A father waits for his son's body killed in an encounter

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• Nov 23, 2021 | moderator

Jammu: A wait of 11 months seems painful. A man named Mushtaq Ahmad Wani from Jammu & Kashmir has stuck himself to a disheartening ritual.

With every passing day, father Wani keeps waiting for the dead body of his deceased son, who was killed in an encounter in Jammu & Kashmir. He keeps waiting for his son's body so that he can peacefully bury his body and complete the rituals.

Wani, who is 42-years-old has been carrying a dark wound since his 16-year-old son, Athar Mushtaq, and two youths were killed in an encounter in Srinagar's Lawaypora locality, 40 km from his home, last year. 

As per sources, police buried the three in Sonamarg. They have buried the bodies despite families complaining and pleading their innocence and demanding the bodies. A policeman's son was also among the three killed.

Wani stated that three of them were picked up from different locations. They were killed in a fake encounter in Srinagar. He added that there was no police record to suggest his son was associated with any militant activities.

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The Jammu and Kashmir police had initially stated that the three were not recorded as militants in its reports. But maintained they were "terrorist associates" two days later. 

Police even vowed to investigate the case by viewing it from all aspects. "I have not heard anything on that for the last one year," Wani lamented.

"He was in the middle of writing his class 11 examination on 29th November. He was taken to Srinagar and killed next day," Wani added.

Earlier this week, Athar's family hopes were reignited when the government handed over the bodies of two businessmen to their families killed in a questionable crossfire in Hyderpora locality.

"I have not lost hope. One day they will return the body. I promise I will keep on fighting quietly till I recieve Athar's body," Wani stated, setting the tin over the grave.

"In the last 11 months, I must have travelled to Sonamarg a dozen times to offer prayers at Athar's grave but each time I return, I feel someone has twisted a knife in my heart." Athar's father Wani added with tears in his eyes.