Describing himself as an army man “till grave”, Honorary Captain Mohammed Ilyas Ahmed even after his retirement helps in training troops to face avalanches in the higher reaches of the Kashmir.
Hailing from remote village of Tangdhar in north Kashmir,Ahmed retired from the army’s Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 2016 after 31years of service in the mountains.
But the motto of his regiment – ¬BalidanamVirLakshanam(sacrifice is a characteristic of the brave) — remained etched on his mindeven after he hung up his boots.
“An army man is always an army man till thegraveyard,” said 63-year-old Ahmed, whose services were utilised in thefirst week of this month by the army when an avalanche hit its camp in Tangdhararea.
“Duty towards the nation and the army comesfirst,” Ahmed, who retired as NaibSubedar and was later made HonoraryCaptain, told PTI.
Running a condiment business post-retirement, Ahmed, fatherof two daughters and a son, was quick to pack his bags after the army post inTangdhar requested him to lead a rescue team to a forward post along the Lineof Control.
The team had to walk for five hours on a severely difficultterrain and in extreme weather conditions to participate in the rescue efforts.
“Unfortunately, we could rescue only one person alivewhile three other brave soldiers had fallen to nature’s fury even before wearrived,” said Ahmed, who was conferred with ‘Chinar Corps Medallion’ byKashmir-based XV corps Lt Gen K J S Dhilon at a function on Saturday.
Lt Gen Dhillon said the medal was given to him inrecognition of his exemplary services, dedication and commitment even after hisretirement.
“He (Ahmed) is a living example and a true hero who notonly represents the best traditions of the army but also of Kashmiriyat. Peoplelike him will always be a role model for today’s youth in the Kashmirvalley,” Lt Gen Dhillon said.
Decorated with two Sena medals and five times with the Chiefof Army Staff’s (COAS) Commendation, Ahmed’s services have been tapped by theArmy to use his experience in training crucial Avalanche Rescue Teams (ARTs)before the winters set in.
Heunflinchingly gave a lot of his personal time and this year he missedcelebrating Eid with his family as he was out training the ARTs, said anofficer of the regiment.
“Once an army man, always an army man” he saidwith sparkle in his eyes.
Tangdhar is a part of Karnah tehsil in Kupwara, a placeknown for its walnuts. “When I was young, I used to wave at the army convoyspassing by and always had a dream of being one of them someday,” Ahmedrecalled.
He is also part of a club in the army, known as ‘SevenThousanders’, of those who have climbed above the height of 7,000 meters. Ahmedhas scaled peaks like Kamet, AbiGamain, Mana, Nun Kun and SaserKangri.
He has been an instructor at the prestigious High AltitudeWarfare School (HAWS) at Gulmarg and Siachen Battle School and has alsoparticipated in Operation Vijay along with a very renowned infantry unit.
Not used to rest and relaxation, he has been running thebusiness in his hometown. His two daughters are professionals in the bankingsector and medical field and his son helps him in business.
He has been at the forefront of social work for the people of Tangdhar and has been motivating the next generation towards positivity, says the officer.