Will ensure justice for Lt Ummer Fayaz, says Centre

The Centre on Wednesday assured justice for the murder of Army officer Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, who was killed by terrorists in Jammu & Kashmir’s Shopian district.

“Shocked by killing of Lt. Ummer Fayaz in J&K by terrorists. My prayers with the family. Perpetrators of the crime will be brought to justice,” Union minister Venkaiah Naidu tweeted.

Condemning the abduction of Lieutenant Fayaz, Union Defence Minister Arun Jaitley earlier in the day dubbed it a “dastardly act of cowardice.”

Taking to Twitter Jaitley said, “Abduction & murder of Lt. Ummer Fayaz by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. This young officer from J&K was a role model.”

The young Indian Army officer, who was abducted and then brutally killed by terrorists, was cremated with full honours in Sursun in Pulwama, Jammu & Kashmir.

Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz from RAJRIF unit in Akhnoor had gone to attend the wedding of his uncle’s daughter at Batapura (Near Behibagh) on Tuesday, from where he was reportedly abducted by terrorists. His bullet-riddled body was found at Harmen on Wednesday, the Army said in a statement.

His mortal remains underwent post mortem at the District Hospital in Shopian and was subsequently brought to Sursun for burial with full military honors.

Lt. Fayaz was commissioned on 10th December 2016 from the National Defence Academy and was set to head for the Young Officers Course in September this year.

“He was part of the Hockey Team of NDA, excellent volleyball player. He was physically tough and the troops enjoyed being with him,” the Army said.

The police said that the officer was shot by terrorists five times in an orchard.

His body was found lying by a local at Harman orchard and subsequently after being informed, the police rushed to the spot