The mother of a teenage militant who was killed by government forces in Kulgam’s Laroo village on Sunday is battling for her eyesight at SHMS Hospital in Srinagar, after being hit by a barrage of pellets fired by government forces into her home.
Faata, mother of the 16-year-old militant Owais (Amir), was hit by scores of pellets on Saturday afternoon when she was at her home at DH Pora in Kulgam district. Ruby, a relative of Faata, told Kashmir Reader at SMHS Hospital that early in the afternoon, government forces were chasing youths on the streets of DH Pora.
“In between, there came the sound of someone moaning in pain outside. My aunt along with others went out to see what was happening. As she went out, the forces fired pellets at her, while she was in the lawn of her house,” Ruby said.
She added that Faata was shifted to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar for specialised treatment after doctors at the Kulgam district hospital could not operate on her.
When this reporter visited Faata at SMHS Hospital, she was laid on a stretcher outside the emergency operation theatre. She was calmly battling her pain.
With the loss of Amir, Faata’s family is left now with one son, three daughters, and her husband. Amir’s one sister is working at an Anganwadi centre (rural child health care), another is pursuing her graduation, and the third is doing work at home.
Amir’s brother helps his father in work on the fields.
