Soldier home for son's last rites killed by terrorists

SRINAGAR: The killing of Territorial Army soldier Lance Naik

Mukhtar Ahmed Malik

— who was visiting his native village in Kulgam to perform his son’s last rites — by terrorists on Monday triggered massive outrage on social media, with scores of netizens condemning the crime.


“No words for how tragic this is. Territorial army soldier Mukhtar Ahmad Malik killed by terrorists in Kulgam… Mukhtar was on leave to perform the last rites of his 18-year-old son who had passed away two days ago. RIP, Mukhtar. (sic),” Livefist founder-editor and author Shiv

Aroor

tweeted.

“General Bipin Rawat #COAS & all ranks salute supreme sacrifice of L/Nk Mukhtar Ahmad Malik & offer condolences to the family of the Braveheart. (sic),” the official handle of the Indian Army tweeted.

Malik’s son had recently met with a road accident and succumbed during treatment at an Army hospital on September 15. A group of terrorists posing as journalists barged into 43-year-old Malik’s house in Churat village on Monday while the family was preparing for ‘Rasm-e-Chauram (post-death ritual)’, and sought to meet the grieving soldier, who was serving in the 162 Battalion of the Territorial Army.

They found Malik and began asking him about the deployment of the Army. According to eyewitnesses’ accounts to police, Malik’s last words were, “Shoot me if you want to, but don’t ask me questions.” The assailants then gunned him down and escaped from the spot.

The slain soldier was laid to rest in the village on Tuesday. He had joined the Army in 2004 and is survived by his wife and two children.

The Army paid tribute to Malik at Badami Bagh Cantonment. The official Twitter handle of Chinar Corps tweeted, “In a solemn ceremony at #BBcantt, #ChinarCorpsCdr & All Ranks paid homage to L/Nk Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, who was martyred in a dastardly act by the #terrorists at #Kulgam; Army stands in solidarity with his family. (sic).”

“Mukhtar Ahmad Malik, a territorial army soldier was killed by terrorists in Shurat village of South #Kashmir’s

Kulgam district

. Will the #Hurriyat dare to condemn this horrific act? (sic),” Twitter handle @JKviews wrote.

“One more Kashmiri mother lost her beloved son. Pakistan backed terrorists killed yet another Kashmiri Mukhtar Ahmad Malik of Indian Territorial Army who came home on leave (sic),” tweeted @mauseen_khan.