Kashmiri footballer who joined LeT surrenders before police

Srinagar: Majid Khan, a young footballer from south Kashmir who joined terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba over a week ago, has surrendered before the police after coming across the emotional video of his teary-eyed mother.

The development was confirmed by Jammu and Kashmir police on Friday.

The news was welcomed, with Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti tweeting, "A mother's love prevailed. Her impassioned appeal helped in getting Majid, an aspiring footballer back home. Every time a youngster resorts to violence, it is his family which suffers the most."

Former Chief Minister and National Conference head Omar Abdullah tweeted, "If that's true then it's a very good development. Hope he can go back to leading a normal life and not be harassed."

According to Kashmir police chief Munir Khan, the 20-year-old footballer had contacted his family saying he wants to return.

Khan dismissed reports that Majid Khan had surrendered.

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He said, "He has neither been apprehended nor has he surrendered yet. But he has contacted his family and wants to come back."

"He should certainly come back. Let's hope he returns," the police chief added.

Majid Khan, 20, belonging to Anantnag town, had left home to join the LeT triggering panic in his family.

His mother had made passionate appeals to her son to shun the path of violence and return.

Reports also said his father, Irshad Khan has suffered a heart attack earlier this week when news spread about Majid being trapped in a gunfight with security forces.

On Thursday, IGP Khan had reiterated his appeal to local militants to shun violence and resume normal life by joining their families.