Soldier on leave shot dead by militants in Kashmir | Latest News India - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Soldier on leave shot dead by militants in Kashmir

Hindustan Times, Srinagar | ByMir Ehsan
Apr 06, 2019 11:26 PM IST

The soldier, who was on leave, was identified as Mohammad Rafiq Yatoo. The police said he was shot around 5:30 pm when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him near his house.

Unidentified militants on Saturday shot and killed a soldier at point blank rage close to his house in north Kashmir’s Warpora village.

The soldier was shot near his home in Sopore.(AFP)
The soldier was shot near his home in Sopore.(AFP)

The soldier, who was on leave, was identified as Mohammad Rafiq Yatoo. The police said he was shot around 5:30 pm when unidentified gunmen opened fire on him near his house. Yatoo was taken to a hospital, but he died of the injuries he suffered in the shooting.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

Soon after the killing, the army and police launched a search operation in the area. A fortnight ago two militants were killed in the same village in an encounter with security forces that lasted two days.

No militant group has so far claimed responsibility for the killing. A police spokesman blamed Kashmiri militants for the murder. “He was with the army and was at home on leave. A case has been registered and police is investigating the circumstances of this terror crime,” the spokesman said.

Yatoo had come home on leave five days ago. He was posted with 52 Rashtriya Rifles, which is deployed in north Kashmir. Officials said that he had joined the army seven years ago.

Kashmiri militants have often targeted army soldiers. In June last year, Aurangzeb, a soldier with 44 Rashtriya Rifles, posted in south Kashmir’s Shopian district was abducted by militants and his bullet-riddled body was found 10 kilometers away from the place where he had been seized. Aurangzeb, a resident of Poonch in Jammu, was on way home to celebrate Eid when he was abducted and killed.

In March, suspected militants shot dead Showkat Ahmad at Pinglena in Pulwama. Ahmad had been declared a deserter by the Army after he left his training midway last year.

On March 9, family members of Yasin Bhat, of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, foiled an attempt by militants to abduct him from his house in village Qazipora of Budgam district after they scuffled with militants who had barged into their house.

In May 2017, militants kidnapped and then killed Lt Umar Fayaz at Hermain Shopian where he had gone to attend the marriage cermony of a cousin.

In November 2017, a territorial Army jawan, Irfan Ahmad Dar, who was on leave, was abducted and killed by militants in an apple orchard close to his house at Sazan, in Shopian.

Unveiling Elections 2024: The Big Picture', a fresh segment in HT's talk show 'The Interview with Kumkum Chadha', where leaders across the political spectrum discuss the upcoming general elections. Watch now!

Get Current Updates on India News, Election 2024, Arvind Kejriwal Arrest Live Updates, Bihar Board 12th Result Live along with Latest News and Top Headlines from India and around the world.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Sunday, March 24, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On