Kashmiri footballer turns Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorist, leaves family shocked

Terrorism takes even footballers now
Terrorism takes even footballers now

What's the story?

In a bizarre news coming from Kashmir, it appears that budding footballer and youngster from the Anantnag area of Jammu and Kashmir, Majid Khan, has been lured into the world of terrorism, and has reportedly joined terrorist organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba.

The 20-year-old was a district football player, who was widely considered as being one of the best footballers in the Government Boys College in Anantnag. Now, however, a completely different path awaits Majid, whose friend Yawar Nisar joined the Hizbul Mujahideen, earlier this year. Nisar was subsequently killed by security forces in an encounter that has only added to the rage among terrorist forces.

In case you didn't know...

Kashmir is currently facing an uphill task in dealing with terrorist organisations and the state has reportedly seen a total of 31 young people join the ranks of LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Mohammed in just about 2 month's time. Majid Khan has been added to this infamous list recently.

The heart of the matter

Majid Khan was apparently pictured with an AK-47 rifle on social networking sites, and much to the dismay of his family members, it was soon reported that he had joined the LeT ranks. Majid was earlier working with a humanitarian organisation as a volunteer and emergency head, according to The Times of India.

His joining the terrorist organisation, however, was a result of pressure from his peer group, who are known to have influenced the footballer into pursuing a life other than the norm, says the police.

What's next?

Security forces continue to face the problem of youths turning to terrorism and must face them in active combat in order to protect the state of J&K.

Author's take

This is a truly shocking turn of events that proves that even the seemingly harmless world of sport is not shielded from the horrors of terrorism.