Tragedy

Both legs amputated after being hit by mortar shell along LoC, Syed Nadir worries for his family

Srinagar: Inside Ward number 6 of Sher- i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Science (SKIMS) Soura, 45-year-old Syed Nadir Hussain is motionless on the hospital bed. Both his legs were amputated a month ago. On November 13, Syed’s life turned upside down when he was hit by a shell fired from across the LoC.

When recently the LoC flared up, and big guns were being fired from both sides, a father of four daughters, Syed along with three others was unloading a ration truck at ration ghat in Bandi Sari road of Kamalkote village of Uri.

A mortar shell fired from the Pakistani side exploded next to them.

Syed lost both his legs and the two others, Tahir Ahmad and Irshad Ahmed, died on spot. One more person suffered minor injuries.

“I along with some others was unloading a ration truck when a shell hit the ground with a loud bang. Everyone was running for their life. When we started running for cover, another shell hit us and we fell on the ground. Two of my friends were lying dead the ground in a pool of blood,” recalled Syed, who used to work as a labourer at the ration store.

“I couldn’t feel my legs. After that, I don’t know what happened till I opened my eyes in the hospital,” he said.

ALSO READ: After fatal fall, villagers at LoC fear fretful winter

Syed has undergone two major surgeries in SKIMS with the cost of Rs 3.5 lakh along with the medicinal expenses.

“He was the only earning hand in his family. He had four daughters and a son. The elder daughter is 23-year-old and the three daughters are studying in first year, 10th, and 9th class respectively. His son is also studying in 12th class,” said Muneer Hussain, elder brother of Syed.

Baramulla Administration has given a compensation of Rs 40,000 and rest of the expenses have been managed by taking a loan from the relatives and friends, says Muneer.

“Government told us that they will take care of the medical expenses but they have only given Rs 40,000 till now. Every day his medicines amount to Rs 10,000. How can a labourer manage such a huge amount,” his cousin, Syed Murtaza told Free Press Kashmir.

“He has been shifted to room from ICU but doctors are telling us that it will take lot of time to heal his wounds. There is infection in his left leg and doctors are observing his condition,” Murtaza added.

Syed worries for his family, which is now going into debt to keep him alive.

Sub District Magistrate, Riyaz Malik said that his compensation case has been submitted and is under active consideration.

“The amount of compensation will depend on the degree of disability. We have already mentioned in the report about his financial condition and government may consider his case for granting job but I am not sure about it,” he added.

 

Free Press Kashmir is now on Telegram. Click here to Join
FPK Android App for 2G. Click here to Download

Click to comment
To Top