Rifleman Aurangzeb was targetted due to his unit’s contribution in counter-surgency operations
New Delhi: Violation of several standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the Indian Army and falling in love with local Kashmiri woman led to the brutal murder of Army Jawan Aurangzeb who was on his way back to home on June 14 confirmed several officials.
Army Jawan Aurangzeb was posted in South Kashmir’s Shadimurg, in the 44 Rashtriya Rifles camp. He was abducted by the terrorist on his way back to home and was later found dead, HT reported.
Aurangzeb became a target due to the unit which he belonged since his unit has been at the forefront of counter-insurgency operations in Shopian and has also neutralised several militants in the region.
Terrorists have found about Aurangzeb’s relationship with a local woman and intercepted the private cab he and his colleagues had hired. The terrorists dragged Aurangzeb out from the cab when they reached Shopian where he had intended to meet the local woman before leaving for Valley.
“He had come in contact with a woman and the two were in touch,’’ an official revealed adding that the soldier was on his way to home in Poonch for Eid.
The official added that the “terrorists forced the girl to reveal details and discovered that he would be leaving the army camp and would be seeing her before proceeding to Poonch.”
And since they knew when the rifleman was arriving they waited out until the cab stopped at Shopian.
Following the brutal killing of rifleman Aurangzeb, the army has now issued an advisory reiterating SOPs. “A message has been sent to all units in the Valley, through 15 Corps, to not befriend local women,’’ which was confirmed by army spokesperson.
“It is not easy for our men to serve in the midst of a hostile population, but contact with women is completely inadvisable,’’ said another official.
Rifleman Aurangzeb had also violated other SOPs since Army jawans are mandated to leave only in bullet-proof vehicles (called Caspers until&K), until they cross the Valley.
Crossing the Valley in private is strictly a No and a violation of Indian Army’s SOPs.
Had Aurangzeb opted for the bullet-proof vehicle to cross the valley he would have been alive.
“He hailed a private car because he was to meet the girl,’’ added another official.
A video of Aurangzeb in captivity shows him answering questions on his duties, postings, operations before he was shot multiple times in the head and was abandoned in Pulwama region.
“All units have been asked to (now) strictly comply with SOPs,’’ the spokesperson said.