Hyderabad, March 17, 2024 — Today, the heart of Hyderabad weighed heavy as the final rites of Mohammad Asfan unfolded at Masjid-e-Qutub Shahi in Bazar Guard. Asfan’s promising life was abruptly cut short by a fatal bullet at the Ukrainian border, plunging his family and the community into profound grief.
Under the watchful gaze of the sun, mourners, gripped by sorrow, gathered in multitudes to pay their respects and offer prayers for Asfan’s departed soul. Among them stood Asaduddin Owaisi, MP and AIMIM Chief, sharing in the collective mourning.
Asfan, employed as a store manager at Allen Solley, was enticed by the allure of a prosperous opportunity in Russia. However, what seemed like a hopeful journey to Moscow swiftly turned sinister as he and others found themselves unwittingly thrust into the turmoil of Ukraine under the pretext of aiding the Russian military.
The narrative of Asfan’s journey, commencing in November the previous year, met a tragic denouement at the border, leaving behind a tapestry of unanswered queries and unfulfilled aspirations. Recounting their final exchange on December 31 via video call, Asfan’s brother, Imran, disclosed the grim reality of his brother’s injury, underscoring the dire need for governmental intervention.
Swift action from the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in Russia ensured Asfan’s mortal remains were repatriated to his grieving family in Hyderabad. Yet, Asfan’s ordeal serves as a stark emblem of a larger issue. Many Indian nationals have been ensnared by deceptive recruitment schemes, coerced into serving alongside the Russian Army, prompting vehement condemnation and decisive measures from Indian authorities.
In the wake of Asfan’s untimely demise, the nation grapples not only with the loss of a cherished son but also with the sobering realities of deceptive practices and the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking prosperity beyond borders. As his memory reverberates through the corridors of grief, it stands as a poignant reminder of the profound human toll exacted by conflict and exploitation.
