As per the police sources, an army officer has been found dead in Shopian district of South Kashmir, under unknown circumstances today.
The army officer was identified as Lieutenant Umar Fayyaz, a resident of Kulgam. Umar Fayyaz, who had joined the Army five months ago, was found with five bullet wounds in Hermain area of the district, reported the police officials. Police said the officer had gone to Shopian to attend the marriage function of a relative.
Fayaz was missing since Tuesday night and may have been abducted by militants but the family did not inform the authorities. “They must have thought he would be released,” said the police sources.
The Indian Army, calling it a cruel act, in a statement said, “it salutes the braveheart and stands by the bereaved family in this hour of tragedy”. The army said it was committed “to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act of terror to justice”.
“Some unidentified terrorists” abducted and killed the officer, who was in his native place on leave to attend a wedding in the family, said the army.
Lt. Fayaz was commissioned on 10th December 2016 from the National Defence Academy and was set to head for the Young Officers Course in September this year. The young officer was presently serving in Akhnoor district. The army added that, “He was part of the Hockey Team of NDA, excellent volleyball player. He was physically tough and the troops enjoyed being with him.”
Further investigation into the case is on. An army official said they were examining the circumstances in which the officer was found dead.
Meanwhile, former chief minister Omar Abdullah mourned the death of the Army officer. “Very sad and alarming. Condolences to the family. May Lieutenant Umar Fayaz’s soul rest in peace”, he said.
The killing of the army officer comes just a few days after militants killed five policemen and two bank guards in an attack on a cash van in Phambai area of Kulgam. The five Jammu and Kashmir policemen and the two guards killed in the attack were locals.
SUPRAJA
