I AM NOT A TERRORIST

SAHIL RASGOTRA/ SUMIT SHARMA. Updated: 11/20/2017 2:10:21 AM Front Page

Media goof-up pasting his photo among six terrorists killed in Hajin anguishes Seekh seller

SAHIL RASGOTRA/SUMIT SHARMA

JAMMU: The Sunday morning turned different for this 32-year old snack-seller of Talab Khateeka, when he woke up to repeated knocks on his door. As if the ‘crowd’ outside his bedroom was not surprising enough for him, the newspapers they were carrying in their hand held the shock of his life. His photo was pasted on at-least two major daily papers- labeling him dead- rather killed as one of the six terrorists killed on Saturday night, in a major encounter with security forces at Hajin, around 300 Kilometers away in the Valley.
Coming to the terms as what has just happened, it took Abdul Majid, father of two, few minutes to recollect himself as in a faux pas, several media houses- local and national- carried his picture as one of the six Lashker-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists killed in a fierce gun battle yesterday.
The crowd only increased throughout the day, but the anguish rose gradually from the shock.
In the evening, as he went out to the market- a usual place where he has been selling seekhs- barbecue chicken-for last 14 years, the crowd was more than usual- most of them intrigued to see how a ‘dead terrorist’ looks alive.
"I was shocked on seeing my picture among the dead terrorists in newspapers this morning. Then when we switched on the TV, some electronic media channels were also carrying my picture,” Majid told The News Now in an exclusive conversation.
“Somebody downloaded my picture from the Facebook account and circulated it as one of the dead terrorists," his words still suggesting the utter shock.
"I am not a terrorist. How can they carry my picture? It is the negligence of media and the state administration," he said, adding that he has filed a police complaint.
Majid, having a long beard and wearing Afghani cap, displayed several newspapers which carried his picture on the front page with an alias 'Abu Zargam'- a top LeT commander.
"The news came as a big shock for my family. They are all very upset," he said.
"I do not know whose conspiracy is this. But whoever has done it has tarnished my image," he said, demanding a probe into the conspiracy.
"I want my name to be cleared as soon as possible," Majid added.
“I frequently visit various parts of the state and country. I am scared that I will be harassed by people everywhere, and police as well, for what is essentially a negligent act of media and administration,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Majid along with other locals took out a protest rally demanding action from administration in the matter.
He was assured by Police officials of proper inquiry into the goof-up.
“I will file a defamatory suit in the court of law for this,” anguished Majid told The News Now.
The mystery surrounding the issue has only increased as the police refused to have circulated Majid’s photo to media agency, thus questioning the credibility of certain media houses.
Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, Muneer Khan, when contacted by The News Now, said that police did not circulate any of the photos of the militants killed in the encounter.
As it turned in the conversation, another suspected ‘goof-up’ came to fore, as another man whose picture was carried by the same newspaper in question was projected as alive by locals of Hajin area, the same place where the encounter took place on Saturday, as learned by the intelligence agencies.
In fact, the particular man- labeled as Abu Bhai by the newspaper-is slated to coming to Hajin to deliver lecture there.
As the things unfolded, it was learnt by the intelligence agencies that a facebook account being run by the ISI posted a message that Abu Bhai was coming to the area.
However, there was little to trust the post as in the same message, it was said that four army men were killed in the encounter, contrary to one- the supreme sacrifice made by IAF Garud Commando JP Nirula.
It was later confirmed to The News Now by the IGP Kashmir Muneer Ahmed Khan, who termed the rumors as frustrations by the ISI.
“Four Facebook accounts are being run by the ISI for the purpose of spreading rumor and entangling the gullible Kashmiris in their vicious net,” he said, adding that while number of the facebook accounts managed by the ISI were getting blocked but still three to four facebook accounts are being managed from Pakistan side.
Pertinently, six terrorists were eliminated including LeT commanders Abu Zargaam and Mahmood during the encounter on Saturday, including nephew of dreaded Mumbai attacks mastermind Lakhvi.

Updated On 11/20/2017 2:13:13 AM


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