Porter from Boniyar killed in Butapathri attack was sole breadwinner for ailing family

Baramulla, Oct 25: A few months ago when Mushtaq Ahmad Chowdhary, 29, who was killed in the militant attack in Butapathri in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday evening, was selected as casual porter with the Army, the Chowdhary family felt some respite from unending sufferings.

However, the respite ended on Thursday after Mushtaq was killed in the Butapathri attack, leaving the family of five members devastated.

Mushtaq was the lone breadwinner for the family, whose head – his father, is suffering from chronic cancer.

Mushtaq was the only hope for his parents, a 3-year-old kid and wife.

On Thursday evening as the news of Chowdhary’s death spread in the area, a pall of gloom descended in the remote village of Boniyar tehsil.

People from all walks of life started to pour into the village to console the devastated family members.

“We are in a state of shock,” their neighbour, Abdul Rashid said. “The devastation is unimaginable. He was the only hope of his ailing father. Besides, his death has left a woman widowed and a 3-year-old child orphaned.”

Wailing over the death of her husband, the wife of the deceased porter holding her three-year-old son in her lap is cursing the poverty which drove him away from the family to take up the job of the Army’s porter.

“Who will bring him back now? My child is yet to enjoy the father’s love. My father-in-law is waiting for the medicine for his chronic disease. How will I face all such challenges,” she cried.

Mushtaq’s life was one of constant struggles and sacrifices.

Working as a daily labourer, he found it nearly impossible to make ends meet and take care of his ailing parents, wife, and three-year-old son.

Desperate for a better income, Mushtaq seized the opportunity to work as a porter with the Army a few months ago, hopeful it would allow him to provide a stable life for his family and meet his father’s substantial medical expenses.

Despite his challenges, Mushtaq embraced his work with gratitude, finally feeling that he could offer his family a sense of security.

However, this hope was shattered by the Botapathri attack that left his family in mourning.

On Friday, an overwhelming wave of mourners gathered at Hundi, Nowshehra to honour Mushtaq, a man who was deeply respected for his sacrifices for the family.

“Since his father was diagnosed with cancer, he was always looking for better work options. He spent over Rs 10,000 every month on his father’s medical care,” his cousin said.

While all politicians and officials condemned the attack, residents of this remote village called for immediate support for Mushtaq’s family.

“This is about their survival now,” a local said, urging compassionate aid to help Mushtaq’s loved ones to rebuild their lives.