Putting to rest the suspense over the death of Hafeesuddin, 24, one among the 17 persons from the district believed to have joined the dreaded Islamic State (IS) terror brigand, a close family member had received photo of the slain youth’s body informing them of his death in drone strike.
Ashfak Majeed, 25, a native of Padanna, near Cheruvathur, who formed part of those who joined the IS group, while informing close relative of Hafeesuddin about the latter’s death in the attack on February 25, had also sent photographs of the body to a close relative of the slain youth.
Ashfak had sent the message to Khadeeja, Hafeesuddin’s mother, at 7 a.m. and a similar one to B.C.A. Rahman, a close relative of the slain youth, later on February 26 informing the death of Hafeesuddin terming him as “Shaheed” and that “we are awaiting our turn at the Caliphate” where they were leading a life with bliss.
“We opted not to make it public other than informing the senior police officials as they reached Padanna to ascertain the veracity of the message,” T.K. Salam, Hafeesuddin’s maternal uncle told The Hindu here on Wednesday, confirming the youth’s death presumably in an Afghani hill range covered with thick layer of snow.
A similar photo with the body, wearing jackets, lying on the ground was sent to his brother by Rashid, another youth from the locality who was suspected to have joined the terror group by absolving his responsibility as administrator of a school (pro-Salafi Peace International School) at nearby Thrikkarippur town.
“Hafeesuddin had been in regular touch with his close family members and we often received calls in our land phones. However, the youth who remained cheerful all through his telephonic talks chose not to identify the location they were in,” Mr. Salam said.
The family members of other persons, including women and children, from both Padanna and nearby Thrikkarippur town used to get frequent calls and appeared to be safe, cool and contended in their new found location, he said adding that the family members were nurturing slim hope of their safe return.
