Thousands pay last respects to Budgam doc killed in J-K terror attack

October 21, 2024 17:52

Family members and local people mourn death of Dr Shahnawaz, who was killed in terrorist attack/Umar Ganie for Rediff.com

Just two weeks ago, the house echoed with laughter as hundreds gathered for his daughter's wedding.

On Monday, cries of anger and anguish rang through Dr Shahnawaz's Budgam residence and the streets around it, the celebration so quickly giving way to mourning.

Slogans of 'Naara-e-Takbeer, Allahu Akbar' (Allah is the greatest) were heard as many thousands paid their last respects to the 52-year-old killed in a terror attack on Sunday in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The doctor and six labourers were gunned down by terrorists at a tunnel-construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway.

People arrived from Nayidgam in Soibugh area of Budgam and adjoining areas for the Shahnawaz's last rites.

"This has come like a bolt of lightning from the sky. The family was still celebrating the wedding and now this news," said Ali Mohammad, a neighbour of the doctor.

Shahnawaz raised his siblings after the early death of their parents, his sister said.

"He was both our father and mother... Today, we have really been orphaned," she said.

By the time the ambulance carrying the mortal remains of the doctor reached his native village, the mourners' numbers had swelled and they hailed him as a martyr. -- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

3rd Test Updates: Bumrah strikes! Removes Khawaja

One family 'tasted blood'...: Modi tears into Gandhis

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the Congress party, accusing it of repeatedly "wounding" the Indian Constitution. He claimed that the Congress, driven by its "lust for power," has consistently...

BJP ridiculing Savarkar when...: Rahul in Lok Sabha

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized the BJP for claiming to protect the Constitution while citing V D Savarkar's remarks that there was nothing Indian about it. He also drew parallels to the story of 'Eklavya' to illustrate the BJP's...

Protest after girl asked to remove tilak in school

Director General of School Education Jharna Kamthan has also asked the chief education officer of Tehri Garhwal district in Uttarakhand to investigate the matter.

Shut after riots, temple in UP reopened after 46 years

Local residents shared their memories of the temple, with many highlighting its importance as a religious site for the community.