J&K Mother Who Pleaded With Militant Son to Surrender Passes Away

80-year-old Janna Begum from Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, has passed away with her final wish to see her militant son surrender unfulfilled. Her son, Riyaz Ahmad, is an 'A-plus' category Hizbul Mujahideen commander with a 10 lakh rupee bounty on his head. Begum had made emotional appeals through social media videos in late 2023, urging him to abandon violence, return home to care for his parents, and be present at her funeral. Despite her repeated pleas, Riyaz never returned. A relative confirmed that her last wish remained unfulfilled. A police official noted that such appeals from families reflect a changing public sentiment against terrorism in the region, emphasizing that those who take up arms face severe consequences, and surrendering is a positive step. Riyaz Ahmad reportedly joined militant groups about 15 years ago and is considered one of the longest-surviving Hizbul commanders in the area.