Ranjit Thakur

Jammu, July 23

To keep his legacy alive, two younger brothers of slain rifleman Aurangzeb, Mohammed Tariq (22) and Mohammed Shabbir (18), have joined the Territorial Army.

Aurangzeb was abducted from Pulwama by militants and later, his bullet-ridden body was recovered last year. Aurangzeb was proceeding towards his home for Eid when he was abducted in broad daylight from a vehicle.

Mohammad Haneef, 56, himself an ex-Army man, said, “I have proudly dedicated my elder son to Mother India. I am a man of strong will and have prepared two of my younger sons too to serve in the Army. They have recently got selected for training in Ramgarh, Ranchi. I also believe that this is the only way to provide solace to the proud soul of my martyred son.”

He said, “I would ask each Indian to send their children in the Army as our sole motive should be to extradite the intruders from the country. I also want my other two sons to join the Army. They have got admission at Sainik School.”

“My son Aurangzeb is no longer just my son, he is the son of every Indian. I had support from the government and my countrymen. They all helped me through difficult times,” he added. I would also say, “My son has taught me to live one day at a time and make the most of everything you do and believe. We stand proud in the midst of pain.”