Bullet-riddled body of missing soldier recovered, pall of gloom in village

Troops during searches at Shangus. (Inset) TA soldier.
Troops during searches at Shangus. (Inset) TA soldier.

LG salutes sacrifice of braveheart

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, Oct 9: Security forces today recovered the bullet-riddled body of a missing Territorial Army soldier in the Kazwan area of Shangus in Anantnag district.

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The soldier Hilal Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Nowgam, had gone missing during a security force operation in the forest area of Shangus yesterday.
An official said that two soldiers from the Territorial Army unit were abducted by militants from a forest area in Anantnag during an operation yesterday. One soldier managed to escape, while the other went missing.
The second soldier, Bhat, a resident of Nowgam, was found dead in the Pathribal forest area of Anantnag during a search operation launched since his disappearance. “There were bullet injuries on the body of the slain soldier,” the official said.
Army’s Srinagar-based Chinar Corps posted on X: “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.”
“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,” Army posted on X this morning.
Meanwhile, pall of gloom engulfed the village when the news about the recovery of the body of the soldier reached his village.
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, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid rich tributes to fallen brave heart 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,” an official statement said.