Major Iqbal in Dhurandhar 2: A Real-Life Connection to Terror Networks The upcoming film Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge, directed by Aditya Dhar, has sparked widespread interest, particularly around its character Major Iqbal, portrayed by Arjun Rampal. The role has drawn comparisons to a real-life militant figure, Ilyas Kashmiri, a leader linked to global terror networks. Kashmiri, who commanded the 313 Brigade of the Harkat ul Jihad al Islami, was known for his strategic mind and ruthless tactics, traits mirrored in the film’s portrayal of Major Iqbal as a mastermind orchestrating covert military operations. The character’s backstory is rooted in real events tied to Kashmiri’s actions. One of the most harrowing incidents referenced in the film occurred on February 27, 2000, in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir. During an attack on an Indian Army listening post, Kashmiri’s group targeted soldiers from the 17 Maratha Light Infantry. Sepoy Bhausaheb Maruti Talekar, a 24-year-old soldier, was brutally killed, his throat slit and head severed. Reports indicate the head was taken across the border as a trophy, later paraded by attackers who played football with it. Kashmiri was reportedly honored by then-Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf with a reward of Rs 1 lakh for this act, underscoring the grim reality of cross-border conflict. Kashmiri’s influence extended beyond regional operations. He was implicated in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks and other global terror plots, making him a high-value target. His death in a U.S. drone strike on June 3, 2011, in South Waziristan remains shrouded in mystery, as his body was never recovered or publicly displayed. These events have shaped Major Iqbal’s character as a symbol of extreme brutality, reflecting the harshness of the conflict depicted in the film.#aditya_dhar #ranveer_singh #major_iqbal #ilyas_kashmiri #jaskirat_singh_rangi
