Umar Fayaz
http://www.thehindu.com/news/nation...illed-in-shopian-district/article18418457.ece
Body of Lt. Ummer Fayyaz, who went to attend a wedding at Batapura area, was found with bullet wounds in Hermain area of Shopian district.
Militants killed an unarmed Army officer on leave after kidnapping him in south Kashmir's volatile Shopian district, the Army said on Wednesday.
"In a dastardly act, some terrorists on Tuesday abducted and killed a young unarmed officer who had come on leave to his native place in Kulgam district," said a Srinagar based Army spokesman.
He identified the deceased officer as Lt. Ummer Fayyaz and was currently posted at Akhnoor in Jammu region. The officer had gone to attend the wedding of the daughter of his maternal uncle at Batapura area.
Preliminary reports suggest the officer was abducted around 10 p.m on Tuesday near Behibagh, Shopian. "The bullet ridden body was spotted in Harmein area in the morning," said Army sources.
Born in 1994, the deceased joined the Army on December 10, 2016 and belonged to 2 Rajput Rifles. An ex-National Defence Academy member, Lt. Ummer Fayyaz was known for skills in hockey and basketball. Son of a farmer, who owns an orchard in south Kashmir, the deceased was likely to attend the Young Officers Training course in September this year.
"The Army commits to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act to justice," said the Army spokesman.
Role model
Stating that the young officer was a “role model,” Defence Minister Arun Jaitley called his abduction and killing a “dastardly act of cowardice.”
“Lt. Ummer Fayaz of 2 RAJRIF was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley,” he said in a tweet.
Watershed moment
Lt. Gen Abhay Krishna, Army Commander South Western Command and Colonel Commandant of Rajputana Rifles in a condolence letter condemned the “cowardice and barbaric act of terrorism.”
Stating that the complete Army fraternity stands shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved family at this tragic hour, Lt Gen Krishna said, “I also assure the family that perpetrators of this heinous crime and dastardly act will not be spared.
“This marks a watershed moment in the Kashmir valley and people of Kashmir will decisively turn the tide against terrorism,” he said in the letter.
Army personnel paying tribute to the slain army officer Lt. Ummer Fayyaz during his funeral at his native village Sudsona in Kulgam district on Wednesday. Fayyaz was kidnapped and killed by suspected militants in Shopian district where he was attending a marriage ceremony of some relative. PTI Photo
Inconsolable mother of the slain army officer Lt. Ummer Fayaz during his funeral at his native village Sudsona in Kulgam district on Wednesday. Fayyaz was kidnapped and killed by suspected militants in Shopian district where he was attending a marriage ceremony of some relative. PTI Photo
An Army officer, identified as Ummer Fayaz was reportedly shot dead by millitants late Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district . The bullet riddled body of the 23-year-old lieutenant rank Army officer was found early wednesday. According to Army officials, it had been just six months since he joined services. The young officer was in Shopian to attend his cousins wedding. The militants had barged into the houses of at least five police officers in Kashmir, asking them to quit the force or face consequences.
Jammu and kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti expressed condolence on the killing of Lt Ummer Fayaz. (Source: Express Photo)
The funeral was completed at around 1 pm. Approx 400 civilians, 250 army persons and CO attended the burial. Guard of honour was given and three nominated persons fired three rounds each as gun salute. A total of 12 wreaths were laid on behalf of COAS, Army Commander, Corps Commander, GOCs & other Commanders. From civil administration side, SSP Kulgam and one Tehsildar were present, said a local commander. (Source: Express photo)
Condemning the attack, Defence minister Arun Jaitley termed the killing of the Army officer as a “a dastardly act of cowardice”. "This young officer from J&K was a role model,” he said. (Source: Express Photo)
Reiterating the Centre’s commitment to eliminate “terrorism” from the Valley, Jaitley said Fayaz’s sacrifice will continue to inspire the youth. “Lt. Ummer Fayaz of 2RAJRIF was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates nation’s commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley. We share the grief of family of Lt. Ummer Fayaz & stand in solidarity. Lt. Ummer Fayaz will continue to inspire youth from the Valley,” Jaitley tweeted. (Source: Express Photo)
Fayaz, an ex-National Defence Academy (NDA) cadet, was scheduled to go for a ‘Young Officers Course’ in September. At NDA, he was part of the hockey team. The officer’s father is a farmer and has a small-time apple business. (Source: Express Photo)
