Surrendered ultras find 'new' world outside forests

Jammu, Aug 30 (UNI) The eyes which loved to see terrified civilians and the ears which had become habitual to the sounds of violence were astonished to see the world they had left for the so-called 'jehad'ten years ago.

''We can't believe our eyes. The life has entirely changed in the past ten years. We have lost the best moments of life in the thick forests for the so-called jehad,'' top Hizb-ul Mujahideen (HM) commanders Abdul Rashid 'Jahangir', 29, and Bilal, 27, told UNI after laying down their weapons before security forces yesterday.

Jahangir had joined the militant group after receiving arms training at Muzaffarabad in 1996 and was operating as 'deputy district commander' of HM in Doda while Bilal got his training in Kashmir after he was picked up by militants in 1998. He was made the 'tehsil commander' of the outfit in Thathri area after the killing of Zargam Wasra.

The duo, which remained active in the upper reaches of Doda and were involved in series of subversive activities during the past ten years, feels that they have stepped in an entirely changed world which has many modern techniques and facilities to serve the interests of people.

''Today I see that life has entirely changed here in the past ten years. The world is indeed beautiful outside the thick forests where we used to hide ourselves from the security forces,'' said Bilal.

The militant, who travelled in bus almost after ten years, after the surrender said, '' I can't explain how amazing it (bus ride) was.'' After their surrender, both the former militants wish to work for security forces in their counter-insurgency operations. ''We were misguided but now we will help local youths in not following our path and join the world full of miseries. We will help army finish militancy in the state,'' Jahangir said.

HM's former deputy district commander said they decided to leave the militant group after they saw torture of local militants and civilian population by foreign mercenaries.

However, after laying down their weapons, they suspect that Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) militants would threaten their family members.

A total of eight militants, including five of HM and three from LeT, surrendered this month before security forces in Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sources said security forces were receiving more offers of local militants to surrender. However, it is subject to the proper verification by security and intelligence agencies.

UNI