New Delhi, Patna: BSF Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz, who was martyred on May 10 in Pakistani firing in the RS Pura sector of Jammu and Kashmir, was given a hero’s farewell on Monday. His funeral was conducted with full state honours, including a guard of honour. Grief-stricken villagers gathered in large numbers to bid farewell to their brave son. Prior to the burial, funeral prayers were held amidst chants of “Shaheed Mohammad Imtiyaz Amar Rahe,” “Hindustan Zindabad,” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai.”, reported the Dawat News.
As the mortal remains reached his native village Narayanpur in Jalal Basant Panchayat under Garkha police station of Saran district, a massive crowd had already gathered. The journey from Patna to Garkha witnessed tributes at hundreds of locations. Thousands of people lined up along the two-kilometre route to catch a final glimpse of the martyr, waving the national flag and continuously raising patriotic slogans.
At Patna Airport, a tribute ceremony was held where Bihar’s Minister for Rural Development Shrawan Kumar, Minister Nitin Nabin, BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal, Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, and several other dignitaries paid floral tributes and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
Imtiyaz’s son, Imran Raza, recalled his last conversation with his father. “He was a strong man and I am very proud of him. I spoke to him at 5:30 AM on May 10. He was injured in the right leg in a drone attack. That was the last time we spoke,” he said. “I want the Indian government to give Pakistan a befitting reply so that no son has to lose his father like this.”
A video of the funeral is going viral, showing an Islamic scholar paying tribute to the martyr. The scholar highlighted Imtiyaz’s bravery and his ultimate sacrifice for the nation, while strongly rebuking those who question the patriotism of Muslims. “Today, the martyrdom of Mohammad Imtiyaz is a testimony that Muslims love their country more than their own lives. They hold the nation dear to their hearts and souls,” he said.
A massive turnout was witnessed at the funeral, as people from far and wide came to pay their respects to the fallen hero.
