Srinagar, Mar 26 (IANS): Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday visited Hajin town in Bandipora district to condole the family of 11-year-old Atif Mir who was killed after being held hostage by two Pakistani LeT militants.

"Returning just now from Hajin where I had gone to condole the death of young Atif. Atif was an 11-year-old boy, the only son of his parents, killed after he was taken hostage by militants last week.

"There can be nothing worse for a father than to lend shoulder to his young child's coffin and nothing worse for a mother than to grieve at her young child's grave. Kashmir has seen too much of this suffering heaped on parents," the National Conference leader said.

Abdullah added: "His family is struggling to come to terms with their loss, especially his parents and 2 older sisters. May Allah grant young Atif Mir a place in jannat."

Atif Mir was taken hostage by two Pakistani militants during a gunfight with the security forces in Hajin town on March 23.

Despite repeated appeals from parents, villagers and religious heads of the area, the militants did not release the boy who was killed along with the two militants in the gunfight.