Divided opinion in Kashmir over killing of unarmed army officer

There was divided opinion over the kidnapping and killing of an unarmed local army officer by militants on social media in Kashmir on Wednesday with some condemning the murder while others saying “a solider is never out of uniform.”

“All Kashmiris should mourn and condemn (Lieutenant) Umar Fayaz's death. he was a brilliant and dear son of soil... (sic),” Hawa Bashir, a social activist wrote on her facebook.

Her views were acknowledged by Prof Mohammad Aslam, who teaches English Lit in Central
University of Kashmir, but with a rider. “Nobody has the right to take a life. This is only God's prerogative. Why would militants kill him? I would like to know. Can't it be an act if smdy else to malign militants? Anything is possible in Kashmir. But, it is SAD),” he wrote in response to Hawa Bashir’s post

However, Najeeb Mubaraki, a journalist while commenting on the killing wrote on his facebook wall, “A 'soldier' is never out of uniform, as isn't a 'militant', the latter, however, using counter violence unravels state violence; and the two are never equal. this is basic theory, and practice.”

Another facebook user Aasif Farooq while condemning the killing in the same statement said the slain officer belonged to the same Rajputana Rifles “which raped dozens of women at Kunan Poshpora in Kupwara in 1991.”

“I strongly condemn the brutal killing of young Umar Fayaz, who served in the Indian Army as a Lieutenant. I also condemn the gruesome mass rape of dozens of Kashmiri women by Rajputana Rifles of Indian Army at Kunan Poshpora. Umar Fayaz served in the same Rajputana Rifles,” he said.

Shaliendra Mishra, a young IPS officer questioned: “Kidnap and kill, an unarmed soldier on a holiday. Whose jihad is this?”

Opposition National Conference leader and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted his anger over the killing. “Very sad and alarming. Condolences to the family. May Lt Umay Fayaz’s soul rest in peace,” Omar wrote.