Body Of BSF SI, Martyred At IB In RS Pura, Laid To Rest At Native Village In Bihar

Patna: Emotions ran high as thousands attended the burial of Border Security Force (BSF) sub-inspector Mohammad Imtiaz, martyred during indiscriminate firing by Pakistan at the international border along RS Pura sector in Jammu and Kashmir, at his native Narayanpur village in Saran district of Bihar on Monday evening.

Locals braved a scorching sun and searing heat as the procession carrying Imtiaz's body was taken out from his house. Cries of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Pakistan Murdabad' and 'Shaheed Imtiaz Amar Rahe' filled the air as family members, relatives and locals marched to the graveyard where the SI was laid to rest.

Men, women and children lined the entire route that led to the graveyard, and showered flowers on the procession. The burial was done with full state honours with top district officials and legislators present on the occasion. Overcome by grief, Imtiaz's wife Shaheen Azima fell unconscious on seeing his body.

Azima suffers from hypertension and heart-related ailments and has not been keeping well for some time. She was not informed about her husband's martyrdom earlier and the family only told her about it on the day. “I am proud of my father. I also salute all the martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the country. Pakistan should be taught such a lesson so that nobody ever loses his father or husband or son in my country,” Imtiaz’s son Mohammad Imran Raza said, choking on his tears.

Senior officials with SI Mohammad Imtiaz's family (ETV Bharat)

Raza had gone along with a relative to Jammu to accompany Imtiaz’s body in its final journey. “He had come home during Eid in March and had returned to duty a couple of weeks ago. He had talked to us around 5:30 am on Saturday morning (May 10). We were informed that he had been injured while on duty. He was wounded in his right leg. The same evening, we got to know that he was no more,” Raza added.

Imtiaz had been with the BSF for the last 35 years. He was posted at RS Pura just six months ago and was looking forward towards retirement and had plans to settle down as a farmer at his native place. He is survived by his two sons and two daughters. One of his younger brothers is also in the BSF.

“It is time to take decisive action against Pakistan. It should be wiped out of the map. We cannot allow it to keep harming our country,” Imtiaz’s younger brother Mohammad Aslam said. Earlier in the morning, Imtiaz’s body arrived at the Patna airport as a part of his last journey home.

Several Bihar ministers, leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Dilip Kumar Jaiswal, Janata Dal United (JDU) state president Umesh Kushwaha, legislators, and senior officials were present at the airport to receive the martyr’s mortal remains. “Imtiaz was killed while giving a befitting reply to Pakistan at the international border. We are safe today because of brave people like him. The country will always remember our soldiers' sacrifice,” Yadav said.

State Rural Development Minister Sharwan Kumar added, “Imtiaz’s sacrifice did not go in vain. Our brave soldiers avenged it.” Meanwhile, Imtiaz’s family has demanded a school, hospital and a memorial in his name.