Srinagar: Security forces on Wednesday recovered the bullet-ridden body of a missing soldier from Anantnag district, officials said here.
The body of Territorial Army jawan Hilal Ahmad Bhat, who was reported missing on Tuesday, was recovered from Sanglan forest area in Utrasoo area of Anantnag, the officials said.
Bhat was allegedly kidnapped by terrorists on Tuesday while he was on his way back to join duty after leave, a neighbour said.
However, news agency KNO reported 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,” KNO quoted officials as saying.
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.”
Officials said the body has been taken to a hospital for medical formalities.
Security forces had launched a massive search operation to trace the jawan.
“Based on intelligence input, a joint counter terrorist operation was launched by #IndianArmy alongwith @JmuKmrPolice & other agencies in Kazwan Forest # Kokernag on 08 Oct 24. Operation continued overnight as one soldier of the Territorial Army was reported missing,” Srinagar-based Chinar Corps of the Army posted on X.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha laid a wreath and paid homage to Hilal Ahmad Bhat today.
“I salute the supreme sacrifice of our Army braveheart 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.
Meanwhile, grief and sorrow was palpable in the slain soldier’s native Nowgam.
“The entire village is in grief … Hilal was a nice person,” Mohammad Shafi, a neighbor, said.
Bhat is survived by his wife, his five-year-old son, Azaan, and an infant daughter.
Shafi said the soldier had come home on leave to spend time with his family.
“Yesterday, he returned to report to work, but later we heard that he had been abducted on the way,” he said.
“I appeal to the government to take special care of his family as they have lost their breadwinner,” he added.
Junaid Bhat, a childhood friend of Bhat, was yet to come to terms with his friend’s death.
“I do not know why he was kidnapped and killed. We grew up together … he was such a nice person,” he said.
