Candlelight march held in Delhi to pay homage to Ummer

A candlelight march was held on Saturday evening at the India Gate here to pay homage to Army officer, Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, who was killed by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Around 500-600 persons, including Army officials, veterans, children, and people from different walks of life participated in the march, which was called by delegates of the 129 NDA course Golf Squadron in memory of their classmate Fayaz.

The unarmed officer, on leave to visit his home in Kulgam, was kidnapped by militants while attending the marriage of his maternal uncle's daughter in Batapura village around 10 p.m. on May 9.

His bullet-riddled body was found on Wednesday morning (May 10) at Harmen in Shopian district. The officer, from Rajputana Rifles, had joined the Army in December last year.

Some people who were visiting the India Gate for a leisure walk also expressed their solidarity with the killed young officer.

Sidakdeep Singh, who was present at the march, and who was senior to Fayaz, said Fayaz's killing was an unfortunate incident.

Singh said he did not know Fayaz personally, but had heard a lot about his daring nature. "He was a symbol of motivation and an idol for Kashmiri youth. He will be a role modal for many Kashmiri boys willing to join the Army," he said.

Lieutenant General V.K. Chaturvedi (retd), who participated in the event, said the country had lost a role model for the youth while Lt. Gen. Raj Kadyan (retd) urged people of Kashmir to raise their voice against Pakistan-supported terror outfits.

"Time has come for Kashmiri people to raise voice against Pakistan-supported terror outfits. Kashmiris must think that if they can kill a Kashmiri boy, then they can kill anyone," Kadyan told IANS.

Retired Colonel Amrit Singh, 75, said he also came along with his wife Abha Kalha to participate in the march.

He said the Armyman's killing is a loss to the nation and demanded the government take approriate action.

His wife said: "We want strict action, instead of strong condemnation of the brutal killing."

For Lakshya, 16, who had come along with his younger sister and parents, the killing was an act of cowardice.

"The militants picked him while he was attending his cousin sister's marriage. His abduction and murder by terrorists is a dastardly act," he said.

--IANS

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