‘Aspiring IAS officer’, Dr Subzar laid to rest in Sangam
Anantnag: Yet another PhD scholar-turned-militant, Dr Subzar Ahmad Sofi who was affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HM) outfit was killed in an encounter with the forces in Wanbal area of Nowgam in the outskirts of Srinagar.
Dr Subzar Ahmad Sofi from Sangam area of Anantnag district was killed along with his aide Asif Shergojri of Khiram on Wednesday.
The Phd scholar-turned-militant was laid to rest in his native village Naina Sangam amid pro-freedom, pro-militant and pro-Islam slogans.
Eyewitnesses said that amid restrictions, thousands of people from different areas of South Kashmir assembled in Sangam area, soon after the news about the death of Subzar spread.
Thousands of men and women assembled in fields next to national highway to take part in last rites of slain Subzar, they said, adding that as soon as Subzar’s body reached in fields where funeral prayers was held, a group of militants including some top commanders of the Hizbul outfit appeared and offered gun salute to their colleague.
The slain local Hizb militant went missing on the day, Burhan Wani, a top Hizb commander was killed in an encounter along with his two associates at Bumdoora village of Kokernag Tehsil in Anantnag on July 08, 2016.
As per his family, Subzar left home for Delhi to join his classes at Jamia Milia where he was pursuing PhD in his favorite subject Botany and was also taking coaching classes to prepare for taking the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) examination.
For next three months, the family of Subzar couldn’t establish any contact with him due to communication blockade in Kashmir post Burhan’s killing, says Bashir Ahmed, father of Subzar, a retired government employee, adding they were expecting him to be at University.
“In October 2016, we got shocked when an Army officer knocked our door and on stepping out he said that your son has joined militant ranks,” he said, adding “we didn’t pay any heed to Army officer’s information.”
However, after an fortnight, Army officer again visited their house and showed them a video in which Subzar was walking with his associates in a forest while carrying AK-47, he said, adding that “we tried to search him, but after failing to search him we lodged an FIR at Police station Bijbehara,” said his mother Hajira Begum.
“I believe that he had joined militancy as we are witnessing atrocities by forces on daily basis that is the reason for young educated youth joining militant ranks,” she said.
“Sometimes in dead of night, I was finding Hajira shedding tears in longing of her son,” said his father, adding that “we were never harassed by forces after Subzar joined militancy.”
“He was very innocent and wouldn’t talk to anyone however, we are yet to know what forced him to join militant ranks,” says his brother Sajad Ahmed, who is pursuing Mphil outside state.
Subzar’s brother said that his militant brother never visited the home since he joined the militant ranks. “I think it is due to his innocence and shyness that he couldn’t face his father,” he said, adding that “he was focusing on his studies as he wanted to achieve something big to help the society but no one among us can answer what prompted him to join militant ranks.”
Before taking admission in Jamia Millia for PhD, Subzar completed his Mphil from Jivagee University Gwalior, MSc from Barkatulla University Bhopal, Bachelors in Education and BSc from Government Degree College Anantnag, he further said, adding that Subzar has also qualified NET, JRF and was preparing for IAS as well besides his PhD.
He was always keen to help the students of locality and encourage them, said his another brother, adding that he started a coaching centre ‘Ascent’ at Sangam where students of locality were taught free of cost.
Besides Subzar, Bashir has three sons and a daughter, who are also highly qualified.
Among three sons, two are government employees.
Jahangeer Ganaie
