'Militants dying of diseases, injuries in Kashmir'

Militants in the Kashmir valley are increasingly finding it difficult to get medical aid and many of them are dying due to various diseases and bullet wounds, a surrendered Ultra has claimed.

"Most of the militants, particularly lower cadres, are suffering from various diseases, infections and bullet injuries," 24-year-old Abdul Kayum Wani, a former militant, said.

Wani, who was initially employed as a teacher in a Chenab school at Doda, joined Hizbul Mujahideen in May 2007.

"Most of the terrorists have a life span of two-three years, as they are either shot dead by the security forces or die of bullet injuries, infections and related medical problems," Wani said.

Army officials say these militants should surrender so that they get proper treatment.

"These militants should surrender and join the mainstream. They would get treatment and would recover from the diseases and can start a new life instead of slowly dying of the disease," a senior army officer said.

Over 300 militants operate in Chenab valley area at present and most of them are from Hizbul outfit, he said.

According to Wani, many senior militant leaders are also suffering from various ailments.

He said a self-styled district commander of Hizbul Jamed Ahmed survived an encounter with army in Doda last year, but is crippled due to a splinter injury in the back.

Another self-styled militant commander Abdul Qayum is suffering from diabetes and takes insulin injections regularly, Wani said, adding Qayum's left toe is also affected by frostbite.

Similarly, another militant Khursheed Ahmed has severe back problem and cannot walk long distances, Wani said.

Giving details of other militants suffering from various problems, he said 22-year-old section commander Noor Mohammad Wani could not use his left arm properly, while Lashkar-e-Tayiba commander Ashiq Hussain has stones in his kidney.

When doctors advised him an operation, his seniors refused to give him money and abandoned him. He was later arrested by the police, he claimed.