Because Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat's life is more authentic, riskier, and inspirational than the heroes portrayed in espionage films, it is completely different.
After receiving training in pakistan, he went on to become a highly regarded army officer and one of the most trusted undercover spies in the indian Army. Mushtaq, who is 56 years old, has a peaceful life in Pulwama, South Kashmir. He was both feared and admired when he was younger. He was referred to as Ishfaq, Romeo, and james Bond, among other aliases.
Mushtaq spent years working covertly for the indianarmy after changing sides. Throughout his 36-year firearms odyssey, he assisted in the killing of more than 300 terrorists. His life is a stirring tale of bravery and selflessness.
Who is Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat? Zawsoo, a little village in Pulwama, kashmir, is where Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat was born. In the late 1980s, when violence in the Valley was at its height, he joined militancy. Due to his family's support for the congress party, he was frequently singled out and shunned by local pro-Azadi organizations.
Mushtaq believed that the only option to defend himself and his family was to take up arms because there was no government protection and no security forces were present on the ground.
He moved to pakistan in 1989 and trained with warlords from Afghanistan. He even fought alongside the Taliban against Ahmad Shah Massoud's Northern Alliance in Afghanistan.
As a skilled militant, Mushtaq returned to kashmir by 1990 and joined the Jamaat-e-Islami-backed Hizbul Mujahideen.
However, he was extremely disillusioned by what he saw in Pakistan. "I realized pakistan was using the idea of Kashmir's freedom just for its own benefit," he stated.
He made a pivotal decision in 1994 when he started working covertly for the indianarmy, beginning a new chapter in his life as a clandestine agent.
Mushtaq's undercover mission for India Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat started working deep undercover in 1994 after clandestinely allying himself with the indian Army. He pretended to be one of the militants he lived with while surreptitiously providing indian security officials with important intelligence.
He is thought to have assisted more than 100 militants in becoming army informants because of how crucial his involvement was. His four successful crossings into pakistan to gather vital intelligence were among his greatest accomplishments. India had time to get ready after one of the missions provided early warnings of the Kargil infiltration in 1999.
Mushtaq claimed that after 1994, he never used force against indian forces. "My job was intelligence to save lives by giving the army the right information at the right time," he said.
He claims that his efforts have contributed to the deradicalization of more than 500 youths and the killing of over 300 terrorists. While some of those young people were offered a second opportunity by being recruited into the Territorial army, many of them were guided toward education.
Mushtaq's journey after his cover was blown The secret identity of Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat was revealed in 1999. However, the indianarmy supported him rather than abandoning him. He was formally assigned to the Territorial Army's 162nd Battalion. The President of india directly commissioned him as a junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) in recognition of his valor and service. Before retiring in 2021, he gradually rose to the rank of Captain.
Former militants who had abandoned violence created a unique group under Mushtaq's leadership. "James Bond Group" was the nickname given to this group in the Pulwama-Shopian area. They conducted numerous effective counterterrorism operations, contributing to regional peace.
Mushtaq decided to remain in india despite the continual threat to his life. "I was attacked twice, shot in both legs, my house was burned down two times, and my uncle was killed," he said.
His children had to transfer schools sixteen times due to threats. However, he ensured that they remained resilient. His sons now reside with him in kashmir, his daughter is a doctor, and his other son lives in Canada. Mushtaq has made the decision to remain, despite his son in canada urging him to relocate overseas for safety. "I'm not finished fighting. With quiet resolve, he declares, "I want to break the cycle of violence and guide the youth toward a better future."
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