Srinagar: The bullet-ridden body of a Territorial Army jawan, who was abducted by militants while on vacation, was found near his home in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning.
The jawan was identified as Irfan Dar, a resident of Senzil village of Shopian. He had been on leave for 10 days and was visiting home.
As the casket carrying the body of 23-year-old Dar was taken for burial, his village descended into deep shock and anger.
While locals turned up in good numbers for the funeral service, politician gave it a miss.
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and opposition leader Omar Abdullah took to Twitter to express condolences, but none of them or their partymen turned up to sympathise with Dar's family.
Strongly condemn the brutal killing of Irfan Ahmed ,a brave Territorial Army soldier at Shopian. Such heinous acts will not weaken our resolve to establish peace and normalcy in the valley.— Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) November 25, 2017
The murder of young Irfan Dar is a very tragic & reprehensible act. My unqualified condemnation & heartfelt condolences to his family. https://t.co/fzwlInBjtg— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 25, 2017
Mufti was only few kilometres away from Dar's village, holding a day-long public durbar in Kulgam.
A soldier of Territorial Army posted in the Gurez area, Dar's bullet-riddled body was recovered from an orchard near Wothmula Nad village of Shopian district, barely 3 to 4 km away from his home. He had come 10 days ago on a vacation to spend time with his family and was to report back to his unit in Gurez on Sunday.
Family members told CNN-News18 that he received a call last night from someone and he immediately went out. "His phone was working till 11 pm but after that it was turned off. Early in the morning we came to know his body was lying near an orchard," said Nissar Ahmad, a relative.
Shopian SP Sriram Ambarkar blamed militants for the killings. He said militants killed Dar to show their presence in the area. "He was perhaps kidnapped by militants. And then shot. Our investigations have started,” he said.
Dar's killing is not a first time that when soldiers on vacation have been targeted. Young army lieutenant Umar Fayyaz and a BSF jawan were killed by suspected militants early this year. Both were home on leave. Police even claimed to have killed their assassins.
The Army accorded Dar a formal funeral with soldier offering gun salutes on Dar’s grave. Senior police and Army officers were also present and placed floral wreaths.
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