Kashmir Unrest: Tale of Three ‘Danishs’ Strangely United in Death

Daanish Bin Nabi talks to the families of three boys named Danish in Kashmir, who’re strangely united in death.

Out of 90 people who have been killed during the skirmishes since the latest uprising in Kashmir, three youth namely ‘Danish’ also lost their lives.

The Quint brings you the story of Danish Ahmed Lone, Danish Rasool Mir and Danish Sultan, who are united in death by a quirk of fate.

Danish Lone Had Gone to Meet Relatives

Danish Lone died in his hometown Sopore, on 5 August 2016 – considered to be the “Bloodiest Friday” Kashmir has witnessed in its recent turbulent history.

This time Danish had gone to meet his relatives and was stuck there for three days due to the volatile situation, least knowing he would never see his mother, siblings and school again.

His funeral was attended by hundreds of people at Eidgah Wagoora.

Danish Rasool Mir, Who Always Feared the Army

Danish Rasool Mir of Wagoora in Baramulla district was killed after policemen fired at him at Batapora, Sopore.

“He left home on Wednesday and promised me to come back by Friday. He came exactly on Friday but on four shoulders and his body wrapped in a shroud. He was a very reserved boy and hardly talked to anyone at home. He was only 18 and I was told he was shot by some Sikh SP in Sopore,” says Danish’s uncle Mohammad Shafi Mir.

Danish’s childhood was marred with fear, threat, terror and intimidation by the Indian Army. His nightmare came true on 31 August, when he was killed by the same army. 

'Had Advised His Brother Not to Pelt Stones'

Danish Ahmed Lone, 18, was a resident of Nadihal, Rafiabad.

“My son was only 18 years old. The day before he was killed, he advised his younger brother not to pelt stone on civilians and private vehicles. He told him, by pelting stones on our people we are damaging our own right cause. I didn’t know these would be his last words,” says Danish’s father Manzoor Ahmed Lone.

Manzoor’s shrieks filled my ears. I could not move a muscle. Slowly, the shrieks subsided. He was now sobbing. I could almost see his body heaving in pain.

When he finally spoke, he said, "When you called me, for a moment I thought it’s my own Danish on the other side of the telephone line."

I could not think of a word to say as sorrow throbbed in the intervening silence between us.

The forces also maimed another Danish more than 12 times. Danish Ahmad Dar was hit by pellets in his left eye at Bandipora and is still undergoing treatment at SMHS (Sri Maharaja Hari Singh) hospital.

The most painful and fearful death Danish died was on 2 September. Danish Sultan was only 12 years old. He was out on street with a stone to vent his anger against the killings happening around him.

He was surrounded from two sides by the Indian forces. He tried hard to escape but couldn’t manage to go very far before the raging waters of river Jhelum swallowed him.

Danish Sultan Jumped into River Jhelum

Danish Sultan jumped into river Jhelum, trying not to get caught by the forces. He was laid to rest in Mazar-e-Shuhada, Eidgah. Thousands of people attended his funeral, one of his friends who wished anonymity said, “Danish was so frightened by the rushing forces that he insisted all of us to jump into river Jhelum instead of giving ourselves to the forces. That was the last time I saw his face and will never forget that frightened face of Danish.”

Also Read: In Kashmir, Hurling Stones Symbolises Taking a Shot at Azadi

(The writer is a Srinagar-based freelance journalist. He can be reached at @DaanishNabi. This is an opinion piece and the views expressed above are the author’s own. The Quint neither endorses nor is responsible for the same.)