Hizb's Hindu commander was policeman's son

Hizb's Hindu commander was policeman's son

WEDNESDAY, 27 JULY 2011 20:03 SRINAGAR- IZHAR ALI/SUHAIL KHAN

Subash Kumar Shan, the top Hizbul Mujahideen Commander killed in a gun-battle yesterday, was the son of a policeman working with the Indian Reserve Police force, sources told Kashmir Dispatch on Wednesday.

A resident of Parmad, 35-year-old Shan was son of a police head constable Jain Lal and is the third Hindu militant killed during the insurgency in the state. Lal serves the IRP 15 Batallion, sources said.

His brother, sources said, is a police follower and is currently undergoing training at Talwara Training College Reasi.

His family today refused to take his body, as sources claimed, Shan had converted to Islam after joining Hizb in mid-June 2001.

“Police informed the parents of his death, but, they refused to attend his final rites,” sources said.

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kishtwar, Kulbeer Singh said the body of militant was handed over to the locals after completion of legal formalities.

Thousands of people took to streets in Marwah area of the district after Shan’s body was handed over to the locals by the police this morning.

According to eye-witnesses, mourners chanted pro-freedom and anti-India slogans while taking the procession through different areas of the locality.

Later, his funeral prayer (Nimaz-e-Jinaza) was offered at Astan Masjid. Imam-e-Hai led the prayers and he was laid to rest at a local graveyard in Marwah.

In 2005, Hizb appointed Shan as the Tehsil commander. He was appointed Deputy Divisional Commander of the outfit last year after remaining district commander for two years, sources said.

“He was a very good motivator. He convinced 5 boys to join the ranks. His area of operation spread across 60 km in the Kishtwar district,” Superintendent of Police Kishtwar was quoted by the police spokesperson on Tuesday.

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