A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday in Qazigund Anantnag of Kashmir, when a local dry fruit vendor Bilal Ahmad Wani set himself on fire. He was initially admitted to Anantnag Hospital with severe burn injuries, but succumbed to his injuries on Monday. The incident coincided with the arrest of his son, Jasir Bilal Wani, also known as Danish, by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the November 10 Red Fort car blast case.

The family stated that Bilal Wani was mentally distressed due to the detention of his son and brother. Despite repeatedly requesting permission to meet them, their requests were not granted. In despair, he poured petrol in his courtyard and set himself on fire. He was first admitted to Anantnag Hospital but was later transferred to SMHS Hospital in Srinagar due to the severity of his injuries. According to doctors, 80-90 percent of his body had suffered severe burns.

Reacting to the incident, former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said that it reflected “high-handedness” and “disrespect” toward the family in custody, which pushed Wani into desperation and hopelessness.

Meanwhile, the NIA arrested Jasir Bilal Wani from Srinagar. According to the agency, he has been named as an “active co-conspirator” in the Red Fort car blast case. Jasir is accused of providing technical assistance in modifying drones and manufacturing rockets. The NIA stated that he was a close associate of the suicide attacker Dr. Umar un Nabi and played a crucial role in the preparation of the attack.

The investigative agency believes that Jasir’s network was not limited to Kashmir but extended to Haryana and Uttar Pradesh. The NIA is currently conducting raids across multiple states and interrogating suspects. The agency described this arrest as a key step in the in-depth investigation of the Red Fort blast and in exposing the wider network.

This case is not only about a terror attack but also a family tragedy. While a father took his life in despair over the detention of his children, his son was arrested in connection with an alleged terror plot. The incident raises sensitive questions in Kashmir’s socio-political landscape about the balance between security, investigation, and the need for a humane approach.