BARKHA DUTT recalls her meeting with the Hizbul chief, whom the US has named a global terrorist. The distinction between foreign and homegrown terrorists in Kashmir is over
In July 2001, just days ahead of the Agra Summit between India and Pakistan, I interviewed Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Kashmiri terrorist group Hizbul Mujahideen. We met in Rawalpindi, home to the headquarters of the Pakistan army, at a nondescript three bedroom bungalow where the Hizb ran an office as casually and confidently as if it were, let’s say, a travel agency. Except, men armed with automatic weapons guarded it and warned us not to train our cameras on their faces, though we were welcome to zoom our lens onto their guns.
Salahuddin, one of Kashmir’s most wanted militants, sat behind a small wooden table, and offered us chips and Coke, while holding forth on the upcoming meeting between Prime Minister Vajpayee and President Musharraf. As he alternated between English and Kashmiri, I asked him if the Hizb would put militant activities on hold at least during the talks, so as to not sabotage their outcome. He refused to make any commitment, turning his diatribe on L.K. Advani and his rath yatra. He was more circumspect, even respectful, about Vajpayee, saying he was counting on his “practical nature” to ensure that the talks were successful.
Outside, one of the gunmen chillingly boasted about a gun he had snatched from an army officer in Kashmir, which he had then gifted to “Pir sahib”, as Salahuddin was known to his acolytes. Considered a dreaded terrorist in India, he was almost like a state guest in Pakistan.
This story is from the July 09, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 09, 2017 edition of THE WEEK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Between hospital and home
Transitional care centres can add a lot to India's health care system
EFFORT VS EFFECT
The government's attempts to ensure quality drugs is evident, but how well new policies can be monitored on the ground remains to be seen
A way to let go of fear
Accepting the use of adult diapers is a journey with various stages-denial, concealment, rejection and reluctance
Mandeeps & a miracle
Two strangers, one deadly disease and an act of kindness. How Mandeep Mann saved Mandeep Singh, an acute leukaemia patient, by donating his stem cells
The A, B, C of cosmetic surgery
Between eight to 10 lakh cosmetic surgeries happen in India every year. Who is an ideal candidate, and what are the risks and results you can expect?
Vaccines and meningitis
In sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and encompassing the northern part of Nigeria, there exists a region known as the African Meningitis Belt (AMB).
Celebrating diversity and inclusivity
As Indians battle it out in our nation's 18th general election, it is again time for voters to reflect on the \"Idea of India\"-or rather, on two duelling ideas of India that are now before us and between which the nation must choose at the ballot box.
Defendant: an Hermès handbag
When Hermès was hit with a class-action lawsuit last month for \"antitrust\" activities, it didn't see it coming. Most of the luxury world has all eyes on this suit, filed by two interested consumers who claim they were denied a purchase, and whether it would go to trial.
A legacy, bound
Amal Allana's biography of her father, Ebrahim Alkazi, is as much personal as it is historical
Cutting-edge chronicle
In his new book, Salman Rushdie's pen is mightier than the knife