Kashmiri youth surrenders after mom’s tearful plea
Kasmiri youth surrenders before Army after mother’s tearful appeal
Srinagar: Young Kashmiri footballer Majid Irshad Khan, who had joined LeT last week, surrendered before the Army on Thursday night, ending the ordeal of his parents. The surrender follows appeals by his parents and J& K police. Majid’s father Irshad Ahmed had suffered a heart attack and his mother had not eaten after they learnt that their son has joined the LeT.
Kashmir’s young footballer Majid Irshad Khan who had joined Lashkar- eTayyaba ( LeT) last week surrendered before the Army on Thursday night, ending the ordeal of his parents. The authorities, on the other hand, said the move has a strategic value and can set the trend among the Kashmiri youth in the militants’ ranks to shun the gun and return home to lead normal life.
Majid’s father Irshad Ahmed Khan, 59, had suffered a mild heart attack after he learnt that his son was among the militants trapped in a village of southern Kulgam district when the security forces launched a cordon- andsearch operation there a few days ago.
His mother Aisha Begum had not eaten since last Thursday, when the footballer’s photograph showing him carrying an AK- 47 assault rifle with a message that he had joined the militants’ group went viral on social media.
“It has given me a new lease of life,” Irshad told reporters at his home in southern Anantnag district on Friday.
“Now I can stand on my legs again. I’ve been cured now,” he added.
The Army said that the 20- year- old youth took a brave decision and that he will return to his family soon. “It was a very brave decision by Majid Khan. I compliment him and assure that he will be able to get back to normal life very soon,” Major General B.S.Raju of the Army’s “Victor Force” said at a press conference.
The LeT claimed that Majid was allowed to leave the outfit and return to his parents for he was the only male among the three siblings and his parents, particularly mother, were emotionally very upset.
Inspector- general of police ( Kashmir range) Munir Ahmed Khan replying a question said, “You expected Lashkar to say he was in their group? They kill people and then don’t own up how will they acknowledge this?”
The IGP had earlier in the day denied Majid had surrendered before Army’s 1 Rashtriya Rifles at Khannabal in Anantnag district on Thursday night and said that the football er turned-militant had contacted his family, expressing a wish to return home.