Army Soldier Dar Killed on Vacation in Kashmir, Huge Turn Out for Funeral

SRINAGAR: Hundreds of men attended the funeral of an Army man whose bullet-riddled body was recovered from a village in Shopian district today morning, triggering outrage across Kashmir.

Sepoy Irfan Ahmad Dar, 22, who worked in the engineering wing of the 175 Territorial Army and was posted in north Kashmir's Gurez, was found shot dead in Wathmula area of Shopian district today morning.

"Irfan was on leave till November 26. We have inputs that he was possibly abducted and killed by militants. A case has been filed and the matter is being investigated by J&K police,” an Army official in Srinagar said.

According to family sources, he left home in a car yesterday evening at around 5:30 but didn’t return. Today morning, his bullet-riddled body was spotted by locals in Wathmula who informed the police.

“He was home on vacations from last four to five days. He was abducted by militants yesterday. The car was parked near the body and the keys were kept in his pocket,” police sources said.

The body was later handed over to his relatives. The family lives in Senzan village of Shopian.

Family of the deceased, which includes his parents, two brothers and a sister, said there was no wreath laying ceremony. The J&K police hasn’t issued any press statement so far in connection with the incident.

Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and the leader of the opposition, Omar Abdullah condemned the killing on Twitter.

“Strongly condemn the brutal killing of Irfan Ahmed ,a brave Territorial Army soldier at Shopian. SuchSuch heinous acts will not weaken our resolve to establish peace and normalcy in the valley,” Mehbooba said.

“The murder of young Irfan Dar is a very tragic & reprehensible act. My unqualified condemnation & heartfelt condolences to his family,” Omar tweeted.

The incident comes at a time when the special representative Dineshwar Sharma is in Jammu and Kashmir on his second visit this month as part of the Centre’s ‘sustained dialogue’. He met the chief minister, migrant Kashmiri pandits and other delegations in Jammu.

In an interaction with reporters yesterday in Jammu, Sharma turned down the idea of release of political prisoners as a confidence building measure. The idea was floated by moderate Hurriyat chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq during his Friday sermon at Jamia Masjid.

Earlier, a young BSF trooper, Mohammad Ramzan Parrey was killed by suspected militants at his home in Hajin area of Bandipora. His family members were also injured in the shootout.

Lt Umar Fayaz, who was posted with 2 Rajputana Rifle, was also abducted by militants on May 9. Later his bullet-riddled body was recovered next day from an orchard, in one of the goriest incidents of internicine violence witnessed in the Valley this year