Shopian: GoC Victor Force visits slain Lt. Ummer Fayaz's grieving family

Major General B.S. Raju, Victor Force, General Officer Commanding (GOC) on Saturday met the the grieving family of slain Indian Army Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian and assured him that his death will not go in vain.

"He was a brilliant young man who performed in a spectacular manner in the Indian Army. He decided to join the National Defence Academy (NDA) four years ago. From my side he is a hero," the GOC said after meeting his family here.

He further added that a school would be renamed after Fayaz as Lt. Ummer Goodwill School.

"His death will not go in vain. Strict actions will be taken over this militant attack. We want to ensure that our operation will not affect the civil population," he asserted.

Meanwhile, Fayaz's family remains inconsolable as they continue to mourn the loss of their son.

"We have lost everything. He was a good human being," Fayaz's father Faiz Ahmed told ANI.

His aunt, Shohebida, said he was a caring person who always excelled in studies.

"He used to stay with me most of the time and I used to take care of his studies and everything. We cannot express how much this news has devastated us. He always took care of my children," she said.

Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz from RAJRIF unit in Akhnoor had gone to attend the wedding of his uncle's daughter at Batapura (Near Behibagh) last Tuesday, from where he was abducted by terrorists and his bullet ridden body was found at Harmen, said the Army in a statement.

His mortal remains underwent postmortem 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.