Villagers at the funeral of Jana Begum, who was killed in crossfire in Shopian on Thursday. Tribune Photo: Amin War

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, February 23

After the news of killing of Lance Naik Ghulam Mohiuddin Rather in the Shopian ambush reached his village, relatives and neighbours started converging at Punchpora, Anantnag.Outside Lance Naik Rather’s house, a group of women were inconsolable. Some offered water to the wife of the slain soldier, others tried to cuddle his minor son. Small groups of men assembled en route Lance Naik Rather’s home.Lance Naik Rather was among the three soldiers of 44 Rashtriya Rifles who were killed in the militant ambush at Mulu Chitragam village in Shopian district of south Kashmir. An old woman was also killed in crossfire. Five other soldiers, including two officers, were injured in the incident.Lance Naik Rather’s family members came to know about his death around 9 am through social media. Hours later they were formally informed by the Army about his martyrdom.A pall of gloom descended on the family which was readying to marry his sister next month. “His sister was getting married next month and the family was gearing up for it. We wonder what will happen now,” said a family member of the soldier over phone from the village. “He was the only bread-winner in the family,” he said.The residents of the area said Mohiuddin used to visit his home as he was posted in nearby Shopian. “He would send medicines for his ailing parents whenever he could not come home,” said a neighbour.The Army said Lance Naik Rather’s mortal remains would be sent to his village for the last rites on Friday after a wreath-laying ceremony at 15 Corps Headquarters.

Woman’s killing sparks protests in ShopianSeventy-year-old Jana Begum, who was killed in Shopian, was hit by a stray bullet inside her house. She was probably trying to figure out what was going on outside when the bullet hit her, a police officer said. The woman was found dead by her family soon after. She is survived by husband and five children. Jana was known in the locality as a pious woman. Her killing sparked protests and large number of people attended her funeral. — TNS