None joined from Pulwama, All eight alive, three youth were brought back after counselling, says top official
Jehangir Ganaie
Srinagar: In Kashmir’s militancy hot-bet South Kashmir, only eight youth joined various militant ranks post August 5, when Government of India (GoI), stripped of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir from its autonomous status.
The figures have revealed that local militant recruitment has been contained by various security agencies despite rumours that there would be mass recruitment given the rollback of Article 270 and bifurcation of erstwhile State into two Union Territories (UTs).
According to wire service—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), eight youth have joined various militant outfits post August 5 that include Hizbul Mujahideen, Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH) and Islamic State of J&K.
Official data accessed by the KNO suggests that no youth has joined militancy from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, which was considered hyper-sensitive by the security agencies as majority of youth joined militancy from this district alone in the past few years, especially after the killing of tech-savy militant commander of Hizbul Mujahideen Burhan Wani.
Official documents available with the KNO reveal that a youth Sadat Thoker son of Farooq Ahmed Thoker, a resident of Waghama, Bijbehera, Anantnag district. Sadat went missing on August 5, the very day when GoI made the announcement about Article 370 roll back. A police official revealed that Sadat has joined ISJK.
Another youth has been identified as Adil Thoker son of Abdul Gani Thoker, resident of Pombai, Damhal Hanjipora. He went missing on August 14 and has joined Hizbul Mujahideen outfit, as per police records. Third one is Amir Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Muhammad Dar, resident of Meloora, Zainapora in Shopian district. Police records show that Amir went missing on August 29 and joined Ansaar Gazwatul Hind (AGH).
The official document further reveals that fourth youth is Wakeel Ahmed Bhat son of Nazir Ahmed of Pazalpora, Bijbehera. Wakeel disappeared on September 27 and is believed to have joined Lashkar-e-Toiba outfit, as per police records.
Saqib Khan is the fifth youth who has joined militancy post August 5. Son of Bashir Ahmed, a resident of Drangbal, Pampore, Saqib is believed to be the youngest militant recruit, who went missing on October 6. He has reportedly joined Lashkar.
Another youth Shafayat Amin Nayak son of Muhammad Amin, a resident of Zainapora, Shopian. Police records show that Shafayat has joined Hizbul Mujahideen on October 13. Shaheen Ahmed Thoker is the seventh one to join militancy. Son of Bashir Ahmed Thoker, a resident of Pandushan, Shopian, Shaheen has reportedly joined Lashkar on October 13. The eight youth is Muhammad Ashraf Malik nick named Sadaam, son of Bashir Ahmed Malik, a resident of Arwani, Bijbehera, Anantnag joined Hizb on November 25. Police says that all the eight new recruits are alive.
The police official told KNO that during the three month period, local militant recruitment came down significantly. “There is none from Pulwama district in the list of new recruits.
Three youth were brought back and are living with their families at present. Besides, dozens of attempts of youth to join militancy were foiled successfully and they were counselled and sent back to their parents,” the official said.
