Unidentified militant seen at Sabzar’s funeral ‘surrenders’ before Police

Srinagar/June,7: Jammu Kashmir Police Wednesday claimed that an unidentified militant seen at Hizb Commander Sabzar Ahmed Bhat’s funeral has ‘surrendered’ before the government forces. The ‘militant’ hails from North Kashmir’s Handwara town.
A police handout reads that few days back video clips of an unidentified militant, wearing battle pouch with a grenade, were in circulation on social media. These video clips were clicked in Tral, Awantipora by the local photo-journalists during the funeral of Hizb commander Sabzar Bhat.
“During investigation, this militant was identified as Danish Ahmed S/O Faooq Ahmed of Kulangam, Handwara. It further surfaced that Danish was studying in B.Sc (third year) at Doon P.G. College of Agriculture Science and Technology, Dehradun. Danish was found involved in stone-pelting incidents at Handwara in 2016 turmoil also. He was picked up by the police but was let off after counseling in view of his career,” the police handout reads.
“Once it was learnt that Danish has joined militancy, Handwara police and 21 RR army got into touch with his parents and impressed upon them to counsel their son for surrender. His parents were convinced that if he surrenders, he would be dealt with fairly under law. Efforts made by security forces yielded results and Danish surrendered before Handwara police and 21 RR army.”
Police said that on being questioned, he revealed that he was in touch with militants of South Kashmir region on social media sites; and it was on their instigation that he had decided to become a militant. “He was tasked by Hizbul Mujahideen commanders to ‘activate’ some local youth in North Kashmir and make the region as militancy infested as the southern part of Kashmir.  However, after spending a few days with the militants in South Kashmir, he realized the futility of joining militant ranks,” Police official said.
Official said that a case vide number FIR number 133/2017 under section 7/25 Arms Act stands registered in Police Station Handwara. “Investigation is on.  Danish is being considered under the J&K Surrendered Militants Rehabilitation Policy,” police official said.