Truck driver, aide killed in Kashmir, second this month

ALWAR/BHARATPUR : A truck driver and his associate from Rajasthan were killed and their truck burnt in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, said officials. The driver is from Alwar and the associate, from Bharatpur.

This is second truck driver from Rajasthan to have been killed in Kashmir. On October 14, Shareef Khan, 40, of Ubhaka village in Bharatpur was killed when he was bringing apples from Shopian.

Alwar’s additional district magistrate Ram Charan Sharma said Illiyas Khan, 45, of Alwar was killed by t errorists on Thursday evening when three trucks, including that of Khan, were attacked. “We have sent documents related to Illiyas to the J&K government,” he said.

Tehsildar of Kishangarh Bas Hemendra Goyal, who was in the village , said, “These people are from an extremely poor family background. They do not have any lan. Illiyas was in driving profession for the last 20 years. He has four kids and administration will help the victims’ family in any way possible.

The victim’s 15-year-old son Sakir said, “My father 4-5 days back took the truck to Jammu and Kashmir and was supposed to return with apple but last night we got information that he has been killed by the terrorist and since then the family is in mourning.” The elder brother of the deceased said. “Illiyas called his wife at 4 pm on Thursday only and told I have picked up the appels from Jammu and Kashmir and will be returning home soon but his assurance will now never be completed.”

AICC secretary Jubair Khan said Illiyas’s associate, Zahid Khan, 25, of Bharatpur, was also killed on the spot. “Terrorist attacked three trucks on Thursday evening at Shopian. Truck driver Illiyas of Alwar distrist and Zahid Khan died on the spot. Jaheed belongs to Bharatpur district. One more person of second truck was also killed while others ran away from the spot,”

Jubair Khan, who spoke to J&K officials, said.

According to information, Illiyas is from Pahada village under Sadar police station of Alwar, and Zahid belongs to Papad village under Gopalgarh police station of Bharatpur district.

Jubair Khan said that the truck had gone to supply milk to Army in J&K. “They were coming with apples in their truck. Around 4pm, they were attacked by terrorist in Shopian. Both died on the spot,” he added.

In Bharatpur, the district administration informed Zahid’s family about the incident.

“Zahid had spoken to his family on Thursday evening. Gopalgarh SHO Ram Naresh Meena informed the family around 11pm about the terrorist attack,” said sarpanch Lukman Khan.

SHO said the police control room of Alwar told Bharatpur police control about the incident.

Tahsildars from Alwar and Bharatpur left for Delhi to bring the bodies, which are expected to reach the natives villages on Friday night.