By Tarushi Aswani
New Delhi: “I have served in the forces for 32 years, my brother’s death is the reward for my loyalty” says Noor Ahmed, brother of a civilian who was among the eight people reportedly picked up by the Army for questioning on Friday (December 22).
Ahmed’s brother, Safeer, along with Mohammad Showket and Shabir Ahmad, were found dead near the site of an attack by militants in Poonch district’s Topa Peer village. The gunfight left five soldiers dead and two injured on December 21.
Topa Peer’s locals claim that it was in connection with this attack that soldiers from 48 Rashtriya Rifles picked up at least eight civilians on Friday for questioning.
For Noor Ahmed, all the awards he has achieved during three decades of service mean nothing now.
“My younger brother Safeer has suffered violence; my faith is shaken. Top officials have visited our homes, given us compensation, assured justice, but will we ever get it? My 43-year-old brother has left behind four children, who will raise them?” he told The Wire.
Ahmed also said, “I have served across India, have been a part of the intelligence services; if this can happen to us, how can anyone else be safe?”
Mehmood Ahmed, the village’s sarpanch, said that all three civilians belonged to poverty-stricken families and lived hand to mouth.
This story was originally published in m.thewire.in. Read the full story here .