Majid, Kashmiri footballer returns for the sake of love; leaves LeT

By Sajad Ahmed

A week ago 24-year-old Majid Khan's picture posing with a AK-47 went viral on social media. Later, his joining the LeT ( Lashker-e-Tuiba) militant outfit was confirmed by J&K police.

Majid was a second year undergraduate commerce student, at the government boys degree college in Ananthnag.

Majid was a famous football keeper from southern part of Kashmir. His decision to pick up arms had left his parents & friends in despair & they wanted him to return home. A relentless campaign was launched on social media to reach out to Majid for his return. "I love you for the sake of Allah, please return back" wrote by one of his friend.

In the video that went viral on social media, Majid's mother Asia Begum urged her son to come back.
"I'm waiting for him to return back & play football again", his mother wept in the video.

On Friday morning his return was disclosed and he surrendered before the army. Majid's his return also started lot of discussion on social media, from political class to civil society everyone giving him warm welcome & appreciating his decision to return. In a tweet, CM Mehbooba Mufti Sayeed said that a mothers love prevailed in getting Majid back.

In another tweet by former CM Omar Abdullah, he said, "If that's true then it's a very good development. Hope he can go back to leading a normal life & not be harassed."

In an joint statement, Army & police, both hailed Majid for his brave step.

According to reports at least 50 locals have joined militancy, since July, this year. 70 have been killed so far.

(Sajad has done his bachelors in Mass Communication and Journalism and has been working with several local newspapers in Kashmir since 2015)