By: Sajid Yousuf Shah, Bureau Chief-ICN J & K
A son recounts the night when his family members were killed by militants when he was just 8. 17 years 7 orphans 7 seconds.
SRINAGAR: 17 years ago, on 22 October 2002, I was an 8-year-old and excited to visit my native village – Sogam Lolab in north kashmir’s Kupwara from Srinagar after a long time.My mother went to my uncle’s house to stay there for a night she insisted me to stay with her but I didn’t pay any heed towards her. I was not aware that it will be my last meeting with her and I went to house of another uncle to have fun with them after a long time. It was around 6 PM everyone switched off lights I was puzzled to see such thing because it was new thing for me. I asked my cousin why everyone switched off lights too early; He replied – “Militants have routine to visit the houses in the village and people will offer them food and other things”. Nobody have guts to say anything to them whatever they will say everyone follows. It was around 7’O Clock I was playing carom with my cousins suddenly we heard some gun shots; we thought it might be an encounter between security forces and militants because those days militancy was a common thing in Kashmir valley. After few minutes we heard the sound of crying outside the gate everyone rushed towards the gate and I saw my aunt crying loudly. When we entered in the house of uncle we saw blood stains on the walls, my elder sister got fainted. My brother and I had no idea what happened. Next day people started gathering in the house and I saw two dead bodies lying on the bed including my mother and uncle. I saw cotton roll full of blood in the right eye of my mother and I was continuously asking everyone why she is lying on the bed why don’t you ask her to talk. I thought she might be angry with me because I haven’t stayed with her last night. I saw my father crying and I realized something is wrong. I asked everyone what happened to them nobody replied, everyone was crying. So, in the evening I was told to see the face of my mother last time before they will bury her. I went to the graveyard and filled her grave with my hands I was not having idea that I’m actually losing her forever. They (Militants) asked her water once she came back on the door with the class of water, One of them shot two bullets on the chest of my uncle and another one shot bullet on the eye on my mother. Both died on spot and then Militants fled away from the spot.Those Militants didn’t only kill two human beings but they made 7 children’s orphan in just few moments. They snatched happiness of two families. 17 years have passed still the incident is in my mind and eyes. Every year on 29 October I recall those last moments which I spent with the mom before few hours of her death. I live in such a situation where a son can’t write anything on the death anniversary of her mother. The fear of gun silenced me and many like me…
Qatil Ne Kis Safai Se Dhoyi Hai Aasteen
Us Ko Khabar Nahi KI Lahu Bolta Bhi Hai
(How meticulously the murderer has washed his sleeves, he has no idea blood leaves marks deeper than just the stain) – Anonymous
