Kashmiri footballer quits militancy, Army calls him ‘brave’

Pulwama (Jammu and Kashmir), Nov 17 (IANS) Majid Khan, a young footballer whose decision to join the LeT stunned Kashmirs, has given up militancy, the Army announced on Friday, with the 20-year-old making a brief appearance at a press conference here.

Amid conflicting reports whether Majid Khan had surrendered or was caught, Major General B.S. Raju said: "The brave young man, Majid Khan, decided on his own to shun violence and returned to lead a normal life, pursuing his academics and passion for football."

The Army, he said, merely facilitated his decision.

"He was neither apprehended nor did he surrender. We only facilitated his return," Gen Raju said, providing no details about how Majid made contact with the family or the security agencies.

Majid, wearing a black Kashmiri phiran, made a brief presence before journalists. But he did not speak and was quickly escorted out of the venue by a police officer.

Gen Raju complimented his parents, especially the mother, whose persuasion he said helped the young man to change his mind.

Majid's mother's passionate and wailing appeal to her only son to return home went viral on social media -- just like Majid's earlier photographs showing him with an AK-47.

Gen Raju, who commands the Army's Victor Force, which oversees all anti-military operations in southern Kashmir, urged other Kashmiri youths to also give up militancy.

"Those youths who have strayed and have committed no crime are welcome to come back and no action will be taken against them. I appeal also to those who might have committed some crime to return within the parameters of law."

The Kashmir Valley's police chief, Muneer Khan, said no charges would be pressed against Majid and he would be allowed to join his family.

Army sources had earlier said that Majid, a second year college student, surrendered after walking into a Rashtriya Rifles camp at Kulgam on Thursday evening. He came with his arms and ammunition.

The sources added that he was handed over to Army's 15 Corps in Awantipora town.

There was a sense of relief among Majid's friends and relatives when they learnt that he had crossed back -- into safer hands.

"It is great to hear that he will be now serving his parents and pursuing his passion about football," a relative who did not wish to be named told IANS.

The relative said Majid was the only son of his parents, who were shocked when they came to know that he had joined the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), which is active in the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeted: "A mother's love prevailed. Her impassioned 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."

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said: "It is a very good development. Hope he can go back to leading a normal life and not be harassed."