“I have no regrets instead I am happy the wish of my beloved son got fulfilled. He was determined to attain martyrdom and he always used to tell me he will die as martyr and people in thousands will join his funeral procession,” Parveena Akhtar, the mother of Hizb militant Dawood Ahmed told CNS at her residential house when the whole area was resounding with pro-freedom slogans. Parveena said that I kept my promise and did not shed tears over the martyrdom of my son. “Dawood had been repeatedly telling me not to shed tears over his death. I kept my promise. I am really a proud mother. He was an obedient son who vigorously followed the tenants of Islam,” she said.
Recounting the memories, Parveena said two days before his (Dawood’s) martyrdom; he had come to meet her. “It was a brief but emotional meeting. He lamented that he is unable to serve me but promised he will take me to paradise with him. His heart was filled with love for Kashmir and it was Islam that motivated him to join militant ranks,” Parveena who is a widow said.The brothers of Dawood were numb and didn’t utter a word, however close relatives of the slain militant said that family had no control over Dawood as he had chosen his path and was firm to take to arms. “Before joining militancy Dawood was an active stone-pelter. He was deeply religious and the one who always used to carry of copy of Holy Quran with him,” they said.Hizb militant Dawood Ahmed Sheikh who lost his life in a gun battle with government forces at Buchroo hamlet of Kulgam district is survived by mother, two younger brothers and two sisters. He was active from last 3 years and due to his proximity with Hizb commander Burhan Wani he was known as ‘Chota Burhan.’ (CNS)