Srinagar, Feb 03: An ex-Army man was killed, and his wife and niece were injured in a terrorist attack in the Behibagh area of south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday.
The attack occurred when terrorists opened fire on Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, his wife, and niece in Behibagh. The victims were immediately rushed to the hospital, but Wagay succumbed to his injuries, while his wife and niece were reported to be in stable condition.
An Army spokesman confirmed that three civilians—Manzoor Ahmad Wagay (39, Ex-Serviceman), his wife Aina Akhtar (32), and his niece Saina Hameed (13)—were shot at by terrorists in Behibagh, Wuzur, Kulgam.
The spokesman stated: “Manzoor succumbed to his injuries, while the others have been evacuated to the District Hospital Anantnag. This cowardly act of terror was carried out by inimical elements who are against the peace and prosperity that the Kashmir of today represents.”
The spokesman further emphasized the brutality of the attack, saying that even an innocent woman and child were not spared. A joint cordon and search operation has been launched in Behibagh in response.
A senior health official at GMC Anantnag provided further details on the victims’ conditions. The slain ex-army man, identified as Manzoor Ahmad Wagay, was declared dead on arrival due to a bullet wound in the midline back, near the epigastric area. His wife, Ayna (38), sustained a bullet injury to her left leg just above the knee but is stable. His niece, Saniya (16), was injured with a bullet wound to her right wrist and is also stable.
Waseem Ahmad, a close friend of Wagay, expressed grief over the attack: “He was a humble man, a lone bread-earner for his family of six. Why was he killed? He was just doing his work, peacefully.” He described the killing as a “cold-blooded murder” and said that Wagay was the hope of the family.
Mohammad Usman, another relative, expressed sorrow, saying, “It’s painful to see the family like this. He had never harmed anyone in his life. Why did they kill him? This has broken us.”
Hundreds of people attended Wagay’s funeral prayers in Behibagh later that evening. Amidst moist eyes, his body was laid to rest in the ancestral graveyard around 8 p.m., with the local Imam leading the prayers.
In response to the attack, a police officer confirmed that a massive search operation has been launched in the area. Additional reinforcements have been deployed, and drones and sniffer dog squads have been dispatched to trace the terrorists responsible. “The Special Operations Group of police, along with Army and CRPF teams, are conducting searches. All routes have been closed, and the area has been placed on high alert,” the officer added.
LG, CM condemn terror attack
Jammu, Feb 03: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah have strongly condemned the heinous terrorist attack on an ex-serviceman and his family in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday.
“I strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on Manzoor Ahmad Wagay and his family in Kulgam. The entire nation stands in solidarity with the bereaved family in this hour of grief. I have instructed the officials to provide the best possible treatment to the injured. Praying for their speedy recovery. I assure the people that the perpetrators of this cowardly attack will be punished soon”, the Lieutenant Governor said.
CM Abdullah expressed condolences to the family and said “I am deeply saddened by the tragic killing of ex-serviceman Manzoor Ahmad Wagay Sahab in Kulgam. My heartfelt condolences to his family and prayers for the swift recovery of his injured wife and daughter.”
He added that such heinous violence has no place in our society and must be condemned in the strongest terms. “May peace and justice prevail,” the CM added.
