LUCKNOW: The family of Unnao labourer Mukesh Kumar (38), who was shot dead by terrorists in Pulwama on Monday, was unaware of the tragedy that had struck them till TOI contacted local Asoha police station and showed them the victim’s photo and Aadhaar card.
The family found it difficult to accept that Mukesh was no more as he had talked to his wife Kusma early on Monday itself.
Sole breadwinner for his family of five, the victim hailed from Bhatpura village, 40 km away from the state capital. His family lives in a hut of brick walls and thatched roof.
Wife and kids of Mukesh Kumar, 38, who was shot dead by unidentified terrorists in Kashmir's Pulwama early on Monday, in Unnao's Bhatpura village.
His eldest daughter, Nisha, 18, was at her maternal grandmother’s home, when news about her father’s death reached her. Mukesh’s other children, Pankaj (12), Khushi (10) and Ankush (8), all are now in a state of shock.
According to Kashmir police, Mukesh was shot dead by unidentified terrorists at Tumchi village of Pulwama district in South Kashmir on Monday morning.
“He was worried about his daughter’s marriage, as the family had no money to fund it. So, he went to Kashmir for a better earning opportunity four months ago. On Monday morning, he interacted with his wife and had told her that he would deposit some cash in their bank account,” said Suresh Kumar, the victim’s nephew.
Bhatpura gram pradhan Shivbhan Yadav said, “The victim’s family is extremely poor. It’s really tragic that an innocent man who never hurt anyone or spoke ill about anyone was shot dead by terrorists for no reason.”
Asoha SHO Suresh Kumar Singh said, “It was the file photo and Aadhaar shared by TOI, which helped us in identifying the victim’s family and conveying the terrible news.”
“Mukesh’s body would be flown from Srinagar and will be handed over to his family for cremation. The post-mortem and FIR, all mandatory legal proceedings, have been carried out by Pulwama police,” he added.
