On Eid day, the family of a soldier plunged into gloom in the Andhra Pradesh capital as the shocking news of his death in the line of duty in Jammu and Kashmir reached them.
The body of Army Jawan Lance Naik Mohammad Firoz Khan, who died in firing on Tuesday near Line of Control when Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, was brought to Hyderabad by a flight on Wednesday late night.
Body was brought home around midnight in Nawab saheb kunta in Old City. Hundreds of people, relatives and friends received the body and slogans were raised thus ‘Firoz Khan Amar Rahe Pakistan Murdabad.’
Firoz Khan is survived by wife Razia Begum, daughter Afsheen (5), son Ashraf Khan (4) and an eight-month-old baby girl Ashanas.
According to family members, who had come home for Eid-ul-Fitr two months ago, could not come this time. But he called his wife a few days ago and asked her to buy new clothes for the children.
According to Defence Ministry spokesman Col R K Palta, Firoz Khan sustained splinter injuries when a shell exploded near him. Firoz Khan’s father Jaffer Khan was also in the Army. They originally belonged to Hanamkonda and shifted to Hyderabad a decade ago. After his retirement, he worked in Union Bank for some time.
Abid Rasool Khan, Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh State Minorities Commission, were among the dignitaries present. He laid a wreath on the body on behalf of the State Government.
The Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy expressed shock and anguish over the killing of the Firoz Khan.
A Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) condemned the killing of Feroze Khan. The party demanded monetary compensation to kin of the deceased both by State and Central government.
MBT president Dr Khayam Khan and Azampura Corporator Amjed Ullah Khan, in a joint statement, demanded Rs 25 lakh ex-gratia from both State and Central governments, 15 acres of agriculture land to kin of the soldier, and a government job to one of the family members. The funeral will take place with full state honours on Thursday afternoon, Firoz’s relatives said.
Army Jawan Mohammed firoz khan funeral prayer will be offer today on Thursday after zohar in Masjid-e-Saleheen, Saleheen Nagar Nawab Saheb Kunta.
(with inputs IANS)