Aakash Hassan
ISLAMABAD
The young Nasir is wailing besides the body of his friend, wrapped in green shroud: Meaani yaaro, tresh ma lajiyo? (O’ my friend, do you feel thirsty?) On the varanda of Dar’s in Batengo Islamabad, is laying their beloved son, Yawar.
On Friday evening, stone pelting was reported on highway at Batengo. In an ensued night, forces clamped down the village.
“Huge number of forces entered into the village and started vandalizing property,” said a local. “Not a single vehicle parked in the lawns was left without damage.”
‘Operation ransacking’ continued till Saturday morning. By daybreak, the raids began.
“Huge number of forces, at around 10 am, entered into the village and started vandalizing property again,” said an eyewitness. “They stormed in houses and detained youth. Some youth began running and they were caught by forces hiding behind a wall. One of them fired.”
Yawar was hit. For nearly 10 minutes, no one was able to reach to him “in presence of large number of forces”.
As he was shifted to district hospital Islamabad, doctors brought him declared dead. “He had suffered pellet injuries in chest and abdomen,” said a medico who attended him. “Apparently, he was hit from close range.”
Yawar had left studies few years before after passing his Class 10. He was now working with a private motor company to support his poor family.
“His father is selling tea at Khanabal sumo stand, and due to financial problems, the siblings began working to help his father,” said Yawar’s friend.
Aspiring to be a successful businessman, says his friend, “Yawar was hard working, eager to take his family out from poverty.”
Loud cries of Yawar’s mother, Nargis, are echoing in the Dar’s lawns, leaving every eye moist: “Won’t I celebrate Eid when I have been gifted with martyr son!”
When Yawar was taken for the funeral, shells burst on one after another, making the mourners run for cover. Amid raining shells, the villagers say, three women and a youth brought the dead body back.
Hours later as guns fell silent, Yawar’s body was finally lifted for funeral. His sister Nargis was seen raising her hands, and crying, “Mea kus laage manzze, bayo!” (Who will hennaed my hands, brother!)
