Dry Fruit Seller Dies After Self-Immolation in Qazigund Amid Family Detention Concerns
Qazigund, Nov 17, 2025, KNT: A dry fruit seller from Qazigund in south Kashmir who allegedly set himself on fire after reportedly being denied an opportunity to meet his detained son and brother died of burn injuries at a Srinagar hospital on Monday.
Bilal Ahmad Wani, a resident of Wanpora Qazigund, had sustained severe burn injuries after setting himself ablaze at his residence on Sunday and was shifted to a Srinagar hospital in critical condition.
Medical sources said Wani succumbed to his injuries on Monday despite treatment.
The incident triggered concern and debate in south Kashmir as details emerged regarding the detention and questioning of his family members in connection with an ongoing police investigation.
According to sources, Bilal lived near the residence of Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, one of the accused arrested during the investigation into what police described as a “white-collar” terror module.
Sources said Bilal had been summoned for questioning by police on Saturday and was allowed to return home later the same evening.
His son Jasbir Bilal and brother Nabeel Ahmad were also taken for questioning by police during the investigation.
While Bilal was subsequently released, his son reportedly remained in custody for further questioning.
The circumstances surrounding the self-immolation drew public attention, with family and local accounts suggesting that Bilal had been distressed over the detention of his relatives and was seeking permission to meet them.
The incident also triggered political reaction.
Peoples Democratic Party president and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti condemned the death and linked the incident to anxiety over the detention of Bilal’s family members.
In a post on X, Mehbooba said Bilal Wani had set himself on fire after his son and brother were detained and alleged that he had pleaded with authorities to allow him to see them.
She described him as an anguished father fearful about the safety of his detained relatives.
The case unfolded against the backdrop of an intensified investigation by Jammu and Kashmir Police into the alleged terror network.
Bilal’s neighbor, Dr. Adeel Ahmad Rather, had earlier been arrested from Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh on November 6 in connection with the probe.
Police had also launched a manhunt for Rather’s younger brother, Dr. Muzaffar Rather, who investigators described as an important figure in the case and who was reportedly believed to be outside the country.
No official police statement directly linking Bilal’s death to the questioning process was immediately available.
The death nevertheless intensified discussion around police detentions, family distress, and the human impact of prolonged investigations linked to militancy and security cases.
Further developments were awaited.
[KNT]
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