SRINAGAR – A last call seeking forgiveness by a Kashmiri freedom fighter tohis father, before he is martyred by the security forces, has taken socialmedia by storm.

Aetimaad Hussain Malik was among the five local youth martyred in theencounter at Kachidoora village of South Kashmir’s Shopian district onSunday. Three army soldiers were also killed in the encounter.

However, Aetimaad’s last six-minute phone call to his father, where he isheard telling his father to forgive him.

“We tried our best. Abrar (code name of another slain ultra, Ishfaq Thokar)has been hit in the head,” he told his father.

A highly-educated and affluent individual, Aetimaad had completed his MPhiland ended up joining Hizbul Mujhadeen around four months ago. He was namedin two FIRs and booked under Section 341 (wrongful restraint), 506(Criminal Intimidation) Ranbir Penal Code and 16 Unlawful Activities(Prevention) Act.

However, in a wretched twist to the saga, Aetimaad’s father is heard askinghis son not to surrender and instead remain steadfast. “I will not ask youto surrender. God had gifted you to me and I am returning him the same. Iwill pray to Allah to give you strength to be steadfast,” he said.

Ambarkar Shriram Dinkar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Shopian, saidthat they do not have the technical confirmation of whether it isAetimaad.”However, the conversion seems to be by and large with respect to theencounter at Kachidoora,” he said.