The Fall of Ajmal

In the northeastern reaches of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan, nestled among scenic hills that serve as a gateway to the mountainous regions of the province, lies a quiet village. From this serene land emerged a boy named Ajmal, born into a devout and honorable family. His upbringing was rooted in strong religious and moral values, and his parents groomed him with utmost care and affection.

In his early years, Ajmal showed exceptional promise. At school, he was one of the most capable students — intelligent, well-mannered, and full of potential. However, everything began to change once he graduated and entered college. Ajmal fell into the wrong company — a group of unruly and directionless friends. He began leaving home under the pretense of attending college, only to waste his time wandering with these stray companions. Gradually, his attitude shifted. He grew distant from his family, resentful of his parents’ guidance, and frequently clashed with his brothers.

The once bright and respectful boy was now a source of tension within the household. One morning, when his father and elder brother had gone to work, Ajmal initiated a heated argument with his mother. Just then, his elder brother returned home and, upon witnessing the disrespect, struck Ajmal in a fit of rage. Such behavior was unheard of in their religious household, where reverence for parents was sacred. The incident shocked the entire family.

Furious and humiliated, Ajmal’s anger took a dark turn. In a moment of blind rage, he retrieved a pistol and shot his elder brother dead. Fleeing the scene, he went into hiding. A few days later, the police arrested Ajmal, and the court found him guilty of murder. He was sentenced and imprisoned in the central jail.

After spending some time behind bars, Ajmal's parents — under pressure and persuasion from relatives — eventually forgave him. Through their efforts, he was released. However, freedom did not lead Ajmal back to the right path. He once again rejoined his former companions and began drifting further into rebellion. It was during this time that he fell in love with a girl from a financially weaker family — a match his parents disapproved of due to the girl’s background.

Despite their reservations, Ajmal’s parents eventually gave in to avoid further conflict. Ajmal married the girl, and to support her impoverished household, he even allocated a portion of his land’s harvest to them. In search of better opportunities, Ajmal traveled to Dubai for work. After two years, he returned to Pakistan with just enough savings to cover the expenses of his formal wedding ceremony.

Tensions flared again when Ajmal's mother-in-law demanded a separate room for her daughter. With limited space and funds, Ajmal’s father offered his own room to the couple, but it was not enough to satisfy his in-laws. A bitter dispute followed, escalating into verbal abuse between the families. That night, Ajmal, accompanied by his criminal associates, launched a violent attack on his in-laws’ house. He opened fire, killing his mother-in-law on the spot and gravely injuring both his wife and brother-in-law.

Following the incident, Ajmal vanished. In the absence of evidence against them, his father and brothers — who had been initially detained — were released. Shunned by their community and haunted by shame, the family left their ancestral village and relocated to the city.

With no money and no place to hide, Ajmal resorted to crime. He became a robber, extortionist, and contract killer. His name instilled fear, and his brutality knew no bounds. One day, Ajmal and his gang assaulted and robbed an elderly man, subjecting him to humiliation. The victim’s sons retaliated with threats. Enraged, Ajmal launched a nighttime attack on their home. But this time, the old man’s sons were prepared. In the exchange of fire, several of Ajmal’s men were killed, and Ajmal narrowly escaped.

This incident marked a turning point. The police applauded the bravery of the old man's sons, while Ajmal, now weakened and isolated, fled the region. He took refuge in a remote village among other armed outlaws. Together, they plotted a robbery in a nearby settlement. However, the heist failed. The villagers caught Ajmal during the chaos. Enraged by his notorious crimes and driven by a collective sense of justice, they attacked him with axes, beating him to death so viciously that he became unrecognizable.

It was only through a distinctive burn on Ajmal’s foot — sustained during childhood — that his body was identified. Given the extent of his crimes and the shame he had brought upon his family and village, even his remains were rejected. He was buried nameless in an unfamiliar graveyard, far from home.

After his death, Ajmal's parents and brothers quietly returned to their native village. With the stain of disgrace slowly fading into memory, they resumed a quiet, modest life — a stark contrast to the storm that Ajmal had brought upon them.