NEW DELHI: A day after brutal killing of Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz, the Army has issued an advisory to nearly 30 officers hailing from the restive parts of Jammu and Kashmir as a precautionary step. The personnel were asked to report to the nearest police or army post whenever they visit their native place so that security can be provided in case of any emergency.
Apart from officers, there are nearly 3,000 soldiers who hail from South Kashmir and adjoining districts, now witnessing turmoil.
Fayaz, newly commissioned into the Army was off duty and was visiting his native place to attend wedding ceremony of his cousin when he was abducted and later killed by terrorists.
The 22-year-old officer had not informed the nearby Army’s company operating base(COB)or post while on leave, officials said here on Thursday adding the post was located about a km away from the place of incident.
According to a senior army official, concerned over officers and men not informing the nearest post about their presence, the Army headquarters on Thursday issued the directive, officials said adding nearly 30 officers serving in the Army, IAF and Navy hail from South Kashmir and valley now witness to turmoil.
All serving personnel from these areas were directed to follow the standard operating procedure while on leave and visiting their native places in these districts. Whenever on leave, the soldiers report to nearest COB of the Army or Central Reserve Police Force or the local police. The visiting personnel share their mobile number with the post besides informing them about the length of their stay. In case of any trouble, they are advised to give a missed call and the post responds immediately to provide all help, they said.
However, the personnel many a times do not inform the post and prefer to remain lie low during the entire period of stay, officials said.
Besides officers and men serving in the Services, many policemen and those serving in the central para-military forces also hail from this region, they added.
The state police had issued a similar advisory last year when South Kashmir saw mass scale protests for more than four months following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July. In the wake of Lt. Fayaz’s murder, the state administration was also likely to again issue the directive, sources said.