The deceased was identified as Manzoor Beigh, a resident of Sadoora village (Representational image) The deceased was identified as Manzoor Beigh, a resident of Sadoora village (Representational image)

A Territorial Army jawan, who had come home on leave for Eid, was killed at his residence Thursday evening by suspected militants in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. J&K police said the attackers fired at Manzoor Beigh, a resident of Sadoora village, who later succumbed to injuries.

A police spokesperson said that Beigh “sustained critical gunshot injuries” and was “evacuated to hospital for treatment where he succumbed”. Police are “investigating the circumstances of this terror crime”, the spokesperson said.

Srinagar-based defence spokesperson Col Rajesh Kalia said in a statement: “Havaldar Manzoor Ahmad Beigh, serving with the Territorial Army unit, was shot at by terrorists and grievously injured at his residence today evening.” He said “the soldier was unarmed and on 12 days leave from June, 4, 2019, to celebrate Eid with his family”.

Dr Majid Mirab, medical superintendent of the district hospital, told The Indian Express that Beigh, in his 30s, was declared brought dead. “He had gun shot injuries on the right chest,” he said.

Residents of Sadoora village claimed that Beigh, who is survived by his wife and three children, was a former counter-insurgent.

Police sources said Beigh and his wife were milking their cow in a shed, when two masked gunmen arrived and tried to call him out. “When he refused, they fired at him,” said sources.

This is the second such incident this year after another Army man on leave was shot dead by suspected militants in north Kashmir’s Sopore town in April.

Meanwhile, J&K police said that two Special Police Officers (SPOs) have gone missing from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district. “We are probing if the missing duo took their service weapons with them,” said a senior officer.

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