Rajeev Kumar Singh/Chhapra (Bihar)

A pall of gloom descended on Chhapra, a city in Bihar, on Monday as teary-eyed Hindus, Muslims, relatives, family and strangers to Mohammad Imtiyaz, BSF Sub-Inspector, who laid down his life in the line of duty while defending India against Pakistan on the border in Jammu and Kashmir, bid him a farewell. 

Mohammad Imtiyaz, a resident of Narayanpur village in Garkha block of Chhapra district, was martyred in the LOC skirmish with Pakistan on May 10. He was posted on the international border in Ranbirsinh Pura sector in Jammu. According to a Border Security Force (BSF) official, Sub-Inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz led the front bravely and made the supreme sacrifice. 

He was buried with military honours in the cemetery located in Narayanpur village of Gadkha block of Saran district amid chanting of “Bharat Mata ki Jai” (Hail, mother India!). People showered their floral tributes on Imtiyaz's body.

Mohammad Imtiyaz is survived by his wife, two sons, and two daughters.

BSF said Mohammad Imtiyaz led from the front in the post on X:

We salute the supreme sacrifice made by BSF #Braveheart Sub Inspector Md Imteyaz in service of the nation on 10 May 2025 during cross border firing along the International Boundary in R S Pura area, District Jammu.

While leading a BSF border out post, he gallantly led from the… pic.twitter.com/crXeVFSgUZ

— BSF JAMMU (@bsf_jammu) May 10, 2025

As soon as the news of Mohammad Imtiyaz's martyrdom reached his home, initially his village and later the entire district went into mourning. A large crowd gathered outside his house; people were trying to show their sympathy to the family and gratitude to the brave son of the soil. 

As a tricolor wrapped coffin with Imtiyaz’s body reached the village for final rites on Sunday evening, his family was in shock and yet proud of his sacrifice for the nation.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar visited the family. He spoke with them and announced a financial assistance of Rs 50 lakh to the family. Officials later said that Rs 21 lakh will come from the coffers of the Bihar government and Rs 29 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

The Chief Minister remained with the martyr's family - wife Shahnaz Azim, daughters, Benazir Khatoon and Farida Khatoon and sons Imran and Imad Raza.

Nitish Kumar spoke with the family for about five minutes. During this, the family demanded that government facilities like the health center or a road be named after the martyred son of the soil.

They also wanted a memorial to be raised in his name and a government job for his older son.

The Chief Minister asked the officials present to note these down and implement the same.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav tweeted on his X handle that salute and crores of salutes to the bravery and sacrifice of the brave BSF sub-inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz sahab, a resident of Chapra, Bihar, who sacrificed his life for the security of the country on the international border in Jammu. The countrymen will always salute his bravery, valor, courage, sacrifice, and patriotism.

Jammu Fighter wrote on social media X: We salute the supreme sacrifice made by the brave BSF sub-inspector Mohammad Imtiyaz in the service of the nation during the cross-border firing on the international border in RS Pura, District Jammu on 10 May 2025.

Imran, son of martyr Mohammad Imtiyaz, says, “Our father has made a sacrifice, and we are very proud of our father and all the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for this country.

BSF SI Mohmmad Imtiyaz martyred during cross-firing at the Jammu and Kashmir border. All forces and people salute his supreme sacrifice.#ceasefire #JammuKashmir pic.twitter.com/IMW06dikzd

— The Lost Tales of Kashmir (@iKashmirTales) May 13, 2025

I salute them all. Salute to all of them. I want Pakistan to get severe punishment.”BSF Director General and officers of all ranks have expressed their deepest condolences to the family of Mohammad Imtiyaz. 

The whole country stands with his family in this hour of grief. There is mourning in the village, but at the same time, there is pride that their son was martyred for this country.

From the family of martyr Imtiyaz, his one brother Mohammad Mustafa is also serving in the army and is currently posted in Meghalaya.

Imtiyaz’s Son Mohammad Imran Raza is working in Patna PMCH, and younger son Imdad Raza studies in Delhi and is preparing for UPSC. 

Son Imdad is determined to succeed in UPSC and fulfill his martyred father's dreams.