Jaitley Condemns Murder Of Army Officer, Defense Asserts Locals Aiding Terrorists

He was abducted by terrorists yesterday following which he was shot dead and his body was disposed.

Updated on: 10 May 2017 3:54 pm

A bullet riddled body of a 22-year-old Army lieutenant was found in Hernain chowk of shopian, around 60 km South of Srinagar, the police said. The officer has been identified as Umar fayaz parry of kulgam.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley called the abduction and murder of Fayaz a dastardly act of cowardice, adding that the officer's sacrifice reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from Kashmir Valley

Lieutenant Umar Fayaz from RAJRIF unit in Akhnoor had gone to attend the wedding of his uncle's daughter at Batapura (Near Behibagh) on Tuesday, from where he was reportedly abducted by terrorists at around 2200 hrs and today morning his bullet riddled body was found at Harmen, said the Army in a statement.

This was for the first time that he had taken leave after joining the Army, a senior official said. He was supposed to have returned to his unit in the Akhnoor area of Jammu on May 25

The autopsy report showed marks on his body, indicating that he had resisted the suspected militants who had abducted him.

He was fired at from a close range, and the bullets had hit his head and stomach or chest region.

Locals said two masked men entered the house at 8 last night. The men asked Lt Fayaz, who was unarmed, to accompany them, and warned the family not to inform the police.

The killing caused anger among locals who demanded that the men responsible be identified and punished.

Major General B S Raju, the General Officer in Command of the Victor Force, responsible for counter-terrorism in South Kashmir, has directed all its units in and around the area to launch a manhunt for the killers.

Defense experts have asserted that the entire development reeked of locals being involved with untoward elements in the Valley.

Fayaz was lieutenant in the Indian army and was commissioned six months ago. He was posted in Akhnoor area of jammu. Police say that he has done NDA recently.

He will be cremated with full honours in Sursun in Pulwama, Jammu and Kashmir.

"Young and full of life, the officer was just commissioned in December," an NDTV report has quoted army sources as saying.

According to the report, an advisory was put up by the state police for the personnel not to visit ancestral homes, especially in south Kashmir areas.

Militant activities in south Kashmir have augmented with reports of local youth and students supporting militants and resisting the armed forces, followed by consistent clashes between the two resulting in loss of many lives.

Defence expert Shivali Deshpande told ANI, "The situation indicates that locals are supporting militants, this is very alarming .The separatists are fulfilling their aims through the locals of Kashmir. Somehow, the locals and the militants came to know that the young Lieutenant was coming in for a wedding and they planned accordingly."

Deshpande further suggested the Indian Army should use restraint and maintain caution while attending local functions.

"Some where we are lacking in connecting with people. Prime Minister Modi needs to reach out to the people of Kashmir. This is the need of hour," she added.

(With inputs from agencies)