Jammu and Kashmir: Engineering student turned militant surrenders during encounter

Meanwhile, the surrendered militant, a third year Bachelor of Technology (B Tech) student in Chandigarh, thanked Commanding Officer (CO) of 32 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) and Indian Army for allowing him to surrender and start a fresh life. He also appealed to other militants to lay down their arms as violence will not help to achieve anything.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, GOC 15 Corps Lt General B S Raju and Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh were appealed to the misguided local youth to shun militancy and lead a normal peaceful life with their families.

The appeal coupled with persuasion by family members has helped over half a dozen local militants to surrender during encounters in the valley, including in Srinagar during the past about a month.

Similarly, a militant surrendered along with arms and ammunition during an encounter at Nurpora Tral in Pulwama on Monday night. A militant was killed in the encounter.

Defence spokesman said the individual, who was pursuing BTech, came home during COVID & was mislead by a friend to militancy.

However, the Indian Army in its effort to bring youth back to family, extended all possible help to the misguided youth to shun the path of violence and return to mainstream society.

Later, security forces made announcement for surrender and second militant came out by responding to the announcements. He took off his Feran (traditional Kashmiri wear) to show that he was not carrying a weapon and was apprehended. His weapon was later recovered from the spot, he said.

In a video message, the militant identified himself as Saqib Akbar Waza,resident of Gulshanpora, Pulwama said, “I was studying B Tech third year in Chandigarh but had to come back home after the outbreak of Coronavirus. I was doing my work at home before a friend Waris met me who had joined militancy in August. Later, he motivated me and I also joined him on September 25 and today is October 26 when RR surrounded the area where we were hiding.

Later, Commanding Officer (CO) of 32 RR allowed me to surrender and lead a normal life, he said and thanked to CO and Indian Army to sparing his life. "I will not do anything wrong again," he said adding they will not feel sorry for leaving me alive.