Indian Army officer shot dead in Kashmir

Indian Army officer shot dead in Kashmir

Suspected Kashmiri kidnapped and shot dead an Indian army officer, the Indian military said Wednesday.

Villagers found 23-year-old Ummer Faiyaz’s body early Wednesday, a day after he was snatched by unidentified men at his cousin’s wedding in the southern Shopian area, said army spokesman Col. Rajesh Kalia. He claimed the officer was unarmed.

His bullet-riddled body was recovered Wednesday morning, he said.

The killing comes amid an upsurge in violence in the disputed valley, where rebels opposed to Indian rule have repeatedly attacked government forces and banks in recent weeks.

Last week the Indian army launched a massive search operation in southern Kashmir to hunt for ‘militants’.