Baramulla, Jan 09 (KNO): The family of Ishfaq Khatana, one of the deceased army porters who lost his life after slipping into Nallah in Gulmarg hills, has appealed to the Government of India (GoI) for financial assistance.
Khatana, his family said, was their sole breadwinner. He is survived by his wife, two young children and elderly parents.
"We have lost our only source of livelihood. I am old and unable to work. We have been left at the mercy of God," the deceased's father, Jamal-Ud-Din, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO). He urged the government to support them.
Neighbours, narrating the family concerns, described the Khatana's death as a tragedy not just for his family, but for the entire village.
"It was the family's poor financial condition that compelled Ishfaq to work in such tough terrain where life is full of risks," one of the neighbours said. "We hope the Government of India takes note of the family's situation."
On Thursday evening, two army porters slipped into Nallah while enroute to Anita Post in the Gulmarg hills, the cut-off area due to snowfall.
The duo was identified as Ishfaq Ahmed Khatana and Layakat Ahmed Deedard, both natives of Chandoosa village—(KNO)