family on Friday
Gen Bikram Singh's comments'very hostile': Hina Rabbani
Army chief to visit Hemraj's family today