Kashmiri footballer, who joined Lashkar-e-Taiba, surrenders after mother pleads for return

Majid Khan's mother had earlier posted a video, praying for his return, after a photograph of Khan with an assault rifle had surfaced.

By: News Desk |
November 17, 2017 5:27 pm

Terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba’s fresh recruit Majid Khan has surrendered in Kashmir. Khan had joined the terror group last week when a close friend of his was killed in an encounter. It was later that a photograph of Khan, holding an assault rifle, had surfaced, pointing to his recruitment in LeT.

Khan’s surrender comes after a video of his mother, Ashiya Begum, went viral on social media. In the video, his mother asked him to quit militancy and called for his safe return home. “I am waiting for him. I want him to return… I want him to play football again,” she said in the video.

A J&K police officer confirmed the news on Twitter:

Alhamdullilah, he is back. Mother’s prayers have been answered. Hope and pray all the boys up in arms be back to their mothers. Let Peace prevail. https://t.co/Exdt6ZoNtO

— Imtiyaz Hussain (@hussain_imtiyaz) November 17, 2017

Khan played on the local football team as a goalkeeper in Anantnag, and was recruited after a friend’s killing in an encounter. According to sources, the terror group “sensed public mood and let go of Majid so he could serve his family”. On Thursday, November 16, night, Khan surrendered himself at a security camp.

Majid’s father, Irshad Ahmad Khan (59), had had a mild heart attack on Tuesday once he received word that Khan was trapped in Kulgam in an encounter. In the encounter, three terrorists were arrested and one was killed. Irshad on Thursday had said, “I’m sure he will come back if he hears this message. He is not just my son, but a friend also.. I have brought him up like that. I don’t understand why he did his.”

Following his return, Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted:

If that’s true then it’s a very good development. Hope he can go back to leading a normal life & not be harassed. https://t.co/oUAmD7GnUN

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 17, 2017

Twitter flooded with heartfelt messages after Majid’s return:

Young Kashmiri football player Majid Khan,who joined LeT, has left the terrorist group n returned.Welcome back brother.
Proud of Majid’s mother who sent strong message across the border n anti India forces @adgpi pic.twitter.com/b2WTWGNRvE

— Maj Surendra Poonia (@MajorPoonia) November 17, 2017

It is safe to say that prayer & faith go hand in hand & can be found in the deepest pocket of every mother.
20-year-old footballer from #Anantnag, Majid Khan who had joined militancy, has come out & surrendered before security forces in #Kashmir. pic.twitter.com/mDqjpReZia

— Apolina De (@apolina_de) November 17, 2017

More than anything else Majid Khan returned for his mother. Her wails brought him back. Hope he finds the path of leading a normal life easy now. Hope he finds support.

— Shuja-ul-haq (@ShujaUH) November 17, 2017

Salute, better learn from Majid's mother. How to deal with misguided kids not to defame & provoke like you did in 2016 result in killing of 150 children. https://t.co/hlaCeddMuS

— Salman Nizami (@SalmanNizami_) November 17, 2017

Good news! 20-year-old footballer from #Anantnag, Majid Khan who had joined militancy, surrenders before security forces in #Kashmir. Looks like tears of Majid's mother, who was heartbroken after his decision, finally melted his heart. May Allah show the right path to him pic.twitter.com/RMqu1jq48l

— JammuKashmir5 (@JammuKashmir5) November 17, 2017