Footballer-turned-LeT militant didn't surrender, only contacted family: J&K police

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday refuted reports that a young footballer, who disappeared from his home in southern Anantnag district last week and joined militant outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, surrendered before the Army on Thursday.

Inspector General of Police (Kashmir range) Munir Ahmed Khan said the footballer-turned-militant, Majid Irshad Khan, has only contacted his family, expressing a wish to return home.

"He hasn't surrendered nor apprehended, so far. He should certainly come back. Let's hope he returns," the IGP said.

Reports had earlier said that the 20-year-old college student surrendered before the Army’s 1 Rashtriya Rifles somewhere in Anantnag on Thursday night and was later handed over to ‘Victor Force’, a counterinsurgency force of the Army.

It was also reported that the Army, and the Jammu and Kashmir Police interrogated Majid.

The 'Victor Force' officials along with their counterparts from Jammu and Kashmir Police will address a press conference later on Friday.

His parents took the help of social media and went on television to appeal him to shun militancy and return home.

His father Irshad Ahmed Khan, 59, had suffered a heart attack after learning that his son was among the militants trapped in Kulgam district when the security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation a few days back.

His mother Aisha Begum has not eaten since last Thursday, when the footballer’s photograph showing him carrying an AK-47 assault rifle with a message that he had joined the militants group went viral on social media.