The Valley of Death

           Today the lust green nature of the Kashmir valley has been converted to a battlefield. The extremist of Islam has declared Jihad against the Indians and in the name of Jihad they are massacring thousands of innocent people. The main target of these people is the Sikh and Kashmir pundit community. To save their life and for the betterment of the young generation they are forced to leave all the belongings and flee to the makeshift refugee camps. But fleeing the valley doesn’t really help. They are like refugees in their own country. Sick older generation and a virtually bleak future for younger generation is a main reason of worry. Beside this there is no source of income, not a roof to support from heat, rain and cold.

            There is a little known grocery shop in a market place of a town. It is a bright sunny day and Abdul the owner of the shop is busy checking the stocks when suddenly his eyes fell on a family photograph taken long back. Abdul walked down the memory lane, where he had a complete family and a lovely childhood like many other children of the valley. But on that very day as if the hell fell on their house. He was returning home from the nearby playground when he spotted some strangers in their house. The faces of his parents and brother were grim. Abdul was forced to take his food and go to bed much early of his usual routine. But at the stroke of mid night, Abdul’s awoke with loud noises. Mother’s desperate cry, gunshots and explosions rocked the house. Abdul took shelter under the bed. Hours later they were thrown away from their own house. After that Abdul came to know about the whole affair. His father and brother gave shelter to some fidayeens in their house and the police got the tip-off. The fidayeens were shot dead by the army. But in the cross firing his father and brother were also killed. At that moment a life of 12-year-old boy, who loved to fly kites and disliked schools, was changed forever. Abdul's chain of thought was broken as a customer approached the shop.

            That very night Abdul heard a loud bang on his door, it was police and Abdul was arrested as a suspect. Abdul was unable to understand anything as the events took place too swiftly. His attempt to say anything fell on a deaf ear. After four months in jail he was freed in the judgment of a fast track court. The four months was enough to change the attitude of Abdul. He was jailed on a false charge and now he was determined to take revenge on the system that is solely responsible for his down fall. But the miseries of Abdul were not finished. Outside the jail some rude shocks awaited him. His shop was seized because of non-payment of bank loans and his family consisting of his mother and sister were missing, leaving no trace behind. All the efforts to find them were proved fruitless. It was too much for Abdul. He couldn't bear. Now he has a sole ambition, to take revenge of all his miseries. One of Abdul's friends led him to a terrorist organization that accepted Abdul as a member. He underwent military training in POK. After rigorous training he was all set for action. The 12-year boy who loved kites and disliked schools is with AK 47 and grandees to challenge the society, which demolished his life. He was stationed in Kashmir after training and soon gathered reputation with in the organization. Within a year he was in the most wanted list.

Then one day he was given a top-secret mission. The mission was to attack the Hindu pilgrims attending a religious function. The stage was set for a bloody massacre. Abdul and his mates disguised themselves as pilgrims. Abdul was taking final look on the situation when he traced his mother and sister on the crowd. But the time was running out. Abdul was desperately trying to reach out but the commander gave the order to fire and a bomb was detonated. Suddenly a stampede broke down and the explosion threw Abdul away. His friends came to the rescue and reluctant Abdul was carried to a safe spot. Later he knew that his mother and sister were killed. Abdul was in a real shock. Abdul started crying like a child .He was the killer of his mother and sister. His mates tried to give him condolence but Abdul was unable to understand anything. He said that he was going to surrender and repent for his wrong doings. All were shocked by Abdul's decision but Abdul was firm on it. They tried to persuade him. Even the death threat was of no effect on Abdul's decision.

            After the evening Namaj Abdul picked up his gun and walked towards the police station. He saw back at their hide out but could see nobody. He started walking. Suddenly a stream of bullet pierced his body. Abdul fell on the ground wounded. He was heard murmuring,” I was not a terrorist; the system made me one...” He saw his whole family waiting for him up in the sky. He could see the loving face of his mother who is waiting for Abdul's arrival. At that time a last bullet pierced his chest as the last nail to the coffin.

            Today Abdul is no more but his last words can still be heard. As if he is saying,” I was not a terrorist; they made it out of me...”