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Kashmiri Teens Postpone Pellet Injury Surgeries To Study For Board Exams

"We have to pursue education today."
NDTV screenshot

The violent unrest in Kashmir may have subsided, but those hit by pellets will have to live with their injuries for longer if not for the rest of their lives. But two Kashmiri teenagers are not letting their pellet injuries get in the way of their future.

NDTV reported today that Suhaib Nazir, nearly blinded in his right eye by pellets, has postponed his second surgery so that he can appear in his Class 10 board exams. "Doctors advised me second surgery but I told them I will first sit in exams and then I will go for surgery... I didn't ask for any help. Despite difficulties I wrote my paper," the 16-year-old told the news channel.

Over 1000 Kashmiris were hit by the pellets during the four-month long unrest after the Indian army shot down Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on 8 July. Many will be either completely or partially blinded.

Another student, Athar Hussain, who has gone through three surgeries for his left eye, has postponed his fourth surgery in order to write his class 10 board exams. "We have to pursue education today. I had to appear in exams. It was difficult to write the paper but I did it," the teenager told NDTV.

Despite months of unrest, 95 percent of students in Jammu and Kashmir have appeared for their Class 12 board exams, and more than one lakh students have appeared in class 10th and 12th board exams.

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This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost India, which closed in 2020. Some features are no longer enabled. If you have questions or concerns about this article, please contact indiasupport@huffpost.com.