An Army officer from Kashmir was abducted and shot dead by militants in Shopian district where he had gone to attend the wedding ceremony of a relative. His bullet riddled body was found in Harmain area of Shopian this morning.

A police official said Lieutenant Umer Fayaz was abducted by five to six militants from his relative’s house in south Kashmir’s Shopian last night. Hailing from Kulgam district, Fayaz was in the Infantry and was posted in Akhnoor area in Jammu. He was commissioned in the Army in December last year.

An army official said, The Army salutes the braveheart and stands by the bereaved family in this hour of tragedy. He added army is committed to bring the perpetrators of this heinous act of terror to justice.

Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has condemned the killing of Lt. Ummer Fayaz in Shopian. In a tweet message Mr. Jaitley said abduction and murder of Lt. Ummer Fayaz by terrorists is a dastardly act of cowardice.

He said this young officer from Jammu & Kashmir was a role model and an exceptional sportsman. Mr Jaitley said he will continue to inspire youth from the Valley.

The Minister said Fayyaz’s sacrifice reiterates nation’s commitment to eliminate terrorism from the Valley. The Minister said he shares the grief of family of Lt. Ummer Fayaz & stand in solidarity.