Shah Basit
An Armyman from Bandipora who was posted with 34 RR in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district is among the three army troopers killed during an encounter in south Kashmir on Friday evening.
Sources told The Kashmiriyat that Waseem Ahmed Dar, a resident of Bandipora was injured during cross firing in the Halan forest range. The five troopers who sustained injuries were shifted to the hospital, where three of them succumbed to their injuries.
As per locals, Waseem has joined the Indian Army in 2014 and was married in the year 2021. “His wife is six months pregnant,” they told The Kashmiriyat.
Locals said that the deceased was a great football player and was highly known in the area for his skills.
“He was as not only a brave and dedicated soldier but also a talented footballer who had a passion for the game. He played for Iqra Football Club in Dachigam. He was fondly remembered by his teammates and friends as a friendly, pure-hearted person who never betrayed anybody. They said he always supported good quality football and footballers of Jammu and Kashmir. His contribution to the football was immense,” wrote District football association.
The news of his death left the community in Bandipora devastated.
Waseem has left b hind his parents, a wife, brother and two brother and two married sisters behind.
On Friday, Indian Army’s 34 RR, Jammu Kashmir Police and CRPF, following inputs on militant movement, laid a cordon and search operation in the Halan Manzgam area of Kulgam.
During the cordon, militants opened fire om forces, triggering an encounter.
During the cordon, five troopers were injuries, three of them succumbed to their injuries at Army’s 92 base hospital in Srinagar.
Though official confirmation on the identities is awaited, hundreds of people have gathered at the Bandipora house of the deceased.
The cordon and search operation was going on when this report was filed.