In Photos: The Funeral of a Slain Army Officer, Lt Ummer Fayaz

Villagers from Fayaz’ home in Kulgam, as well as those from districts in South Kahmir, attended his funeral.

Armymen prepare Ummer’s body for his burial. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz Parray, who was found dead with bullet wounds in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir, was laid to rest on Tuesday at his Village Sursoona Yaripora of Kulgam District.

The body of the Lieutenant rank officer was found riddled with bullets in Herman area of the district, they said. Initial reports said that 22-year-old Parray was commissioned in December 2016 in a Rajputana Rifles battalion in Akhnoor.

Villagers from various districts in South Kashmir come to pay their respects. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Members of the infantry perform a salute for Ummer. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Police said the officer, hailing from neighbouring Kulgam district, had gone to Shopian to attend a relative’s marriage function. Local reports suggest that the officer was abducted.

Wreaths were laid in front of Ummer’s body. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Reacting to the killing, Union Minister Arun Jaitley said:

Abduction and murder of Lt Ummer Fayaz by terrorists in Shopian is a dastardly act of cowardice. This young officer from J&K was a role model.

J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti also condemned the killing Fayaz.

He added that Fayaz was an exceptional sportsman, his sacrifice reiterates the nation's commitment to eliminating terrorism from the Valley.

The Tiranga was wrapped around the Ummer’s body. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Armymen prepare Ummer’s body for his burial. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Fayaz, the only son of an apple farmer, became the first person from South Kashmir’s Kulgam to get into the National Defence Academy.

He is survived by his parents and two sisters, who are students of Darul Uloom in Uttar Pradesh’s Deoband. Fayaz was in Shopian to attend a relative’s wedding when he was abducted by militants at around 10 pm on 9 May. He was later found dead.

Members of Ummer’s village Sursoona Yaripora gather to pay their respects. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

On 10 December 2016, he was posted with the Rajputana Rifles in J&K’s Akhnoor sector.

Ummer Fayaz’ Mother, wailing near the body of her son. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Fayaz completed his schooling from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Aishmuqam, Anantnag in 2012. He graduated from the Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi in 2015. He then underwent training at the National Defence Academy near Pune and the Indian Military Academy in Dehradun before being commissioned.

Ummer’s sister lies inconsolable next to her brother’s body. (Photo Courtesy: Muneeb Ul Islam)

Fayaz was popular among the troops. During his time at the NDA, he was a part of the hockey team. He also enjoyed volleyball.