LG pays tribute to martyred soldiers, porters
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 25: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha paid floral tribute today to the two soldiers and equal number of porters who were martyred in a terror attack in Gulmarg a day before.
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Sinha visited the Army’s Srinagar-based 15 Corps unit, also known as Chinar Corps, to pay homage to the martyred soldiers and porters.
“Paid homage to the brave soldiers and Defence porters who made the supreme sacrifice in the service to the nation in Bota Pathri sector on October 24, 2024,” the LG said in a post on X.
He said the country will never forget their selfless service and supreme sacrifice. “We stand in solidarity with the bereaved families,” he added.
In the meantime, as the bodies of the two martyred porters Mushtaq Ahmed Chaudhary of Nowshera and Zahoor Ahmed Mir of Barnate – both from Boniyar reached their home, pall of gloom descended the area.
Thousands of people took part in the last rites of the two porters at their respective villages in Boniyar.
“It’s very unfortunate, and such incidents, which devastate families, should not happen at any cost. This cycle of violence needs to stop here,” residents said.
The mourning villagers called on the Government to take swift action to protect civilians, saying the losses have left families in crisis. They have appealed to the Government to support families who have lost their breadwinners.
“Both men were the sole earners for their families, facing difficult financial circumstances but determined to support their loved ones,” said a neighbour of Zahoor Ahmed Mir, one of the killed porters from Barnate, Boniyar.
Mushtaq’s sudden death has left a devastating void for his young family. He leaves behind his wife, a toddler son and a father who is suffering from kidney ailments and is bed-bound. “Our father is ailing, confined to bed, and now this tragedy has shattered us,” shared Mushtaq’s brother, who lives separately but rushed to be with the family after hearing the news.
“Why must innocent labourers, who are only trying to make a living, be targeted? Are we no longer safe just because we go out to work?” he said. “We want justice for Mushtaq. Authorities should see our condition and understand the pain of families like ours who suffer from such tragedies.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Minga Sherpa visited the families of martyred porters and extended condolences besides financial support.
The DC, who was accompanied by Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Uri, Javaid Ahmad visited the Nowshera and Barnate villages of Boniyar and presented compensation cheques of 6 lakh rupees to each family as an immediate relief to support them through this period of loss.
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