Army officer found killed in Kashmir’s Shopian district

An army officer was found killed in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Wednesday, police sources said.

A 23-year-old Lieutenant-rank Army officer, identified as Umar Fayaz from Kulgam was posted with a RAJRIF unit in Akhnoor.

The body of the Lieutenant rank officer was found with bullet wounds in Hermain area of the district, they said.

According to the police, Lt Umar Fayaz, hailing from neighbouring Kulgam district, had gone to Shopian to attend the marriage function of a relative.

An army official in Srinagar said they have received an input and are verifying the circumstances in which the officer was found dead.

The post-mortem of Lt Fayaz is being conducted at the District Hospital, Shopian, and his body will then be brought to Sursun for burial with military honours.

An ex-NDA, the young officer was commissioned in December 2016. The slain officer was likely to go for the Young Officers’ Course in September. He was part of the hockey team of NDA. He was also good at playing volleyball. Lt Fayaz's father is a small-time apple farmer.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley called it a cowardly act in a tweet.

Minister of state (Home) Hans Raj Ahir has also condemned the killing.

With inputs from NH Web Desk