Afzal Guru's last letter

In a ten-line last letter written by Afzal Guru ahead of his hanging in Tihar, he has thanked Almighty "that he was chosen for this stature" and requested his family that "instead of grieving they should respect the stature he has achieved over his end".

Written in Urdu, the letter was written at "6.25 in the morning,

09-02-2013" and has no personal message to his family but revolves around a larger message of "truth and righteousness". This letter begins with Bismillah hi rehman ni raheem (I start with the name of Allah).

"Respected family and all the believers. Assalam u alikum (Peace be upon you). Hundred thousand gratitudes to Allah that Allah has chosen me for this stature. My Congratulations to all the believers too. For we all stood with truth and righteousness and our end must also come on the path of truth and righteousness. My request to my family is that instead of grieving over my end, they should respect the stature that I have acheived. Allah is your greatest protector and greatest help. Allah Hafiz (I leave you in the protection of Allah),'' the letter said.

Afzal's cousin Yasin Guru confirmed the veracity of the letter and said they received it on February 12, a day after it was dispatched from Tihar. Afzal's last letter also accompanies a covering letter written by hand by Superintendent of Central Jail no. 3 at Tihar and addressed to Afzal's wife Tabassum. "This is in continuation of our letter…. Dated 6-02-2013, I am enclosing the confidential letter written by late Shri Afzal Guru to you, kindly acknowledge receipt,'' the covering letter.

When asked as to what message does this letter carry, Yasin Guru said it is "for the people of Kashmir to infer its meaning".

While Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani is under house arrest in New Delhi, his deputy Mohamamd Ashraf Sehrai told the Indian Express that this letter "is a treasure for the life of the struggle''. He said Afzal's letter clearly exhibits "that he didn't feel regretful at the time of going to gallows but was thankful and satisfied". His message, Sehrai said, to Kashmir is "to remain steadfast on truth".

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