J&K soldiers to inform units in Valley before going home
The Indian Army has reportedly directed its soldiers to strictly follow the guidelines of informing the Army's local units in Kashmir before going home on leave in the Valley. The direction came after Army officer Ummer Fayaz, who had gone to Kashmir to attend a wedding, was kidnapped and killed by gunmen in Shopian. n
Taking lesson from the killing of the 22-year-old Army officer Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz in Shopian, the Indian Army has directed all soldiers to strictly follow guidelines of informing the local units before going home on leave in the Valley.  Sources in the security establishment said that there is a guideline which local officers or soldiers need to follow in the Valley. As per the guidelines, the Army unit in the area is informed well in advance about officers going on leave if he is from Kashmir. This is with respect to ensuring their safety."There is an existing direction to all heads of Army units across the state to ensure that no soldier/officer leaves his unit until there is a proper go ahead in terms of safety," said a source in the Army.  Lieutenant Ummer Fayaz was kidnapped and killed by gunmen in Shopian on May 10 and his bullet-riddled body was found in Harmain village. He had gone home on leave to attend a cousin's wedding.Lieutenant Fayaz was posted in Akhnoor area of Jammu. As per reports, many soldiers in the Army are from rural areas. Since Fayaz's brutal killing has come as a shock to the Army and the nation, it is expected that the soldiers and officers strictly follow the guidelines. 