Srinagar, Nov 12 (KNO): As soon as the ambulance carrying the body of Abida Kounsar, 45-year-old victim of November 3 Srinagar grenade explosion, reached Naidkhai, Sumbal in northern district of Bandipora, the air filled with shrieks and cries. “Don’t cry, she is a martyr. The splinter of Grenade hit her forehead and pierced through her brain. Today she died a martyr’s death,” yelled Abida’s brother Waseem Raja.
Abid was injured on November 3 at TRC (Sunday Market) grenade explosion along with 11 others. She, however, had received serious wounds in her forehead and was treated at SMHS hospital Srinagar where she breathed her lost today (Tuesday).
As per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a pall of gloom descended on the entire Naidkhai area as soon as the body of Abida was taken out of the ambulance. While mourning the death of this mother of three siblings, villagers expressed their sorrow and fear, saying, "There is no safety for Kashmiris. Our neighbour Abida only went to Srinagar for shopping, but death snatched her from us," they said.
"How long will these bullets and grenades keep snatching our loved ones?" the locals questioned. "If Abida had known she would lose her life there, she would have never gone," said Kulsuma, a neighbour.
Aamina Begum, another local, expressed her concern, saying, "Who will take care of her children now? What have those responsible for this achieved?".
"Kashmir is mourning every day. Every family here is grief-stricken," she said.
Waseem Raja, the brother of Abida Kounsar expressed concerns about the safety in Kashmir, questioning why such attacks continue despite heavy security measures.
He urged the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, to ensure formal rehabilitation for the children and take action to prevent further violence.
Another group of women expressed that these killings must end as soon as possible. "What have the attackers achieved by doing this? These killings must stop to end this daily bloodshed," they said.
The lady left behind three minor children, including two sons, Mohammad Hafi and Zuhair Zubair, and a daughter, Aubihiyah Zubair.
Zuhair, the ten-year-old elder son, said that his beloved mother was killed for no reason. "Our Mumma is no more with us," he said. “She wanted to buy me a winter jacket and other winter stuff for my brother and sister.”
Meanwhile, the deceased was laid to rest in Sumbal, where her natal family resides. Hundreds of people attended her last rites, with women wailing in grief, their sobs and tears filling the air as they mourned the loss—(KNO)