Burhan Wani Explained
Burhan Wani (19 September 1994 – 8 July 2016) was the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen, an Islamist militant organization and terrorist group of the Kashmir conflict. He had become a popular figure amongst the local Kashmiri populace, having done so primarily through a strong social media presence, and was responsible for moulding the insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir into a youth-oriented movement. Wani was a militant leader and had reportedly recruited numerous foot-soldiers through his personal efforts.[5]
As a militant leader, Wani was actively sought by Indian security forces, who had imposed a bounty for his capture. He was located in a remote village in the Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir and subsequently killed in a firefight with Indian forces on 8 July 2016. Wani's killing sparked massive protests across the entire Kashmir Valley[6] [7] [8] in what became the worst span of unrest in the region since the 2010 unrest.[9] [10] As a result, the state of Jammu and Kashmir was placed under 53 consecutive days of curfew, which was fully lifted by 31 August 2016.[11] [12] [13] The protests that followed Wani's killing resulted in the deaths of more than 96 people[14] and injuries to over 15,000 civilians and 4,000 Indian security personnel.[15] [16]
Biography
Wani was born in 1994 in Dadasara, a village situated on the outskirts of the town of Tral in the Pulwama district of India Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, to Muzaffar Ahmad Wani, the principal of a public higher-secondary school, and Maimoona Muzaffar, a postgraduate of science who taught Quran classes in her village. He had four siblings.[17] [18] [19] [20] The town of TraI has been a perpetual militant hotbed of hardline separatism.[21]
Wani planned to be a doctor and had obtained more than 90% marks in his Class 8 exam but left his home on 16 October 2010, ten days before his secondary exam and enrolled for the militant cause at about an age of 15, joining Hizbul Mujahideen.[22] His family claims that the root of his disillusion with Indian state apparatus laid in an incident in the last summer, whence state police allegedly beat him up, along with his brother Khalid and a friend for no fault of theirs, after asking them to purchase cigarettes for them.[23] Burhan's cousins were already involved with the militant movement since about 2008, and had joined Hizbul Mujahideen in 2010.
Burhan Wani used social-media, leveraging "a clever mix of ideology, religion and a deep sense of persecution" in chaste Kashmiri to romanticize the militant movement and wielded unforeseen influence in the local populace as a poster-boy, attracting numerous young adults into the cause.[24] He oft-elaborated about the idea of India being entirely incompatible with Islam thus mandating a destruction at any cost, and aimed of unfurling the flag of Islam on Delhi's Red Fort. In 2013 Burhan's notability as a mujahid was further boosted, after he was erroneously described as being killed, across social media.[25]
There was a remarkable increase in the anti-India rhetoric of Burhan's speeches, after his brother Khalid was killed by the Indian Army on 13 April 2015 when he went to meet him (Burhan), along with three friends. The army claimed that Khalid was a militant sympathizer who had taken his friends to get them recruited and was subsequently killed in an encounter. The family of Khalid however alleged that he died in custody, claiming that his body showed no bullet wounds but clinical signs of physical torture.[26] [27] The three friends of Khalid meanwhile escaped but ran into an army cordon, where they alleged being tortured before being rescued by the state police.
In August 2015, the state government imposed a bounty of ₹10,00,000 on Burhan's head. In another report, The Diplomat claimed that Burhan had $1500 bounty on him.[28] A Facebook post about a month back showing Burhan along with 10 other militants in militant attire with heavy arms had gone viral in Kashmir. The videos however continued, with him urging people to take up arms against the state and refusing to collaborate with Indian elements.[29] [30] Police have often approached the judiciary, for enacting bans on social networking pages that disseminated Burhan's messages. In a video released in June 2016, he assured the Amarnath pilgrims of a safe passage but had threatened to attack proposed resettlement colonies for Kashmiri Pandits, in opposition to an Israel-like solution, and colonies for armed forces. He also urged the state-police to stay out of their way, threatening to attack all security forces.[31] Although no attack has ever been traced back to him, he is believed to have masterminded several of them.
Death
Burhan Wani was killed in an anti-insurgency operation on 8 July 2016 along with two other militants, later identified as Sartaj Ahmad Sheikh and Pervaiz Ahmad Lashkari. He and his companions were killed in Bumdoora village in Kokernag area by a joint team of the special operations group of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and 19 Rashtriya Rifles. Security forces later stated that the operation had actually begun on 7 June when Burhan, along with his companions, had come to Kokernag in order to procure weapons.[32] Some army and police officials later said that the security forces had received intelligence regarding the presence of Sheikh but did not know Wani too was present along with him.[33] The state's Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti and the Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Kumar Singh also stated that the security forces were unaware of his presence and would have given him a chance had they known about his presence there.[34] [35]
According to police officials, the security forces faced resistance from locals who resorted to stone-pelting. The encounter began at 16:30 and ended at 18:15. The militants were hiding in a house during the operation and started firing on the troops conducting search operations. All three were killed in the ensuing encounter. Jammu and Kashmir Police's Director General K. Rajendra confirmed that Wani was killed in an exchange of fire between security personnel and the militants.[36] [37] [38]
The local residents denied awareness of Wani's presence in the village. According to them, the police arrived around noon and said that they were combing the area in preparation for an inauguration by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. They cordoned off the area by 16:00 and took positions around the house where Burhan and his associates were present. When the militants tried to come out and escape, they were shot down. After their death, hundreds of villagers came out mourning the death and clashed with the police, CRPF and attacked army camps in the area.[39] He is believed to have been succeeded by Sabzar Bhat,[40] [41] who was also killed by Indian security forces shortly afterwards.
Reaction
See main article: 2016 Kashmir unrest.
A large crowd attended his funeral on 9 July. The crowd was estimated to number 200,000 and was described by reporters as the largest ever gathering.[42] [43] [44] The last rite prayers were also performed in absentia in all major towns of Kashmir.[45] His body wrapped in the flag of Pakistan was buried next to that of his brother Khalid in Tral. Militants were also present at his funeral and offered him a three-volley salute.[46]
After the news of his death spread, violent protests erupted in some areas of Kashmir Valley.[47] Separatist leaders called for shutdown in Kashmir which was repeatedly extended before being called off in February 2017.[48] Police stations and security forces were attacked by mobs. Stone pelting was reported from many parts in Kashmir,[49] [50] including upon transit camps of Kashmiri Pandits. Internet services along with train services were suspended and the national highway was shut down. The Amarnath pilgrimage was repeatedly resumed and suspended due to the unrest.[51] [52] [53] [54] [55] More than 200 Kashmiri Pandit employees fled the transit camps during night time on 12 July due to the attacks by protesters on the camps.[56] [57] The house where Burhan was killed was set ablaze by a mob on suspicion that its residents had tipped-off the security forces about Burhan. Curfew was imposed in all districts of Kashmir on 15 July and mobile phone networks were suspended.[58] The curfew was lifted from all parts on 31 August 2016. More than 90 people died in the unrest[59] [60] [61] [62] and over 15,000 civilians were injured.[15] Indian security forces reportedly used assault rifles to open fire on protestors.[63] Over 4,000 security personnel were also injured during the unrest.
Peoples Democratic Party leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig alleged that the standard operating procedure had not been followed during the encounter involving Wani and his accomplices. Baig demanded that a commission be appointed to probe Wani's killing.[64] Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh refused, stating that it was an anti-terrorist operation and there was no need for an inquiry.[65]
A day after Wani's death former Chief Minister of state Omar Abdullah said that his killing had made him the new icon of the disaffected section of the Kashmiri society and further warned that more Kashmiris will join the militancy after his death.[66] On 12 July, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a statement expressed "shock" over the killing of Burhan Wani[67] which was criticised by the Indian government.[68] Sharif called Wani a "martyr" on 15 July. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs in response criticized Pakistan for "glorifying" terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organisations.[69] Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticised the media alleging it was portraying the slain Wani as a hero.[70] Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi during meeting with UN officials raised the killing of Wani describing it as an "assassination of a Kashmiri youth leader".[71] During his speech at the United Nations General Assembly on 21 September, Sharif described Burhan Wani as a "young leader" who had emerged as a symbol of the latest "Kashmiri Intifada".[72]
His family was allowed to be given ex-gratia compensation of ₹4,00,000 by the Jammu and Kashmir government in December 2016 for the controversial killing of his older brother Khalid. This led to protest by opposition parties[73] as well as Bharatiya Janta Party.[74] Chief Minister Mufti denied on 18 January 2017 that any compensation had been paid.
Legacy
In July 2017, Pakistan Today praised Wani and compared his death to the death of Che Guevara, stating "History repeats itself".[75]
On the Pakistani independence day in August 2017, Wani was featured on a special train named Azadi Train which was organised by Pakistan Railways in the memory of the country's national heroes.[76]
India arrested journalist Asif Sultan in August 2019, after he wrote a piece titled "The Rise of Burhan Wani".[77]
Zulkaif Riaz published a biograph of Wani in September 2020, titled Burhan Muzaffar Wani.[78] [79]
Wani became the face of the Kashmir independence movement,[80] and was also compared with the revolutionary Bhagat Singh.[81] [82]
Wani had released a group photo on 1 July 2015 of himself seated with ten other militants, all armed and dressed in army fatigues, which went viral. The militants in the photo were Sabzar Ahmad Bhat, Waseem Malla, Naseer Ahmad Pandit, Ishfaq Hameed, Tariq Ahmad Pandit, Afaaquallah Bhat, Adil Ahmad Khanday, Saddam Padder, Waseem Ahmad Shah and Anees.[83] They have all since been killed, apart from Tariq, who surrendered in May 2016.
In popular culture
See also
External links
Notes and References
- News: Burhan Wani incident shows that homegrown militancy is back after a prolonged hiatus. The Economic Times. 2 August 2016. 14 March 2017 . Hakeem . Irfan.
- News: Kashmir: Mob sets ablaze house in which Burhan Wani was killed. Deccan Chronicle. 14 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Curfew in Srinagar, Amarnath Yatra Suspended After Hizbul's Wani Killed. NDTV. 9 July 2016. 17 July 2016 . Barkha . Dutt . Nazir . Masoodi . Surabhi . Pandey.
- Web site: J&K: Top Hizbul terrorist killed in encounter with security forces. Deccan Chronicle. 9 July 2016.
- News: Why the death of militant Burhan Wani has Kashmiris up in arms. Shujaat. Bukhari. BBC. 11 July 2016. 30 July 2016.
- News: This militant was a folk hero on social media. Now his death has roiled Indian Kashmir.. The Washington Post. 19 August 2017. 11 July 2016.
- Book: Arya, Divya . Postbox kashmir : Two Lives in Letters . Penguin Random House India Private Limited . Inc OverDrive . 2021 . 978-93-5492-049-3 . Noida, Uttar Pradesh . 1290491980.
- News: Doctors stage protest in J-K against civilian deaths in Kashmir unrest. 17 August 2016. The Indian Express. Kashmir Valley is on the boil since July 9, a day after Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani was killed in an encounter with security forces in Anantnag district of south Kashmir. The widespread protests claimed the lives of 55 people and left over 6000 injured, with hundreds hit by pellets in their eyes as a result of which, doctors say, a number of youths have lost their eye sight..
- News: India's Modi lashes out at Pakistan, Pakistan hits back. 17 August 2016. Reuters. 15 August 2016. Modi met national party leaders on Friday to seek ways to end the worst unrest in Kashmir since 2010..
- News: Five civilians killed, 31 injured in fresh firing in Kashmir; toll reaches 65. 17 August 2016. Hindustan Times. 17 August 2016. The worst violence since 2010 – when the Valley was rocked by similar protests leaving scores dead and injured – has sparked a verbal spat between India and Pakistan, both blaming each other for the flare-up..
- News: Curfew lifted from Valley, one killed in clash in Sopore. 31 August 2016. Press Trust of India. 31 August 2016.
- News: One killed, 100 injured in Valle. Peerzada Ashiq. The Hindu. 31 August 2016. 31 August 2016.
- News: Curfew lifted from entire Kashmir valley, says Div Com. Greater Kashmir. 31 August 2016. 31 August 2016. 21 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190321142159/https://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/kashmir/story/227253.html. dead.
-
- News: After 15000 injuries, Govt to train forces in pellet guns. Akmali. Mukeet. 23 January 2017. Greater Kashmir. 27 January 2017. 26 January 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170126190856/http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/front-page/after-15000-injuries-govt-to-train-forces-in-pellet-guns/239453.html. dead.
- News: Pakistan fomenting trouble, but Modi will solve Kashmir issue: Mehbooba Mufti. 29 August 2016. The Times of India. 30 August 2016.
- Web site: Violence breaks out in Tral after youth killed in 'gun battle' with Army. 15 April 2015. The Hindu. 9 July 2016.
- News: Kashmir tense after Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani's killing. International Business Times. 10 July 2016. 10 July 2016.
- News: Guns 'n' poses: The new crop of militants in Kashmir. The Indian Express. 26 July 2015. 24 July 2016.
- News: Who Was Burhan Wani And Why Is Kashmir Mourning Him?. Piyasree. Gupta. HuffPost. 11 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: Groups of wrath. Bhat. Tariq. 18 October 2015. The Week. 20 January 2020. 15 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220715190453/https://www.theweek.in/theweek/statescan/terrorist-burhan-muzaffar-wani-made-militancy-look-glamorous-in-kashmir.html. dead.
- News: Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani Killed in Encounter in Kashmir. 8 July 2016. 9 July 2016. News18.com.
- Web site: A Year After Burhan Wani's Death, His Father Remembers His Life. Maqbool. Majid. The Caravan. 2020-01-20.
- News: Rs 10 Lakhs Offer to Find Burhan, 21, Who is All Over Social Media. Nazir Masoodi. 17 August 2015. 26 December 2015. NDTV.
- News: WhatsApp warriors on the new frontline of Kashmir's conflict. Safi. Michael. 8 July 2017. The Guardian. 10 July 2017. Among militants, the digital pioneer was a young Hizbul mujahideen commander called Burhan Wani. His rise to be the most-followed militant in Kashmir started by accident, local journalists say. Early in 2013, supporters thought the teenage Wani had been killed in a gunfight with security forces. As was traditional, pictures of the deceased militant flooded social media. Wani had actually survived the encounter, but was suddenly the best-known fighter in Kashmir..
- Web site: Violence breaks out in Tral after youth killed in 'gun battle' with Army. 15 April 2015. The Hindu. 22 August 2016.
- Web site: 'If my son was killed in encounter why his body didn't bear a bullet wound?'. 14 April 2015. The Indian Express. 9 July 2016.
- News: Shah . Fahad . Fahad Shah. 14 July 2016 . Burhan Wani's Killing Brings Kashmir to a Crossroads . .
- Book: Zutshi, Chitralekha . Kashmir : History, Politics, Representation . . 2017 . 978-1-107-18197-7 . Cambridge, United Kingdom . 240 . 995355501.
- News: In new video, J-K militant Burhan Wani asks youth to join him. https://web.archive.org/web/20150828235923/http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/in-new-video-j-k-militant-burhan-wani-asks-youth-to-join-him/article1-1384504.aspx. dead. 28 August 2015. . 26 August 2015 . Toufiq . Rashid . 26 December 2015.
- News: Most-wanted terror leader assures safe Amarnath yatra. Daily News and Analysis. 8 June 2016. 9 July 2016.
- News: Hizbul Commander Burhani Wani wanted more weapons in his final hours. Daily News and Analysis. Azaan. Javaid. 10 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: Burhan Wani's death: Op wasn't for him, had targeted another militant. Harinder. Baweja. Hindustan Times. 11 July 2016. 24 July 2016.
- News: If forces knew it was Burhan, they would have given him a chance: Mehbooba. Toufiq. Rashid. Hindustan Times. 28 July 2016. 30 July 2016.
- News: We did not know about Burhan Wani's presence at encounter site: J&K Deputy CM Nirmal Singh. Ankita. Rajeshwari. The Times of India. 30 July 2016. 31 July 2016.
- News: Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani killed in J&K encounter. The Times of India. 8 July 2016. 30 July 2016.
- News: Kashmir on boil after face of new militancy, Burhan Wani, is shot dead. The Indian Express. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016 . Mir . Ehsan.
- News: No militancy related incident attributed to Burhan Wani, says Omar Abdullah. India Today. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016. Naseer . Ganai.
- http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2016/07/journey-heart-kashmir-crisis-160715115636351.html A journey into the heart of Kashmir's crisis
- News: Burhan Wani's father attends funeral of Hizbul militant Sabzar Bhat . . Hizbul Mujahideen militant Sabzar Ahmad Bhat was buried in his village in Pulwama on Sunday morning, a day after the 27-year-old was killed in a gun fight with security forces in south Kashmir. . Toufiq . Rashid . 28 May 2017.
- News: Kashmir conflict: Top militant Sabzar Bhat killed, police say . . 27 May 2017 . 27 May 2017.
- News: With Burhan's death, militant icon is born; lakhs participate in his funeral. India Today. 9 July 2016. 10 July 2016.
- News: Fahad Shah . Burhan Wani's killing brings Kashmir to a crossroads . . 14 July 2016.
- News: Baba Umar . Kashmir on fire . The Diplomat . 13 July 2016.
- News: Praveen Swami . Decoding Burhan Wani's death: As rage gets younger, new hotspots emerge in Valley's islands of calm . The Indian Express . 26 July 2016.
- News: Praveen Swami . Militants offer three-volley salute to Hizb commander Burhan Wani . Greater Kashmir . 8 September 2016.
- News: Social media outrages over alleged blocking of pro-Kashmir activist's Facebook account. Firstpost. 11 July 2016. 30 July 2016.
- News: Burhan Wani encounter:12 civilians killed, 200 injured, 6 companies of CRPF rushed into Kashmir. India Today. 9 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Don't Want To Kill Our Own, Say Police on Kashmir Clashes After Burhan Wani's Killing. NDTV. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016.
- News: Srinagar: Separatists call off strike on Friday due to Shivaratri. Hindustan Times. 20 February 2017. 3 March 2017.
- News: Everything You Need To Know About Burhan Wani – The Hizbul Mujahideen Posterboy Killed in an Encounter in Kashmir. The Times of India. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016.
- News: Amarnath pilgrims stranded after vehicular traffic suspended along Jammu-Srinagar highway. The Indian Express. 9 July 2016. 9 July 2016.
- News: Amarnath Yatra resumes after three days, heavy security for pilgrims. The Indian Express. Sharma. Arun. 11 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Burhan Wani death: Amarnath Yatra suspended again over fresh disturbances. Daily News and Analysis. 13 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Amarnath yatra resumes from Jammu. The Times of India. 16 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Pandits Leave Valley, Threaten Not to Join Jobs in Kashmir. Outlook. 13 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Kashmiri pandits hold protest for second day. Zee News. 15 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Burhan Wani Killing: Authorities Impose Curfew Across Kashmir Valley Today. NDTV. 15 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: 2016 Unrest: Not even one probe into killings completed. 6 December 2016. Greater Kashmir. 27 January 2017. While 96 civilians were killed in security forces' action post the killing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander BurhanWani, the Government ordered magisterial inquiries into only five such killings..
- News: Day 85 Toll 92: Hit by pellets on Sep 15, Budgam youth succumbs at SKIMS. 1 October 2016. Greater Kashmir. 27 January 2017.
- News: Indian troops kill three suspected separatists in Kashmir. 24 January 2017. The Nation. 27 January 2017. Agence France-Presse. The incident sparked months of anti-India unrest which left more than 90 civilians dead..
- News: Kashmir unrest: What was the real death toll in the state in 2016?. Yasir. Sameer. 2 January 2017. 27 January 2017. Firstpost.
- News: Protests intensify in Indian Kashmir, security forces kill five. 17 August 2016. Reuters. 16 August 2016. The latest casualties came as security forces opened fire with automatic rifles, a step up from their earlier use of shotguns, whose pellets are meant to incapacitate but not kill..
- News: PDP Leader Demands Probe into Burhan Wani's Killing, Says Rules Violated. Nazir. Masoodi. NDTV. 14 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: Nirmal rebuffs Baig, says no to inquiry into Burhan's killing. The Tribune. 15 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: Burhan Wani More Dangerous in Death Than in Life, Says Omar Abdullah. NDTV. 9 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: Nawaz Sharif expresses shock over killing of Burhan Wani. The Indian Express. 11 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Pakistan's view on Burhan Wani reflects its association with terrorism: Govt. The Indian Express. 12 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Sharif calls Burhan a martyr, sparks another India-Pak war of words. The Indian Express. 15 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: PM Narendra Modi 'unhappy' over media coverage of terrorist Burhan Wani being portrayed as 'hero'?. Zee News. 13 July 2016. 17 July 2016.
- News: Pakistan raises Kashmir issue with UN officials. The Indian Express. 21 July 2016. 23 July 2016.
- News: At UN, Sharif talks of 'Intifada' in J&K, India says Pak 'in complete denial'. Chidanand. Rajghatta. The Times of India. 22 September 2016. 22 September 2016.
- News: At Row Over Compensation For Terrorist Burhan Wani's Brother. Nazir. Masoodi. NDTV. 15 December 2016. 1 January 2017.
- News: J&K Govt names Burhan brother in compensation list, ally BJP protests. Bashaarat. Masood. Arun. Sharma. The Indian Express. 14 December 2016. 1 January 2017.
- Web site: Burhan Wani: A man to remember. Pakistan Today. 19 August 2017. 7 July 2017.
- Web site: Pakistan's 'Azadi Train' depicts Hizb militant Burhan Wani as national hero. Hindustan Times. 19 August 2017. 19 August 2017.
- News: Jailed Kashmiri journalist who won US media award was arrested after Burhan Wani profile. theprint.in. Azaan Javid. 24 August 2019. 10 May 2021.
- Web site: Burhan Muzaffar Wani book by Zulkaif riaz. Goodreads. 26 September 2020. 26 September 2020.
- Book: Burhan Muzaffar Wani free ebook – Google books. 2020-09-26. 9798688329599. Zulkaif riaz . 22 September 2020.
- News: Anand . Geeta . Kumar . Hari . 14 November 2016 . Kashmir Is Paralyzed by an 'Adored' Band of Militants . . 4 January 2017 . Seventy-six people have been killed in the violence, the police in Kashmir say, while local activists put the toll at closer to 100..
- News: Separatist Mirwaiz Farooq to India Today: Like Bhagat Singh, Burhan Wani was a freedom fighter . 12 July 2020. 13 July 2016 . India Today.
- News: The new abnormal in Kashmir . Jean . Drèze . . 25 November 2016 . 12 July 2020.
- News: Remember Burhan Wani's viral group photo? 2 years on, security forces have neutralised all but one. Pandey. Surabhi. 14 October 2017 . Daily News and Analysis. 19 December 2017.
- News: Deb Roy . Lachmi . Yami Gautam’s Article 370 movie: Who was Burhan Wani; the Kashmiri terrorist? . 19 April 2024 . . 23 February 2024 . en-us.
- News: Pant . Asmita . Review Article 370: A cinematic dive into the Kashmir conundrum backed with powerful performances . 19 April 2024 . . 23 February 2024 . en.