Anantnag- Security forces Wednesday recovered the bullet-riddled body of a missing Territorial Army soldier who had gone missing during a counter terrorist operation in the Kazwan area of Shangus in South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Officials said that two soldiers from the Territorial Army unit were abducted by terrorists from a forest area in Anantnag during a joint anti-terror operation on Tuesday. One soldier managed to escape, while the other went missing.
The second soldier, identified as Hilal Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Nowgam, was found dead in the Pathribal forest area of Anantnag during a subsequent search operation. “There were bullet injuries on the body of the slain soldier,” an official said.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Indian Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps said: “Chinar Corps honours the supreme sacrifice of the Braveheart, Rifleman Hilal Ahmad Bhat, in the line of duty for the nation. His courage and dedication will forever inspire us. The Indian Army expresses its deepest condolences and stands in solidarity with the bereaved family.”
Earlier, on Wednesday morning, the Chinar Corps had confirmed that the soldier of the Territorial Army was reported missing.
“Based on intelligence input, a joint counter-terrorist operation was launched by the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir Police and other agencies in the Kazwan Forest in Kokernag on October 8. The operation continued overnight as one soldier of the Territorial Army was reported missing,” the post on X read.
Meanwhile, sorrow engulfed the village when the news of the missing TA soldier reached there on Wednesday. Junaid Ahmad Bhat, cousin of the slain soldier, said, “He had come home 10 days ago. I met him yesterday morning. He was a nice person.” He said that Hilal had left behind a family, and it is very sad news for the whole village. Another villager said, “He was so young, and I appeal to the government to take special care of his family, as they have lost their breadwinner.”
Meanwhile, J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid rich tributes to fallen brave hearts and also laid wreaths on his coffin. “I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army brave heart Rfn Hilal Ahmad Bhat. His valour and sacrifice will never be forgotten. The entire nation stands firmly with the family of the martyr in this hour of grief,” the LG said as per an official statement issued here.
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