Survived by his wife and two sons, Mudasir Ahmad was preparing for his life post retirement.
On the veranda of a single storey house, Mohammad Afzal Rather, 75, is tending to people who are making beeline to offer condolences to him over the death of his son Naik Mudasir Ahmad at the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu division's Rajouri district.
From discussing Mudasir's childhood to his life as a soldier, Afzal is proudly telling visitors his son's journey of his son. "He had called his mother and assured her that he is safe. I was listening to news when he called up. On Monday morning his friend came and broke the sad news to us," he told DNA.
Mudasir, 37, of Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry, had joined the forces because he had a passion for uniform. And that is why one fine morning he left his school to join the army and luckily he was selected in the first go.
Survived by his wife and two sons, he was preparing for his life post retirement. Mudasir was also going to celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary next month.
"He had built a house and recently refurbished it. He had planned to shift there with his family after retirement," said his father.
Mudasir was on leave for two months and despite Tral being a high militancy infested area, he used to move freely without any fear. "He was a very lovable man. In fact, this village is home to many soldiers and some have risen to high ranks in the army. Now, not many youth from the area want to join the army," said a local resident here.
A pall of gloom had descended on the household with relatives and neighbours pouring in to offer their condolences. An inconsolable wife, a distraught mother, a shell-shocked father and a stunned son are unable to believe that their warrior has been killed.
Naik Mudasir's son Burhan, a class third student, broke down when he saw his mother crying. Unable to comprehend what is happening he refused to be photographed after his mother broke down. Naik Mudasir's body will be flown to Victor force headquarters at Awantipora on Tuesday. Later, he will be laid to rest with full military honours at his village.
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