The Hindu : Front Page : City-based Major killed in Kashmir

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Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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City-based Major killed in Kashmir

Staff Reporter

He was leading an assault team of soldiers to fight terrorists

— PHOTO: NAGARA GOPAL

Sharing grief: Relatives and friends call on the parents of Major K. P. Vinay Kumar at his house in Hyderabad on Tuesday evening.

HYDERABAD: An Army officer from Hyderabad, K.P. Vinay Kumar, was shot dead in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday morning while fighting terrorists.

A pall of gloom descended on the 30-year-old Major’s house here at Bhavani colony of Rajendranagar as news broke out about his death. His marriage was incidentally scheduled this month-end.

On a tip-off about the movement of terrorists, the Major rushed to Tangmarg of Baramulla district leading an assault team of soldiers. As they cordoned off the house in which the terrorists were holed up, the latter opened fire leaving the Major dead. “The unit officer told me over phone that a bullet pierced through his eye. Death was instant,” Kumar’s elder brother Vikram told The Hindu struggling to control his tears.

Kumar’s aged parents, who were busy with the marriage arrangements, were shell-shocked.

His father K. Prabhakar, a retired Government employee and mother Jayashri, almost fainted after their elder son broke the news. Hailing from Bangalore, Prabhakar moved to Hyderabad 20 years ago after joining the National Academy of Agriculture Research Management. He retired two years ago.

Kumar was in eighth standard when his family came to Hyderabad. He joined Vasavi Public School in Himayathangar and completed Intermediate course from A.V. College Domalguda. Later, he joined the National Defence Academy in 1994 and rose to the position of Major.

Calm but courageous, Kumar preferred the Army despite having the option of joining the Air Force. He was posted in Kashmir to serve in the anti-insurgent operations for the mandatory two-year period that was to expire in October next.

Real heroes

“Our cricketers are being described as super heroes. But one should not forget about people like my brother who are the real heroes,” said Vikram. The Major’s body will be flown in by Wednesday evening. Cremation will be held with full military honours here.

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