WHO ARE WE FIGHTING FOR??
“Iqbal !!!!!!”
“Where are you lost Iqbal?” repeated Shahid.
“Nowhere, just worried about the family of Arif”, replied Iqbal, in a low and terrified voice. Iqbal continued, “What was the mistake of Arif? He was just performing his duties, he was the sole breadearner of the family and now who’s going to feed his old parents, wife and two children?”
Arif, a 35 years old Kashmiri from Baramulla succumbed to death fighting against a group of four terrorists in Srinagar. He had joined JKP with lot of enthusiasm and ambition of doing something for the people of the valley. Considering his physical fitness, shooting skills and past performance, he was handpicked as the PSO of a local political leader.
Iqbal was employed at the residence of the same political leader and was responsible for maintaining the garden. Iqbal along with Arif (PSO), Shahid (Driver) and few others were staying together at the staff accommodation at the bungalow of the political leader. Iqbal shared a close bond with Arif as they both hailed from the same native village and grew up together, studying in the same school.
Iqbal further continued in faint voice, “I still remember the sight, as if it took place today morning. That day, I was watering the plants in the lawn and Arif was at the guard room, standing alert with calmness and peace on his face. He looked at me, gave a soothing smile and asked “tohy ch’ivaa vaarai, Iqbal?” we started talking to each other, wherein he later informed me that he was proceeding on ten days leave for the marriage of his younger sister. He also asked me to join his family on the day of wedding. I promised him to surely join the auspicious moment. He looked happy and excited. He had lot of plans for the occasion and surely lot of responsibilities on his shoulders to execute, being the only earning member in his family.”
“As we were talking, someone knocked at the main door of the residence”, continued Iqbal. “Arif looked outside to realize that a woman wearing ‘Burqa’ (veil) was at the main door, asking to meet the political leader. As soon as Arif opened the main door, the terrorist disguised as a woman wearing ‘Burqa’ along with three others fired indiscriminately. Arif received multiple gun shots on his body but still displaying courage he returned back fire on to the terrorists. The terrorists couldn’t face the retaliatory fire and ran away. Arif stood like a shield protecting others and kept firing till he successfully pushed back the terrorists.”
“When the fire fight stopped, I rushed to Arif, who was lying on the floor with his body covered in blood.
He succumbed to injuries while still firmly holding onto his weapon to fire back. He sacrificed his life in the line of duty protecting life of many of us working inside the bungalow”. Arif was taken to SMHS hospital, where the doctors declared him brought dead.
Iqbal with tears in his eyes continued,
“Ya Allah! Why Arif?”
“I don’t know who was inside the burqa, but he was indeed a Kashmiri and so was Arif. He was a son of the soil. Then why was he killed? Why did the mujahids kill a Kashmiri who was just earning bread for his family.”
“What freedom are they fighting for, I don’t understand!!!!”
“They are killing our own brothers. Our brothers who are doing their jobs ‘freely’. It is the mujahids which took away the freedom of Arif’s family. They took away the freedom of every next volunteer who wants to join the police. I lost a friend and Kashmir lost a brave policeman. No freedom will bring my friend back. No freedom” Saying all this Iqbal broke down and started weeping like a child.
As per the records, there have been 96 terror-related incidents in 2020 wherein 43 civilians have lost their life and 92 others suffered severe injuries in these incidents. This year has also witnessed increased atrocities on the locals by terrorist groups. All these incidents raise the question on these Pakistan sponsored terrorist organisations – what and who are they fighting for? Is it really for Kashmir?
