Ganderbal, May 09: Abdul Rahim Bhat, the father of Ganderbal’s slain University teacher, Mohammad Rafi Bhat today refuted the claims which suggested that his son was ready to surrender before the government forces.
Talking to the ‘Kashmir Images’, Bhat said, “On Friday morning Rafi talked with me on phone saying ‘the time for my martyrdom has arrived and I have chosen this path. Make arrangements for my funeral’.”
Abdul Rahim further said, “His decision was firm, he had no remorse over it. He was educated enough to understand his decision.”
While speaking to a group of people who had gathered at his residence to mourn the death of Rafi, Bhat said, “Rafi was a religious, and an obedient son. His caring and loving attitude made everyone to adore him. I am proud of my son, he didn’t hurt me.”
Bhat also advised a group of students from Kashmir University, who had come to condole the death of their teacher, to “study with dedication. Education makes you strong; it will lead you to a right path.”
Bhat also castigated a section of media over what he called as “baseless reporting” over his son’s death. “Some media organizations have reported that forces gave Rafi ample time to surrender which is baseless, because we were yet to reach Shopian when my son was killed in the encounter.”
Talking to the ‘Kashmir images’, SSP Ganderbal Fayaz Ahmad Lone said, “I talked to the father of Rafi and told him to accompany me to the encounter site where he could persuade his son to surrender. Some family members along with Abdul Rahim accompanied us to Shopian and on the way, the family insisted that they want to take some more relatives along, which resulted in the delay.”
However, he said that Shopian police chief himself used a public address system to repeatedly ask Rafi to surrender.
“We are ascertaining the facts as what actually happened inside the house where Rafi was trapped along with other militants,” SSP Ganderbal said.
