Pakistan's ISI behind killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb in Shopian, claim intelligence sources

JAMMU: Pakistan's notorious spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) may be behind the abduction and cold-blooded killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb, whose bullet-ridden body was found in J&K's Kalampora in Pulwama district hours after he was kidnapped at the gunpoint.

Intelligence sources have told Zee Media that Pakistan's all-powerful ISI is rattled with the anti-terror operations being carried out by the Indian army against terrorist groups waging a 'jihad' for the liberation of Kashmir. 

The sources also claimed that the plan to kidnap and kill Aurangzeb was executed at the behest of the ISI to teach a ''lesson to the Indian security forces''.

With Aurangzeb's brutal killing, the Pakistan-backed terrorists have sent a strong message to the authorities that they will not be deterred by the ongoing anti-terror operations in the Kashmir Valley.

The jawan was chosen by the ISI-backed terrorists to discourage the Kashmiri youths from joining the Indian Army or other para-military forces, the sources claimed.

Hours after his abduction on Thursday, Aurangzeb's bullet-ridden body was found by a team of police and Army at Gussu village, about 10-km away from Kalampora, in Pulwama district. 

He was shot in his head and neck.

Reacting to the killing of the jawan, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah tweeted, "Another piece of terrible news to add to an already horrible day. May Aurangzeb rest in peace. Allah Jannat naseeb karay(sic)."

Another piece of terrible news to add to an already horrible day. May Aurangzeb rest in peace. Allah Jannat naseeb karay. https://t.co/n2hjzT0R7c — Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) June 14, 2018

The Army jawan, who was involved in the encounter of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Sameer Tiger, was a resident of Poonch. He was on his way back home after completing his duty when he was surrounded by a group of heavily-armed terrorists and taken away at gunpoint. 

He was travelling onboard a bus and headed towards his home when he was abducted.

As soon as the report of his kidnapping came in, the Jammu and Kashmir Police launched a search for him and informed 23 Rashtriya Rifles, with which the jawan was attached.

The jawan was abducted and killed weeks after he, as part of an Army team, gunned down two dreaded Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists in Pulwama. 

Sameer Ahmad Bhat alias Sameer Tiger, who was the local Hizbul Mujahideen commander, was killed in the encounter at the Drubgam village of Pulwama district in May.

Following his abduction, his mother had appealed to the terrorists to release his son, saying she wanted to celebrate Eid with him.

Aurangzeb’s family has had the history of serving Indian armed forces. While his father retired from the Indian Army, his uncle had died in the line of duty fighting terrorists in 2004.

The jawan’s brother is also an Indian Army soldier. He will be laid to rest with full state honours on Friday.

(With Agency inputs)