Army institutes award after Lt Fayaz

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 2

In an honour for a fallen officer, the Indian Army has instituted a motivation award in the name of Lt Ummer Fayaz to be awarded to a cadet at the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, Pune.

The officer, who hailed from Kashmir, was abducted from his cousin’s wedding at Kulgam in south Kashmir in May 2017 and found dead a couple of days later.

The award will be called the ‘NDA commandant’s motivation award–Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, trophy and silver medal for displaying overall improvement in performance during the training’. The award has been sponsored by the Officers Regiment, the Rajputana Rifles.

Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was born at Sursunu village in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. He studied from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Anantnag, and joined the 129th course of NDA to pursue his dream of becoming an Army officer.

During his training at NDA, he demonstrated outstanding improvement in his performance in all disciplines.

Lieutenant Fayaz was commissioned on December 10, 2016, into the 2nd battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment. He was deployed in Akhnoor Sector of Jammu and Kashmir. In early May 2017, he had sought leave to attend the wedding of his cousin from where was abducted.

The life and sacrifice of Lieutenant Fayaz is seen as an inspiration for the youth, especially from rural areas in the Valley, for joining the armed forces. The winner of the first award is Cadet Vijay Bahadur of 139th NDA course.

Commissioned in 2016

Lieutenant Fayaz was commissioned on December 10, 2016, into the 2nd battalion of the Rajputana Rifles Regiment

His sacrifice is seen as an inspiration for the youth, especially from rural areas in the Valley, for joining the armed forces.