On 4 August this year, as the bullet-riddled body of 22-year-old militant Yawar Nisar was brought to his home here, people jostled to have his last glimpse. His childhood friend and batch mate Khan Majid was seen crying and repeatedly kissing Yawar’s body. Yawar had joined militant ranks on 18 July after alleged “harassment” by police for participating in protests.He was the first one from the town to join militants after more than a decade. “Majid shouldered his coffin and bid adieu to his friend but his mutilated body left deep scars on his mind. Even though he resumed work in an NGO he used to remain upset,” said one of his friends. That was also evident from his Facebook posts. He would write about the time spent with Yawar and upload their pictures on the social networking site. After three months, this autumn, Majid, an ace footballer of the town, took up arms, leaving his friends, family members and relatives in shock. On Friday morning, his photo carrying an AK-47 went viral on social networking sites. Soon, news broke out that Majid, 22, a resident of Sadiqabad locality of the town and only son of his parents has joined Lashkar-e-Toiba. “He (Majid) was not a bookworm but he is very talented. He passed class 12 in commerce with distinction,” said one of his friends, wishing anonymity. He said he was a good athlete who always excelled in sports. “Majid was an ace footballer in the district. Though he could play any position he preferred goal keeping,” said another of his friend. This year, after a football match at the Sports Stadium Anantnag, he wrote on his Facebook page: “It's best being a striker. If you miss five and then score the winner you're a hero. The goalkeeper can play a blinder, then let one in and he's a villain.” He won several medals playing for local football and cricket club, Hayat sports. Majid, a student of B.Com second year, was also working with a humanitarian organisation as a volunteer and emergency head. “He was very enthusiastic about his humanitarian work and during his stint in the organisation, he recruited more than 200 volunteers from Anantnag town only,” said one of his colleagues. In a Facebook post before he joined militancy, Majid wrote: “Why look up at the stars when the biggest star is me.” "Though he was always at the forefront of the protests and was detained a few times too by the police, but we never found him inclined towards militancy," said one of his relatives. He said that the decision has left everyone in the family in shock. “His mother has not eaten anything since the day he went missing. She has been beseeching everyone to bring her only son back,” the relative said. The Facebook has been flooded with posts from his friends, some of whom prayed for his safety and others pleaded him to return. “By uploading his pictures what you are trying to prove. Did you see his mother whose tears haven’t stopped since morning,” wrote one user. “Did you saw his father who is helpless I can't bear the pain his family is going through (sic),” wrote one of his friends and teammate Irfan Nazir. Government agencies believe that militant organisations are trying to “lure” youth in the Anantnag town. “The movement of militants in the town in the recent past can be seen in the context of recruiting youth from the area in militant ranks,” a police official said. The government forces have been since last week carrying massive searches in the town.(GK)