Patna: The mortal remains of BSF Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiaz, who was martyred in Pakistan Army firing along the International Border on May 9, was brought to Patna on Monday morning, where senior political leaders paid their respects. Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, along with ministers Shrawon Kumar and Nitin Nabin, paid floral tributes at the airport before the mortal remains were taken by road to his native village, Narayanpur, in Chapra district for burial with full state honours.
Imtiaz, a resident of Garkha police station area in Chapra, succumbed to injuries sustained from a bullet wound in his leg during heavy cross-border shelling in the RS Pura sector. The ceasefire violation by Pakistan forces shattered the fragile truce along the Line of Control, reigniting tensions that have since led to political debate nationwide.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar paid tribute to the fallen officer on X, writing, “The country will always remember his martyrdom. He will be laid to rest with police honours by the state government.”
After being flown to Delhi late Sunday night, Imtiaz’s mortal remains were accorded honours in Jammu and Kashmir before being sent to Patna. His burial in the village cemetery will follow Muslim rites, though the family is awaiting the arrival of his younger brother, Mohammad Aslam, also a BSF sub-inspector, before finalising funeral arrangements.
According to family members, Imtiaz had last spoken to his wife, Shaheen Azima, just hours before the attack, expressing concern over escalating tensions in Kashmir. His nephew, Amjad, shared that Imtiaz had always dreamt of serving in the armed forces and had inspired his brother to join the BSF.
Villagers remembered him not only as a soldier but as a mentor to local youth, often encouraging them to join the armed services. “He used to say that after retirement, he would return to the village, do farming and start a business,” said his maternal uncle, Shamsuddin.
Preparations for the funeral are complete, with the administration stepping up arrangements around the family’s home and ensuring crowd management as large numbers of villagers are expected to gather to pay their final respects.
