Soldier mourning son’s death shot

Suhail A Shah

Kulgam, September 17

Mourning the death of his 17-year-old-son, Lance Naik Mukhtar Ahmad Malik (43) of 162 Battalion of the Territorial Army was shot dead at his house in Kulgam’s Churat village today morning.  

Officials said the family was preparing for Rasm-e-Chauram (post-death ritual) when the militants barged into the house. They found him on the first floor and started questioning him about Army deployment. “Shoot me but don’t ask me questions,” those present quoted Malik as having told the killers. 

Sources, quoting a relative, claimed the killers entered posing as mediapersons. “That is, perhaps, why Malik’s two sons and kin had a scuffle with some local scribes.”

Malik’s son Shariq had sustained serious injuries in a road accident. Battling for life at the Army Hospital, he died on September 14. 

Once an Ikhwan (a pro-government group active in the Nineties) commander, Malik rarely visited his home for fear of being killed, said sources.