Kashmiri Shia hail slain India patriot!

[Khajur]

Kashmiri Shia hail slain India patriot

By Altaf Hussain

BBC News, Dub, Indian-administered Kashmir

The funeral north of Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir was just like those of countless others who have died violently in the insurgency over the past 20 years.

A son of the the soil was laid to rest in his ancestral graveyard in the village of Dub, north of Srinagar, on Tuesday, surrounded by thousands of mourners.

What made the ceremony unusual was that this was no militant who had died fighting the Indian army.

This was a Kashmiri who served with the Indian army and died fighting the militants.

Shabir Ahmed Malik was among eight Indian soldiers killed in a gun battle earlier this week with separatist militants in Kupwara.

'Pained'
Over the past two decades, hundreds of Kashmiris have died while fighting for India.

Among them are police officials and Ikhwanis, or "renegade" militants who have been persuaded or coerced - depending on who you believe - to abandon militancy and instead work for the Indian security forces. Most Ikhwanis were or are pariahs.

But Shabir, 21, joined the Indian army after passing his 12th class examination. He studied at the Sainik (army) School at Ganderbal.

Shabir's family and neighbours are proud of his service.

"He has become a hero. He died an honourable death. I am so happy, although I am also pained at his separation," says Mohammad Yasin, a neighbour and friend of the dead man.

Mr Yasin says he still regrets not being able to join the Indian army with Shabir.

"I too went with him that day. But only three boys were selected. I was not taken because I was over age. I still feel so bad about it.

"Even now, I have a passionate desire to do something for my country like Shabir has done."

Mr Yasin says that the moving send-off given to Shabir has inspired many more youths in the village to join the army.

'Fulfilled'
"I am 28," says Showkat Ahmed. "I have never in my life seen such a funeral. Such death is pride-worthy."

Such well-attended funerals are usually the preserve of militants killed by Indian troops.

Shabir's body was kept outside the "imambara" (Shia place of worship) and the villagers mourned beside it.

They beat their chests but unlike at the funerals of militants there was no slogan shouting.

The fact the villagers are minority Shia may in part explain their pro-India loyalties. Kashmir's insurgency over the past two decades has mostly been waged by Sunni militants.

Part of the Shia community has stayed away from the separatist campaign, although some leaders of the separatist movement do belong to the Shias.

The coffin was draped in India's tricolour before it was carried to the graveyard.

Shabir's brother, Ghiulam Mohammad, says: "I wanted him to become a doctor. But he had a passion for joining the army and was determined to complete his graduation so he could become an army officer.

"He was patriotic from his childhood. He wanted to do something for his country. His ambition has been fulfilled."

The villagers have been sharing the family's grief as well as its pride in what Shabir fought for.

"Every family here is bereaved. Every family is mourning," one villager said.


BBC NEWS | World | South Asia | Kashmiri Shia mourn India patriot

 

[DarkStar]

The article above is nothing but shameless propoganda.

He's obviously let go of editorial reins, and has turned the funeral of an ill trained (it was only a couple of months ago that the army had started recruiting Kashmiris) young soldier, who probably joined for lack of other monetary oppurtunities, into some sort of nationalist fairytale, and the jawan into a tiranaga hero.

The chest beating of family members, hardly seems a way to celebrate a hero's death.

I wonder how many funerals of raped and killed Kashmiri women, executed Kashmiri men, leaving behind hapless widows and children, this reporter has been to. Has he tried to gage the feeling of Kashmiris regarding those butchered by the Bharatia security apparatus?.

To think that some journalists would go to this extent, to sell their pen to the highest bidder, and in teh process, try to brainwash people with such cack handed accounts, is astonishing.

And what is even more repugnant, is the writer's pathetic attempt, at trying to give the Kashmiri freedom struggle a religious sectarion colour.

One of the aims of the journalist (I'm using the term lightly here), seems to be to drive a wedge between the Muslim readers, as regards to Sunni Shia loyalty, and is pathetic and largely failed attempt at creating emnity between the two.

What a joke the BBC has become!

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

At the end of the day a family will mourn because their loved one died, it is no reflection on what the choice of this family would be were an impartial plebiscite held in Kashmir.

If the intention is to somehow paint this as a 'turning tide' against Pakistan, the answer remains the same, hold the plebiscite that was agreed to by all sides in the United Nations Security Council.

'Doodh ka doodh, or paani ka paani'.

 

[DeathInvader]

The article above is nothing but shameless propoganda.

He's obviously let go of editorial reins, and has turned the funeral of an ill trained (it was only a couple of months ago that the army had started recruiting Kashmiris) young soldier, who probably joined for lack of other monetary oppurtunities, into some sort of nationalist fairytale, and the jawan into a tiranaga hero.

The chest beating of family members, hardly seems a way to celebrate a hero's death.

I wonder how many funerals of raped and killed Kashmiri women, executed Kashmiri men, leaving behind hapless widows and children, this reporter has been to. Has he tried to gage the feeling of Kashmiris regarding those butchered by the Bharatia security apparatus?.

To think that some journalists would go to this extent, to sell their pen to the highest bidder, and in teh process, try to brainwash people with such cack handed accounts, is astonishing.

And what is even more repugnant, is the writer's pathetic attempt, at trying to give the Kashmiri freedom struggle a religious sectarion colour.

One of the aims of the journalist (I'm using the term lightly here), seems to be to drive a wedge between the Muslim readers, as regards to Sunni Shia loyalty, and is pathetic and largely failed attempt at creating emnity between the two.

What a joke the BBC has become!

I m not surprised by your comments as u being eventually a pakistani......! u dont juss c the cruelty China is doing on Tibetians as they are ur best friends.......but even if a single Muslim die in Kashmir u claim it to be killed by Indian army........

U dunno how much Indian Muslims are loyal to India.......regardless of some Muslims who spoil Allahs fame and give haven for Terrorists in India........
Wen These Terrorist Kill a hundred innocent unarmed ppl...u put em in hall of fame.....

but even if a single Indian Muslim dies in fighting against these inhuman acts u call him shame to Islam and laff off......! huh!.....

Do Think That der r only Hindus in Indian army!? There are so many Kashmiris in India who r given special privileges for education and jobs.........but u will never c dat and always criticize the Indians

Wen the people come out to vote in elections........ these so called Separatists come out to scare the ppl and disrupt the polls.......

Chest beating is a way to express mourn and deep grieve..... and they arent cursing the Indians... they are cursing the Religious psychos who did this.........

the execution of Kashmir's separatist are very very right........ these are the people who provide terrorist a safe haven and a way to enter India......illegallyy wid loads of weapons and explosives........and we all know what are they going to do wid that......

so instead killing them is a better option............

 

[Gabbar]

Mr Yasin says he still regrets not being able to join the Indian army with Shabir.

"I too went with him that day. But only three boys were selected. I was not taken because I was over age. I still feel so bad about it.

"Even now, I have a passionate desire to do something for my country like Shabir has done."

Mr Yasin says that the moving send-off given to Shabir has inspired many more youths in the village to join the army.

If this is not being patriot, I dont know what it is. Any one who is trying to spin the situation and only calling this a grieving statement, is in denial.
Given there are ant-India feeling, may be more compare to pro-India but there are still lots of patriot Kashmiries.

 

[afriend]

The article above is nothing but shameless propoganda.

He's obviously let go of editorial reins, and has turned the funeral of an ill trained (it was only a couple of months ago that the army had started recruiting Kashmiris) young soldier, who probably joined for lack of other monetary oppurtunities, into some sort of nationalist fairytale, and the jawan into a tiranaga hero.

The chest beating of family members, hardly seems a way to celebrate a hero's death.

I wonder how many funerals of raped and killed Kashmiri women, executed Kashmiri men, leaving behind hapless widows and children, this reporter has been to. Has he tried to gage the feeling of Kashmiris regarding those butchered by the Bharatia security apparatus?.

To think that some journalists would go to this extent, to sell their pen to the highest bidder, and in teh process, try to brainwash people with such cack handed accounts, is astonishing.

And what is even more repugnant, is the writer's pathetic attempt, at trying to give the Kashmiri freedom struggle a religious sectarion colour.

One of the aims of the journalist (I'm using the term lightly here), seems to be to drive a wedge between the Muslim readers, as regards to Sunni Shia loyalty, and is pathetic and largely failed attempt at creating emnity between the two.

What a joke the BBC has become!

I am suprised Darkstar, that these comments are comming from you. We all acknowledge the situation in Kashmir, We all have heard the stories as you mentioned below

I wonder how many funerals of raped and killed Kashmiri women, executed Kashmiri men, leaving behind hapless widows and children, this reporter has been to.

I can easily pass this off as a propoganda from your end, but there are atleast some truth in it.
However when you hear the stories of the patriotic kashmiris that exists in kashmir, why are you not able to digest the fact,i belive you have been exposed highly to pakistani propoganda on kashmir.

But i am glad violence is comming down in the valley and peace is returning to the valley.
I am sure that if we are able to mainatin peace in kashmir and a better quality of life there, we can see more and more patriotic kashmiris emerging in favour of india.

The question is why don't you let it happen, throw out those terrorists who take guns, ..This will help in in raising the quality of life for kashmiries. Lets the guns be withdrawn, from your end, from our end, and from terrorists end. This will help in peace, let the status quo remain and peace be the mantra. Then the judgement shall be free,fair and uncoerced.

 

[afriend]

At the end of the day a family will mourn because their loved one died, it is no reflection on what the choice of this family would be were an impartial plebiscite held in Kashmir.

If the intention is to somehow paint this as a 'turning tide' against Pakistan, the answer remains the same, hold the plebiscite that was agreed to by all sides in the United Nations Security Council.

'Doodh ka doodh, or paani ka paani'.

Well.. If that is your intention as i said to you before, its also your responsiblity to create an envionrnment for that...!!! Dont you think so??? Putting a gun to our heads and talking about plebiscite..Do you think that would work, would any demoracitic country would be willing to trust and hear what that country says, asks, or propogates. Nope. It leads to mistrust. You cannot blame india for that mistrust. Stop the support for armed "freedom strugglers" and then lets talk

 

[tyagi]

The article above is nothing but shameless propoganda.

He's obviously let go of editorial reins, and has turned the funeral of an ill trained (it was only a couple of months ago that the army had started recruiting Kashmiris) young soldier, who probably joined for lack of other monetary oppurtunities, into some sort of nationalist fairytale, and the jawan into a tiranaga hero.

!

he was in 1st para sf

 

[Khajur]

The article above is nothing but shameless propoganda.

He's obviously let go of editorial reins, and has turned the funeral of an ill trained (it was only a couple of months ago that the army had started recruiting Kashmiris) young soldier, who probably joined for lack of other monetary oppurtunities, into some sort of nationalist fairytale, and the jawan into a tiranaga hero.

The chest beating of family members, hardly seems a way to celebrate a hero's death.

I wonder how many funerals of raped and killed Kashmiri women, executed Kashmiri men, leaving behind hapless widows and children, this reporter has been to. Has he tried to gage the feeling of Kashmiris regarding those butchered by the Bharatia security apparatus?.

To think that some journalists would go to this extent, to sell their pen to the highest bidder, and in teh process, try to brainwash people with such cack handed accounts, is astonishing.

And what is even more repugnant, is the writer's pathetic attempt, at trying to give the Kashmiri freedom struggle a religious sectarion colour.

One of the aims of the journalist (I'm using the term lightly here), seems to be to drive a wedge between the Muslim readers, as regards to Sunni Shia loyalty, and is pathetic and largely failed attempt at creating emnity between the two.

What a joke the BBC has become!

For ur kind information,he was an well trained para trooper.

Dont try to portray him like some reluctant kashmiri joined the Army yesterday because he had to feed his poor family.

"Shabir, 21, joined the Indian army after passing his 12th class examination. He studied at the Sainik (army) School at Ganderbal"

Again its well known secret that Shia muslims who live in Ladakh,kargil & other border districts of north kashmir are generally keep themselves out of any freedom movement which is larglely driven by sunni muslims of the vally.

Its was a shia shepherd who had for the first time informed about infiltration of pak army in across LOC during Kargil conflict of yr 99.

 

[Khajur]

Here are the pictures of the last journery of the slain indian hero that appeared in chinese media.

Funeral of Kashmiri gunfight victim arouses public soreness _English_Xinhua

 

[notsuperstitious]

I request people not to mock the hero's treatment a hero gets after his death.

And some research will give some credibility to what u write, calling every inconvenient thing propoganda is not a very smart thing. a presumably kashmiri muslim journalist writing in BBC abt the reality of a dead soldier and his shia village can not be mocked away.

and he was no ill trained soldier, he was para unit, an elite army unit. and army has not been recruiting only since jan 2009 in kashmir, pls such ridiculous claims just show ur ignorance. how did u miss the funerals of indian soldiers in kashmir during the kargil war? Jammu and Kshmir light infantry has been in operation for 4 decades now.

Whatever ur ambitions, when u mock a dead indian soldier, it just becomes more difficult for u.

 

[Cheetah786]

Its was a shia shepherd who had for the first time informed about infiltration of pak army in across LOC during Kargil conflict of yr 99.

And you no all about him and his religion because after he called it in indian army probed him thats how they found out he was shia and not hindu.

This is ol ol game nothing new here just a pathetic atempt by indians to create the illusion look its the kasmeries fighting to keep kashmere with india and out siders are trouble maker religion is being used to say freedom fighters in india are funamentalist muslims and not kashmeries fighting the occupying force.

ONly few were chosen''younger and dumber ones'' willing to bet if postmartum is done bullet removed from his BACK will be indian army bullet as this person desprate for work was used by indians as pawn.


Yet i still forget to see what has him being shia in the topic? so what you are saying if its not an attempt to create a line between shias and sunnis or also known as divide and rule.

http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=remoteimage179.gif

 

[Kharian_Beast]

''Again its well known secret that Shia muslims who live in Ladakh,kargil & other border districts of north kashmir are generally keep themselves out of any freedom movement which is larglely driven by sunni muslims of the vally.''

Blatant Propaganda, if you do a bit more research you will find many shia involved in the freedom movement. Indian propaganda at its worst, trying to split Pakistan in all ways and manners.

It's time we poked at India's sores as well.

 

[DeathInvader]

And you no all about him and his religion because after he called it in indian army probed him thats how they found out he was shia and not hindu.

This is ol ol game nothing new here just a pathetic atempt by indians to create the illusion look its the kasmeries fighting to keep kashmere with india and out siders are trouble maker religion is being used to say freedom fighters in india are funamentalist muslims and not kashmeries fighting the occupying force.

ONly few were chosen''younger and dumber ones'' willing to bet if postmartum is done bullet removed from his BACK will be indian army bullet as this person desprate for work was used by indians as pawn.


Yet i still forget to see what has him being shia in the topic? so what you are saying if its not an attempt to create a line between shias and sunnis or also known as divide and rule.

http://img14.imageshack.us/my.php?image=remoteimage179.gif

look...heres the postmortem doctor..who removed the bullet........

i knewd u d say this. cuzz the same reason......"Pakistani"...... what do u know about Indian army..! Even if the bullet is Indian...the cries of his mother and her tears would be Indian ...........den the flag he will get on his tomb will also be Indian...... the last salute he will get by Firing 21 bullets in air will also be Indian.... The name that he will get on India Gate On AMAR JAWAN (immortal soldier) will also be Indian! the proud his family would feel will also be Indian.......the pensions and reservations his family will get will also be Indian...... And his name would be in a Indian Heart forever........! this is not a case of friendly fire so the bullet is not Indian........so it was the Only thing that Pakistanis gave him...........

Jai Jawan
Jai Hind

 

[indiatech]

''Again its well known secret that Shia muslims who live in Ladakh,kargil & other border districts of north kashmir are generally keep themselves out of any freedom movement which is larglely driven by sunni muslims of the vally.''

Blatant Propaganda, if you do a bit more research you will find many shia involved in the freedom movement. Indian propaganda at its worst, trying to split Pakistan in all ways and manners.

It's time we poked at India's sores as well.

when Indian Army hires , it doesn't see if he is a Shia or Sunni.

India doesn't need to split pakistan, if you do a more research. It has been going in the dcurrent direction on its own because of ideologies.