Kashmiri officer's killing reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from Valley: Arun Jaitley

An Army officer from Kashmir was abducted and shot dead by militants in Shopian district.

File photo

New Delhi: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said on Wednesday that the abduction and murder of a Kashmiri Army officer by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice.

Expressing anguish over the killing of 23-year-old Lt Ummer Fayaz, whose bullet-riddled body was found in Harmen area of Shopian this morning, Jaitley conveyed his condolences to the family and said he would continue to inspire youth from the Valley.

"Abduction and murder of Lt Ummer Fayaz by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. This young officer from J&K was a role model," Jaitley said in a tweet.

He added that Fayaz's sacrifice reiterates the nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley.

"Lt Ummer Fayaz of 2RAJRIF was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley," he said.

Abduction & murder of Lt. Ummer Fayaz by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. This young officer from J&K was a role model — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 10, 2017

Lt. Ummer Fayaz of 2RAJRIF was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates nation's commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 10, 2017

We share the grief of family of Lt. Ummer Fayaz & stand in solidarity. Lt. Ummer Fayaz will continue to inspire youth from the Valley. — Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) May 10, 2017

The Army officer from Kashmir was abducted and shot dead by militants in Shopian district where he had gone to attend the wedding ceremony of a relative.

Fayaz was abducted by five to six militants from his relative's house in south Kashmir's Shopian last night.

Hailing from Kulgam district, Fayaz was in the Infantry and was posted in Akhnoor area in Jammu. He was commissioned in the Army in December last year.

"In a dastardly act, some unidentified terrorists yesterday abducted and then killed a young Army officer, Lt Umer Fayaz," an Army official said, as per PTI.

He said the officer, who was unarmed, had come to his native Kulgam district on leave for attending a wedding in his family.

"The Army salutes the braveheart and stands by the bereaved family in this hour of tragedy," the official said, adding, "we are committed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act of terror to justice". 

#COAS & All Ranks salute supreme sacrifice of Lt Ummer Fayaz at Shopian, J&K & offers condolences to the family members. pic.twitter.com/mVE1TnEND3 — ADG PI - INDIAN ARMY (@adgpi) May 10, 2017

(With Agency inputs)