With Hizbul Mujahideen's poster boy Burhan dead, another worry emerges in the Valley

By Vicky

Updated: Saturday, July 9, 2016, 10:35 [IST]

In the death of Abdul Burhan Wani, there is a great deal of success for the security forces. However there is another worry that the security forces in Kashmir would have to deal with and it is the making of a martyr. Burhan who put a face on the militants of the Hizbul Mujahideen was killed in an encounter yesterday.

Wani joined the ranks of the Hizbul Mujahideen at the age of 16 and since then he has been very active on the social media. He had become the poster boy of the outfit and had been termed as a new age militant of the Valley.

File Photo of most wanted Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani (R), who was killed during an encounter at Kokarnag area of Anantnag District of South Kashmir.

The worry

Intelligence Bureau officials say that every attempt would be made to ensure that the death of Burhan becomes a rallying point in Kashmir. He has already been termed as a martyr. Moreover his death has led to the suspension of the Amarnath Yatra as security agencies fear escalation of violence.

His use of the social media had propelled him to fame in the Valley. In fact it was because of him that the number of local militants in Kashmir outnumbered the foreign terrorists. The highly educated Burhan had become a household name in the Valley and at his home town of Tral he was a hero.

The change in Burhan occurred when he was beaten up by policemen while returning home on a motor cycle with his brother. He was 15 at that time. He left home and then joined the ranks of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

There were no negative reviews that he got for joining the Hizbul. In fact several youth supported him outright and felt that he had done the right thing. Roping in the educated Wani has ensured that the Hizbul functions in a more sophisticated manner.

Intelligence Bureau officials have warned that if the situation is not controlled then there could be wide spread violence. It has been seen in the past as well the number of people who have turned up at the funeral of militants.

IB officials have warned that the situation will be volatile and all efforts should be taken to ensure that the situation does not spiral out of control.