Footballer turned Lashkar militant surrenders in Kashmir

Majid Jahangir
Tribune News Service
Srinagar, November 17

20-year-old footballer turned Lashkar-e-Toiba militant Majid Khan has “surrendered” before security forces in south Kashmir.

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He was whisked away to an undisclosed destination early this morning. Top police officers are tight lipped about the surrender.  

A senior police officer, however, said that Khan had contacted his family on Thursday evening first time after he joined militant ranks and shown his willingness to return home. The college student, a goalkeeper for his local team in Anantnag in south Kashmir, is believed to have turned to militancy after a close friend was killed in an encounter.

After he went missing, the promising footballer’s picture surfaced on social media where he was seen brandishing a rifle. 

His mother Ayesha Khan's video later surfaced on social media where she was seen weeping bitterly and pleading his son to return home.

Kashmir Inspector General of Police (IGP) Munir Khan had on Thursday said they were trying to bring the footballer back to the mainstream.

“His family members are making an effort to bring him back and it is our job to second their efforts. However, it is not Majid only, we are committed to help youth who want to live a normal life,” Khan had said at a media briefing.