Srinagar, Oct 9 :
A bullet-ridden body of a Territorial Army soldier, who went missing during a Joint counter terrorist operation in the forest area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district yesterday was recovered on Wednesday, officials said.
The soldier identified as Rifleman Hilal Ahmed Bhat of TA 162 unit went missing during the operation at Hornag Shangus forest area.
“After the soldier went missing, a massive search was launched, which continued during the night. This morning during searches, the bullet-ridden body of the missing soldier was found in the area,” an official said.
The 26-year-old Bhat a resident of Mukdampora, Nowgam had joined the Army in 2019.
Army’s Srinagar based Chinar Corps said Rifleman Bhat died in line of duty for the nation.
“ChinarCorps honours the supreme sacrifice of the #Braveheart, Rfn Hilal Ahmad Bhat, in line of duty for the Nation. His courage and dedication will forever inspire us. Indian Army expresses deepest condolences and stand in solidarity with the bereaved family,” Chinar Corps said in a post on X.
Earlier, the Chinar Corps said the soldier went missing during a joint counter terrorist operation that was launched following an intelligence input.
“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 Territorial Army was reported missing. Massive rescue and search operation is in progress,” Army said on X.
Official sources, however, said on Tuesday two TA personnel had gone to a forest area to verify certain input and came face to face with militants. “One of the TA soldiers managed to escape and fell down the hill. He got injured but managed to reach his unit. The other TA soldier, Hilal, was abducted,” the sources said.
In recent years, militants in Kashmir have targeted several local policemen and army soldiers by abducting them from their homes and killing them.
Meanwhile, a pall of gloom descended on the Mukdampora Nowgam, 13 km from Anantnag town.
As the news of Bhat’s death spread, a large number of people gathered outside his home. “Hilal was a gentle man and a very popular figure in the area. He had only last week shifted to a new house,” said Junaid Ahmed, a friend of the rifleman. “He had left his home yesterday morning and we got to know about his death this morning.” Rifleman Bhat is survived by his wife, his four-year-old son, and his nine-month-old daughter.
