Major Hamza Arif, who was killed in an SUV collision with a camel in Jaisalmer’s Thaiyat, was given a final farewell by his fellow Army officers on Saturday. He will be laid to rest with full military honours in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The 26-year-old officer had married just a month ago. He had recently returned to duty with his wife after their wedding.
On Thursday night, he was travelling back to his battalion in his newly purchased Tata Safari along with two fellow officers when the accident occurred.
Major Hamza Arif and Delhi resident Jyoti Arora had a love marriage just about a month ago.
Wife kept waiting
According to officials, Major Hamza was living with his wife inside the Army area. At the time of the accident, his wife, Jyoti, was alone at home waiting for him to return from duty.
She collapsed after being informed about the accident. Family members said Hamza and Delhi resident Jyoti Arora had a love marriage and had known each other for several years.
Both families were delighted with the marriage. Relatives in Indore said the henna on Jyoti’s hands had still not faded.
Recently promoted to the rank of Major
Major Hamza, a resident of Dhanvantari Nagar in Indore’s Rajendra Nagar area, was selected for the NDA in 2017, according to his friend Navneet Hardia. After completing his training, he was commissioned as a Lieutenant, later promoted to Captain, and had recently been elevated to the rank of Major.
Friends said he had bought the Tata Safari only a few days ago, and it was the same vehicle involved in the crash.
He is survived by his wife, parents and three sisters. Two of his sisters live in Saudi Arabia. His father is a retired employee of RRCAT.
His fellow officers said that Hamza was a very cheerful person. While paying tribute to him, the eyes of his colleagues became moist.
Final farewell given from Jaisalmer Cantt
Fellow officers described Hamza as a cheerful and warm-hearted person. Many were visibly emotional while paying tribute to him.
Senior Army officers paid floral tributes to Major Hamza Arif at the Jaisalmer Military Station on Saturday morning and accorded him a final Guard of Honour.
His mortal remains were then flown to his hometown of Indore on a special flight, where he will be laid to rest with full military honours on Saturday.
The vehicle had collided with a camel
According to officials, Major Hamza’s Tata Safari collided with a camel, overturned four to five times and skidded for nearly 100 feet.
Lieutenant Ayushman and Lieutenant Abhinav Rathore were also travelling in the SUV. Major Hamza succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the Army Hospital, while both officers continue to receive medical treatment.
The accident occurred near the Army station. The front portion of the SUV was badly damaged, and the camel also died in the collision.
