Srinagar: An off-duty Army jawan was killed by suspected militants in Jammu and Kashmir’s southern Shopian district overnight, the police said on Saturday.
“We have taken up investigations. It appears to be a case of kidnapping and murder and we suspect terrorists are involved,” he said.
No militant outfit active in J&K has, so far, claimed responsibility for killing Dar.
The deceased’s family told the police that Dar had come home on vacation. They said that he had left home in his car on Friday evening and did not return. His vehicle was found one kilometre from the place where his body was found on Saturday morning, the police said.
Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, who was touring neighbouring Kulgam district as part of her “public outreach”, condemned Dar’s murder. She tweeted, “Strongly condemn the brutal killing of Irfan Ahmed, a brave Territorial Army soldier at Shopian. Such heinous acts will not weaken our resolve to establish peace and normalcy in the Valley”.
Her predecessor and Opposition National Conference working president, Omar Abdullah, also took to the micro-blogging site to condemn the killing. He wrote, “The murder of young Irfan Dar is a very tragic & reprehensible act. My unqualified condemnation & heartfelt condolences to his family.”
