Srinagar: Kashmir’s young footballer Majid Irshad Khan who had joined Lashkar-e-Tayyaba 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-and-search 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.
“It has given me a new lease of life,” Irshad told reporters at his home in southern Anantnag district on Friday after told his son has surrendered.
The Army said that the 20-year-old footballer took a brave decision and that he will return to his family soon.
The LeT said 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.
Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, said that it was “mother's love” which has prevailed and forced Majid to surrender so that he could return to his family. She tweeted, “A mother’s love prevailed. Her appeal helped in getting Majid, an aspiring footballer, back home. Every time a youngster resorts to violence, it is his family which suffers the most.”
