Poonch Tiger’s family celebrates Vijay Diwas

Mohd Hanif, the father of Rifleman Aurangzeb who was abducted and later killed by terrorists in Pulwama’s Gusoo last month, on Thursday celebrated Vijay Diwas along with his wife, Raj Bi, by unfurling national flag in the courtyard of his house in Poonch.

A group of physically challenged men and women, hailing from Gujarat, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra led by Mumbai-based businessman Nilotpal Mrinal, had travelled all the way to Aurangzeb’s native village to join the family members on this momentous occasion.

To welcome the members of the group the house was decorated with national flags and posters of Aurangzeb ‘Tiger’.

In his brief message Nilotpal said, “Aim behind meeting family of braveheart Aurangzeb was to send a strong message to the martyrs’ families”. “We wanted to convey our feelings that even the weakest section of the society is standing behind them and acknowledging sacrifices of these brave soldiers,” he added.

Expressing his gratitude in support of the 30-member group Mohd Hanif said, “I thank them for this unique gesture. I am grateful. They visited my house and stood behind me. At the same time i want to tell everyone not a single minister from Srinagar visited me to pay tributes to my son”.

“Kisi ne koi saalam bhi nahin kiya”, dejected Mohd Hanif said while interacting with the mediapersons in his house.

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat had earlier visited his house in Poonch to paid tributes to the brave soldier in June 2018.

Remembering his son Mohd Hanif, himself an ex-serviceman, said, “His son was a brave soldier and was killed by terrorists by tying down his hands.” He was all alone and they were a group of terrorists. Still they feared him. He was a disciplined soldier and had earned appreciation of his seniors in the unit.

Mohd Hanif said, “More than one month has passed but i am still restless”. “I want to avenge the killing of my son. I don’t want Indian army to take revenge. I will fight myself, if i am allowed to do so. I will trace them out. Those who killed my son are still around. They are not dead. I will myself trace them one day”.

Raj Bi while remembering his son said, “He was a devout Muslim”. He offered prayers five times a day and never touched non-vegetarian food in the Army mess.

“He was fond of consuming milk products, butter and ghee and used to enjoy with his friends during holidays,” she recollected while standing next to his picture collage.

“Before joining his duty he had promised me that he would organise my Haj pilgrimage. I was planning his marriage but he disappeared in front of my eyes,” Raj Bi added.