This is the mother of class 9 (15-year-old) student Asif Ahmad Wani, a resident of Bachin Beerwah, Budgam, holding up his photo on her mobile phone. He was critically injured by unexploded ordnance while playing in the Tosamaidan meadow. The meadow about 45 kms from Srinagar was used from 1964 until 2014 by the Indian Army as an artillery firing range. Apparently & so predictably, they did not take necessary precautions in clearing the land. Since 1964, about 70 Kashmiris, mainly shepherds & children, have lost their limbs in the meadow due to unexploded ordnance.
Family members of young Asif report that he is being operated on at SKIMS hospital & is in critical condition from injuries to the head. Please remember him in your prayers that he may have a full & speedy recovery.
(Photo by Kamran Yousuf, posted May 27, 2020)