Grief echoes through Muqam-i-Shahwali as Inspector Asrar Shah makes his final journey

Kupwara, Nov 15: Inspector Asrar-ul-Haq Shah, who lost his life in the accidental blast at Nowgam Police Station, was laid to rest on Saturday evening at his native village Muqam-i-Shahwali in Drugmulla area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. A blanket of sorrow descended on the town as hundreds gathered to pay their final respects.

Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioner Kupwara Shrikant Balasaheb, Senior Superintendent of Police Kupwara Syed Al-Tahir Gilani, Additional Superintendent of Police Javid Ahmad and Assistant Commissioner Revenue Mumtaz Ahmad, attended the funeral prayers alongside locals who had poured in from across the district.

The arrival of Asrar’s body at his ancestral home triggered deeply emotional scenes.

Cries filled the air as the tricolour-draped coffin was carried towards the graveyard.

For the people of Muqam-i-Shahwali, the loss felt personal. “Asrar wasn’t just an officer for us – he was the kind of neighbour who made this village feel safe,” said a resident, struggling to contain his grief. “We have lost a son of the soil. His humility, his soft smile… these lanes will never forget him.”

Recruited as a Sub-Inspector in 2010–2011, Asrar was serving with the State Investigation Agency (SIA). He was known as a calm, dedicated and soft-spoken officer who balanced his duties with unwavering devotion to his family.

A father of three, he was the main support for his elderly parents. “He never raised his voice. After work, he spent most of his time with his children,” a family member said. His father, a retired teacher, stood shattered as villagers tried to console him.

Mourners continued to throng the residence throughout the day, each visit a reminder of the void Inspector Asrar Shah leaves behind in his home and his community.