KASHMIR UNDERGROUND

KASHMIR UNDERGROUND

SATI SAHNI

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To All The Mothers

On Either Side of The Divide Who Lost Their

Dear Ones In Senseless Violence In

Jammu & Kashmir

(The earth that has within its bosom the embers of Chinar It is not possible that it will ever cool down)

IQBAL .

\

Preface

Kashmir, in the recent past, has witnessed one of the most difficult-periods in its long and eventful history of over two millennia. It defies any classical definitions. It is neither rebellion nor revolt, neither militancy nor terrorism, neither protest nor alienation, neither insurgency nor insurrection, neither a rising nor an uprising. It is a combined mix of all' these and has few precedents.

This situation has been compounded on account of two important factors. New Delhi failed to size up the true import of the deteriorating situation and to take action in time. On the other hand, Pakistan took full advantage of the developing situation in Kashmir. It kept giving measured, doses of encouragement, propaganda and indoctrination, diplomatic and political underpinning, financial and material support, intervention "as required and interference at times. Religious affinity between people in Pakistan and the overwhelming majority of Kashmiris

, provided another dimension to the situation. i,-.' The magnitude and impact of this catastrophe does not seem to have been realised fully or appreciated enough. What contribution has it made to the change in India's equations with its neighbours and other foreign countries? How has it affected the entire sub-continent? Not much thought has" been given to the changes it brought about in the political chemistry of this country, its economic and financial policies? What has been its impact on India's moral and political standing in^the Third World?- •'•<:.":

The underground enthusiasm was at its peak during 1991-94 in Kashmir. Today, it may not be half as fearsome but still it .wields the gun which is feared by a common man. ' " \

To meet its challenge or to counter it, to compromise with it or to come to terms with it, one has to understand its motivations, its depth and intensity, its emotional content and psychological appeal. This book is an ;attempt in that direction. I believe that in a democratic set-up everyone has a right to hold a particular view though what means he adopts to achieve them, is debatable. In any case, gun culture is alien to democratic thought. Why does a person pick up a gun? Either, when he is pushed to the wall or when he feels that his case is weak. In either case, it is accelerated if there is someone to prod and push, hustle and hasten.

8 Kashmir Underground

I have always believed that the other point of view is vital to see any problem or event in its correct perspective. In spite of obvious difficulties 1 tried to get views of as large a number as possible, of those who are identified as anti-Indian. Their feelings and aspirations should be known, understood and appreciated to the extent possible; you may not agree with those. This would not necessarily mean condoning use of gun and their recourse to violence. For has not the great English philosopher of nineteenth century, John Stuart Mill said: "There is always hope when people are forced to listen to both sides".

This is an effort to present a picture of the underground movement in Kashmir. Without going into details, an attempt has been made to trace the beginnings of this movement, its linkages, its organisation, what fuels it, how its machine is kept going, its ideology and political philosophy, its acceptability and its support base, its impact and manifestations, the tears and blood that flowed, damage, destruction and death it produced, the irreparable damage it did to its glorious heritage and proud composite culture, its immeasurable wealth of religious tolerance, urbanity and hospitable nature. I have also tried to -fathom its impact and manifestations.

Material and information has come to me from various sources. It has come to me from some leaders of the underground, from some underground outfits, from different political elements, from printed and published material, from newspapers and journals, from telecasts and broadcasts, from numerous interviews and meetings, from books, periodicals and Reports of different national and international organisations, from friends and from strangers, from officials and non-officials. The material that became available was scanned and sifted, analysed, checked and cross-checked. Later it was painstakingly put together. I have been at it for over 9 years. Even then, I cannot claim that this is either complete or comprehensive account of what has been going on in Kashmir, in the recent past. This effort therefore, is a combination of reportage, search, research and documentation. One of my objectives was to document mateiial of this important period for future research scholars and historians to work on.

•The advantage I had was of being a close observer of the political scene in Kashmir for more than half a century. This has stood me in good stead and enabled me to see the present situation in the proper perspective. Many major players of this sordid game in past 10-12 years, have been known to me personally.

This book was undertaken, by me with equanimity and with a historical sense of objectivity. I had no turbulence inside me nor was I burdened with any disputed legacy.

Preface 9

For the present volume I have selected only a few elements. The other subjects will be dealt with in subsequent volumes. I have been able to gather material about over 700-dramatis personae and over 150 organisations and outfits. The lists are neither complete nor comprehensive. I wish to apologise if I have left out anyone who deserved to be noticed. The list of those who forayed out of Jammu & Kashmir, may have many more gaps. It is also possible that I may have inadvertently omitted taking note of some important "foreign guests" who came to Kashmir but failed to "accomplish".

I will be failing in my obligation as an author if I do not gratefully acknowledge my indebtedness to all such persons who have been instrumental in making the information available to me. For obvious reasons I am unable to name them. I also refrain to name those who confided to me even when holding important and sensitive posts since I don't want to compromise their positions. I also express my thanks to authors of books, Reports and poems, editors of newspapers and journals from which I have drawn heavily. My thanks are also due to those artists whose cartoons I have reproduced and also publishers of those publications. However, I wish to clarify that opinions expressed and deductions made are entirely my own.

i My very sincere thanks are due to my daughter Malti who designed the jacket of this book, to my children - Ajit, Navi, Mohit and Rachna -who helped me in different ways, especially Anu who painstakingly typed my manuscript, to a very dear friend S who regularly monitored the progress of my writing — and to my wife Prem who demonstrated tremendous faith in my capability to complete the book.

Postscript

Before the book could be sent lo print, Kargil events overtook us. ] therefore decided to add a Postscript on Kargil since this was a fallout ol happenings in Kashmir in past 10 years.

SATI SAHN1

CONTENTS

I SEEDS OF SECESSION 18

II TEAMS AND TURF 35

III PLAYERS AND CAPTAINS 236

IV UNLAWFUL ORGANISATIONS 396

V FOREIGN GUESTS 399

VI LARGER CANVAS 417

VII POSTSCRIPT: KARGIL 443

Annexures 471

Index 507

Map showing Jammu & Kashmir State and adjoining areas O Gotttrimflt of India, 1990

'—'•AFGHANISTAN < ttSfi Northern Areas ZZZ "A2ad Kashmir* &%Area ceded So China by Pakistan

PAKISTAN " " I * * -

Sketch Map of Jammu & Kashmir indicating areas under illegal occupation of Pakistan

• KUPWARA

• BARAMULLA

• SRINAGAR

. BADGAM

•POONCH I A N A N T N A G

• RAJOUR1

. • KISNTWAR 'DODA

• UDHAMPUR.

.JAMMU

' ^KATHUA

HIMACHAL PRADESH

PUNJAB

JAMMU & KASHMIR

SKETCH NO r TO SCALE

Sketch Map of South-Western part of Jammu & Kashmir showing some places mentioned in the book

A Poet's Reflection

O! Kashmir if you can't speak

"Speak oh! People of Kashmir Speak Advises the Pandit. If you can't! Shriek. Your speech bore no response,, no fruit Replies you got only through guns and loot

> You are tongue torn your wounds bleed Tyranny you got in reply to your prayer and deed. Your list-less eyes, your pensive brow Tell a tale of your misery and woe. Your injured feelings your silent sighs Your lowered eyebrows your horrified eyes. Your dishonoured, molested Rishis, Munis land In its selfrule got aatankwaadi brand. Your burnt shelters, your scattered stores Cost your lords their honour and crores. For you democracy lost its meaning and hue For whatever you say, only a shot is due Vou bear your heads for receiving nuclear heads Youi lovers will peacefully continue enjoy their beds. O! Kashmir thou art a thing of beauty And a thing of beauty is joy for ever. Keats cheats himself when he believes and says so Arif tell him to listen to a beloveds woes. Tyranny for you Offceaufy, Of disnonourecf fancf You are a charm for the one that has the upperhand.

MJRZA ARIF BEG (The Kashmir Times)

1

Seeds of Secession

Militants and terrorists misuse two commodities which are free of charge: fresh air and real freedom

• It is well-neigh impossible to pinpoint a date or even the year of beginning of militancy in Kashmir. But one thing is clear that it was neither 1989 nor 1987 as many believe. It could be 1984 or 1980,1975 or 1964,1953 or 1947, but it could be even earlier.

Use of violence and force to change order of things in Jammu & Kashmir certainly took birth the same day as Pakistan. There is no doubt that with carving out the new Dominion of Pakistan there was a sizable part of population of Jammu & Kashmir which desired to become part of Pakistan. Because of Pakistani aggression and the ultra-nationalist National Conference administration under the leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah, the elements that were pro-Pakistani either went over to Pakistan or went underground. The Chairman of Jammu &Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) Amanullah Khan in his autobiography has talked of underground pro-Pakistani groups in north-western part of Kashmir Valley, even in some educational institutions in 1948-49. Radical reforms of Kashmir Government and strict measures to safeguard our territory and the population on this side of Cease Fire Line also added to the ranks of anti-Indian elements.

Pakistan had been frustrated in its attempts first to force Kashmir to accede to Pakistan and when it failed to attain its objective, it then decided to continue its efforts in Kashmir to subvert peaceful life and support and assist anti-Indian elements. After a lot of effort'by such elements, on June 19,1953, the Kashmir Political Conference was set up in Srinagar.

On the political front. Sheikh Abdullah had developed differences of perception on numerous issues with Government of India and also personally with Jawahar Lai Nehru. Attempts..were rnndi? to accommodate the aspirations and demands of Sheikh Abdullah and the result was an accord which became"known as the Delhi Agreement. It

Seeds of Secession ' 19

was announced in July, 1952. A large number of people in Jammu region were opposed to this Agreement because they wanted the full merger of the State with the Indian Union. This resentment showed up in the form of an agitation spearheaded by Praja Parishad which was almost Jammu unit of Jan Sangh which operated in the rest of the country. This put up the back of the anti-Indian elements and created serious apprehensions in mind of National Conference leadership which widened the gulf between them on one hand and leadership in Delhi on the other. The dismissal of Sheikh Abdullah and his arrest in August, 1953, encouraged the underground elements who had for long been on the look out for an issue which could stir the Kashmiris emotionally and give their movement adherents in hundreds. The underground pro-Pakistani elements were able to exploit this upsurge in pro-Sheikh sentiment and • endeavored to identify the two opposing sentiments as having one and same objective - opposing New Delhi and working together to weaken its hold over Kashmir.

Then came along developments inside Pakistan which changed its thinking since it had come under strong Western influence. Directions were conveyed to the underground in Kashmir to channelise the resentment against India in directions which would first assist formation of an underground anti-Indian organisation and secondly, to create -• incidents and foment trouble for the J&K Government to impede its efforts at consolidation on administrative and political fronts. Thus was born the J&K Plebiscite Front on August 5, 1955. Former Revenue Minister Mirza Afzal Beg was made its President, and Sheikh Abdullah's son-in-law and later Chief Minister (1984-86) Ghulam Mohd. Shah was nominated the General Secretary. The Plebiscite Front did not accept Jammu & Kashmir's accession to India. Instead it demanded holding of plebiscite as per 1948 Resolution of UNCIP to decide the future of the State. During the hearings of Kashmir Conspiracy Case (1957-64) the Prosecution had alleged that members of this Front and others involved in subversive activities having links across the Cease Fire Line from where it received encouragement, support and assistance.

The underground showed its presence in Kashmir with a bang on , June 28,1957. An explosion took place at Srinagar in Lai Chowk in the Palladium Cinema building. The authorities failed to attach the importance this incident deserved.

The resignation as J&K Prime Minister of Bakshi Ghulam * Mohammed on October 4,1963 and in his place assumption of this high office by Kh. Shams-ud-Din, a well-meaning politician but a Weak leader of men, provided another opportunity to anti-Indian elements which they had been waiting for nearly two years. Taking advantage of a weak


administration more concerned to protect its flanks from assault by dissidents within the National Conference and political opponents, the underground got an opportunity when the Holy Relic disappeared from the Hazratbal Shrine on December 27,1963. Emotional upsurge of public was whipped up into anti-Indian feeling. Since Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed had for over a decade symbolised Indian presence, his family members and their properties- were made targets of their fury. Soon supporters of Sheikh Abdullah (who was in jail undergoing trial in Kashmir Conspiracy case) and his arch rival Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohd. Farooq and Plebiscite Front workers were out on the streets. For next 7 days till the Relic was placed back in the Shrine, efforts were stepped up to unhinge Kashmir from India. Fortunately, there was no violence.

The underground used this opportunity and played its role of creating doubts and disbelief in the minds of the people about the genuineness of the new found Relic. However, the standing and the stature of the Well-known moslem divine, Syed Mirak Shah and the senior political leader, Maulana Mohd. Syed Masoodi, frustrated these attempts and finally the Relic was authenticated and certified by a group of Moslem scholars and Imams. Notwithstanding this unhappy happening having been resolved satisfactorily, the anti-Indian elements had unnerved the Administration. Kh. Shams-ud-Din was replaced as Prime Minister, by Kh. Ghulam Mohd. Sadiq. Having been a left-leaning politician all along, he wanted to be liberal towards his opponents. Curbs on political opponents were relaxed. The Government also withdrew the Kashmir Conspiracy case. Sheikh Abdullah and his co-accused colleagues were released from custody on April 5,1964. Once again anti-Indian feelings received a boost and the underground became more active.

From early 1965, Pakistan had given enough indications that she was preparing for a duel with India. With Kashmir in its head, Pakistan used Raan of Kutch in Gujarat to divert Indian attention. In the meantime, its contacts in Kashmir had identified areas, places and installations which could be Pakistani targets. By the beginning of August 1965, Pakistan had recruited, trained and equipped thousands of "Razakars" in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). They were soon to be infiltrated into Kashmir Valley to fornient trouble, incite violence and sabotage to "prepare the ground for an uprising". This was Pakistan's "Operation Gibraltar". Pakistan set up a Mujahid Force of 1.5 lac "volunteers" who were given 2 weeks militancy training with special course on guerilla tactics, along with intensive religious and political indoctrination. Training camps were set up in PoK from where they were infiltrated into Kashmir Valley. Once across the Cease Fire Line, the infiltrators were to spread rumour and disaffection, political confusion and communal hatred. After' making contact with Pakistani agents in different locations, they were to

Seeds of Secession 21

instigate local population to rise in revolt. They were to indulge in sabotage and help in acts of subversion. They had been told that Pakistani agents in Kashmir had prepared the ground for their operations. They were further told that at the time they entered Srinagar, Pakistan Army would cross the Cease Fire Line "in your support". They were directed to "capture" the Radio Station at Srinagar and immediately announce formation of a new Government which would "appeal" to Pakistan for "assistance and armed help".

A number of Pak agents in Kashmir developed feet of clay and did not "perform their duty". Before the Mujahid infiltrators could converge on Srinagar their ingress was noticed on August 5, near Gulrnarg. Counter measures were taken and attempts at major sabotage and capture of vital installations, were frustrated. However,, they were able to register their presence at a few places. They managed to damage a few bridges and set fire to some residential localities. The Pakistanis blamed Kashmiris for not organising a big uprising, hope of which had been given by the anti-Indian upsurge following the disappearance of Hazratbal Relic. On the other hand, those Kashmiris who had committed themselves, blamed Pakistan for not mounting an attack on Kashmir. They felt "completely letdown". A prominent leader said the Kashmiris were cheated.

The Pakistani aggression in 1947-48 gave its organisers many useful lessons in waging low-cost war against India by using irregulars and warlike tribals. The General who organised and directed the Pakistani attack, Lt. Gen. Akbar Khan later recorded:. "On our side, we gained the knowledge that in certain physical conditions a small number of disciplined troops, properly combined with the Azads and the tribesmen could stop a much larger force provided we had some compact positions around which the tribesmen could operate offensively".

In 1965 Pakistan repeated same techniques with some modifications. Trained guerillas were infiltrated across the Cease Fire Line. By any standard it was a misadventure. Indian response and attitude of vast majority of Kashmiri moslems were contrary to Pakistani expectations.

In Pakistan at Peshawar in August 1965 gathered some anti-Indian Kashmiris who had recently arrived in Pakistan by crossing the Cease Fire Line. They decided to form an organisation to coordinate and direct activities of infiltrators into Kashmir, armed struggle against India and subversion here. The organisation was named Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF). In November 1965 it decided to send two groups secretly across the Cease Fire Line into Kashmir Valley. The political group was headed by Mohd. Maqbool Butt while the training group was led by Major Amnnulhih (not Khan). The two groups crossed


over to Kashmir1 in June 1966 and stayed for over two months. During this period they toured different parts of the Valley where they successfully established underground cells. While trying to return to POK, Maqbool Butt in an encounter with a Police party killed a Sub-Inspector. Soon after Maqbool was arrested. After trial he was awarded death sentence. He managed to escape from Central Jail, Srinagar in December, 1968.

In the meantime, in Pakistan it was decided by JKNLF to hijack an Indian plane to establish their presence and get "big publicity". A Kashmiri youngman Hashim Quereshi and his brother were motivated, then indoctrinated and finally trained for the hijacking. They were soon infiltrated into Kashmir Valley. They successfully hijacked an Indian Airlines Fokker friendship plane "Ganga" with 32 passengers on January 31,1971 on its Srinagar-Delhi flight. The plane was diverted and made to land at Lahore Airport, The passengers were later sent back to India. The plane was later blown up on the tarmac by hijackers instigated by Pakistani supporters.

In Kashmif Valley the pro-Pak elements had established an underground organisation known as "Al Fateh" group. This anti-Indian outfit was busted on January 13,1971 and many of its members were arrested. Later, some of them were released and absorbed in Government service. After interrogation of the arrested persons Pakistan Government's complicity and even direct involvement was established. On January 24, 1971 the Indian Government expelled for alleged "involvement in this subversive outfit" Zafar Iqbal Rathore, First Secretary of the Pakistan High Commission at New Delhi.

Then came the Pakistani attack on Jammu & Kashmir on December 3, 1971. Besides, formal attack by its Army and Air Force, Pakistan activated its agents in Kashmir for sabotage and subversion. But Pakistan's defeat in the war disheartened its protagonists in Kashmir. The fact of loss for ever of East Pakistan and over 90,000 Pakistani POWs being in India came as a blow to pro-Pak elements in Kashmir. The signing of the Simla Agreement in July, 1972 forced them to lie low for many months and to reorient their strategy.. In the meantime, the rethinking among the leaders of Plebiscite Front in Kashmir dashed their hopes. The gradual shift in the attitude of Sheikh Abdullah further unnerved them. The dialogue between his emissaries and New Delhi forced them to reconsider their stand and they sought guidance from .their Pakistani mentors. When this dialogue with New Delhi resulted in Indira-Sheikh Accord, the underground lost a big chunk of its adherents and supporters. There were some elements in the Plebiscite Front who were opposed to this Accord and they continued to lend support to the

• \


Pakistani lobby. An important Kashmir leader Soft Mohd. Akbar of Sopore, broke away. He soon formed Mahaz-I-Azadi (Front for Freedom) which questioned Kashmir's accession to India.

In 1972, tiie pro-Pak Jamait-I-Islami changed its strategy and decided to enter the electoral fray. They participated in the elections to J&K Legislative Assembly in February 1972. Its 5 elected members swore to uphold Indian and State Constitutions. Among them was Syed Ali Shah Geelani,r currently Chairman of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. When they took the oath of allegiance to Constitution, was it political expediency or hunger for power? Notwithstanding all this, Pakistan decided to sustain the Kashmir underground.

The Lok Sabha at New Delhi was informed on April 17,1974 that 96 Pak spies and operators had been arrested in Jammu & Kashmir in the past two years. In September 1974 the Kashmir Legislative Assembly was told that 104 pro-Pak persons had been apprehended in past 6 months for being involved in subversion and sabotage.

The Indira-Sheikh Accord was finalised on November 13, 1974. Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah became the Chief Minister on February 25,1975. This was a major setback to the secessionists. Next blow to the underground came on July 5,1975 when the J&K Plebiscite Front was dissolved-

In Pakistan there was political turmoil, coup against Prime Minister-/ \. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, his trial and his execution, coming into power of General Zia-ul-Haq. Because of these happenings little attention was paid by it to the underground in Kashmir. Another reason was tha t all 3 prominent leaders spearheading this movement from Pakistan were out of action. Amanullah Khan had gone to the United Kingdom. Hashim Quereshi was in jail for hijacking the Indian plane in 1971". Maqbool Butt was in jail in Kashmir. With a couple of colleagues he had crossed over into Kashmir Valley in May 1976. Because of his escape from Srinagar jail in 1968, Kashmir Police was on the lookout for him. Here, he got involved in a bank robbery and while making a get-away he killed the bank manager. Later he was arrested, then tried and sentenced to death. Because he had escaped earlier from Srinagar" Central Jail, he was sent to Delhi's high security Tihar Jail to await execution.

Concerned on account of increased spy activity, subversion and sabotage, the J&K Government after due consideration promulgated on November 6, 1977 the Public Safety Ordinance, to detain persons indulging in these and other anti-national activities, without trial and to put curbs on newspapers when required. Two days later the Chief Minister, Sheikh Mohd. Abdullah justified the PSO by saying that Pakistan infiltration had increased considerably raising the level of subversion.


Soon after the Islamic Revolution in Iran, its influence and impact on underground activity in Kashmir, was felt. The students wing-of the Jamait-I-Islami, the Jamait-e-Tulba had become active in 1979-80 when a firebrand youth worker Sheikh Tajamul-Hslam was made its Chief. In March 1980 he publicly described the Indian Army as "Army of Occupation". On August 5,1980 he told a Press Conference at Srinagar that Kashmiris did not consider themselves Indians and would soon "create conditions for an Islamic revolution like Iran and Kashmir will have Nizam-e-Mustafa".

Sheikh Abdullah, Chief Minister, on September 1, 1980, accused Jamait-I-islami of formenting civil strife and violence. He also alleged that the Jamait and it's front organisations were receiving large amounts of money from oil rich West Asian countries, for subversion and anti-national activities.

In the meant ime the unde rg round in Kashmir received encouragement from Pakistan which had already launched itself on process of Islamisation under Gen. Zia-ul-Haq. The United States and Pakistan supported war in Afghanistan against the Soviet Armed forces was a morale booster for the secessionists elements in Kashmir.

The death of Shiekh Abdullah - the Colossus who strode for more than half a century - on September 8,1982, was considered as removal of a major roadblock by the secessionists in their plans. With assistance from Pakistan these elements made new plans, devised new strategies aod decided up<m Released activity iu Kashmir.

First major manifestation showed up on the Independence day celebrations at the Bakshi Stadium at Srinagar on August 15,1983. There were three bomb explosions in the public stands but fortunately there was no death. Five days later Police arrested 4 activists belonging to JKLF. They included 2 brothers Iqbal and Altaf of Hashim Quereshi who in 1971 had hijacked the Indian Airlines plane to Lahore.

Then came the one-day international cricket match at Srinagar on October 13, 1983. This fixture was played between Indian XI led by Kapil Dev and the West Indies XI. Large size posters of Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan were displayed in the jampacked public stand of the Amar Singh Club Stadium. Anti-Indian slogans were raised frequently from different stands as if by plan. Indian players were hooted and abused. While fielding if any Indian player came close to the boundary line, rotten fruit, pebbles and paper balls were thrown at him. During lunch break some miscreants entered the playfield and attempted lo dig the pitch. And since the Match was being telecast live by Doordarshan, these scenes were seen by millions all over the country and in Pakistan.

Seeds 'of Secession 25

Following the killing of Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre at Birmingham in UK allegedly by JKLF activists, their leader Maqbool Butt who was lodged in Delhi's Tihar Jail following the death sentence awarded to him, was hanged on February 11, 1984. The secessionists and the underground in Kashmir vowed to avenge his death. Since then they observe this anniversary every year.

Three months later, in May 1984, in Srinagar a procession by youth and secessionist elements, was taken out in Srinagar ostensibly to protest against the communal riots in the Indian town of Bhiwandi which had taken place many days earlier. The processionists raising provocative pro-Pak slogans attacked number of vehicles belonging to the Army and BSF. Five jawans received injuries. Next month, in June, the secessionists took out in Srinagar a procession ostensibly to protest against the Blue Star action at Golden Temple at Amritsar. In this procession agitated Sikh youth brandishing naked swords and moslem youngmen took part together. The processionists turned violent and set fire to a couple of buildings and stoned some passing vehicles.

Farooq Abdullah was dismissed on July 2, 1984 and G.M. Shah Ministry installed. On August 1, 1984, there were anti-government protest meetings in different parts of Srinagar. Police resorted to firing to dispense them. Three persons died on account of the firing.

In 1983 and 1984 there were a series of explosions and bomb attacks in Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir Valley.

In February 1986 communal rioting started in Anantnag resulting in destruction of many Hindu temples in the District. This also resulted in substantial migration of Kashmiri Pandits from the District.

On March 7,1986 the G.M-Shah ministry was reduced to minority when Congress Legislature Party withdrew its support. The State came under Governor's Rule. The situation was already bristling with difficulties and the Governor, Mr Jagmohan by ordinance amended the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) in August 1986 to give Armed Forces power to deal with law and order situation. Two days later by another ordinanace he got amended the Constitution (Application to J&K) Order 1954 for creating a security belt to contain terrorism.

After the Jamait-I-Islami decided to contest elections in 1972 and in Pakistan the drive towards Islamisation had already started, many secessionist bodies came into being and they lent encouragement and support to the underground movement. Among them were Anjuman-I-Utel\ad-l-Musalmew, Jamatt-l-Tulba; Islamic Students League, Peoples League; Peoples Conference, Mahaz-I-Azadi; Islamic Study Circle. In March 7986 DrQazi Nissnr, Mirwniz of South Kashmir founded Umat-1-Islnmi.


In March 1987 elections were held for Legislative Assembly. All secessionist elements collected by Jamait-I-Islami leader Syed AH Shah Geelani, joined hands to jointly contest elections under the banner of Muslim United Front (MUF). Its election campaign was based on Islamisation of Kashmir and enforcement of Nizam-I-Mustafa (Quranic dispensation). Only 4 of its candidates got elected and in 3 other constituencies their candidates lost by narrow margins. In all MUF polled over 18% votes. Some of their candidates and large number of their supporters alleged large-scale rigging. Most of them decided to give up electoral struggle and instead take to violence and subversion. A good number of them managed to go across to Pakistan. After indoctrination there and training in use of arms and in subversion, they sneaked back to Kashmir to intensify "peoples' struggle".

In early eighties a nascent locally organised group was formed. Its members were openly anti-Indian. Ilbecame known as TULA Party. Its important members were: Ashfaq Majid Warn, Mohd. Yasin MaHk, Javed Ahmed Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Mohd. Iqbal Gandroo and Noor Mohd. Kalwal. Later some more activists joined them. .They included Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi, Mehmood Sagar, Nayeem Khan and Syed Urfan Shah. The enlarged organisation was renamed Islamic Students League (ISL).

Members of the ISL actively worked for the MUF candidates in 1987 Assembly elections. When most of the MUF candidates lost elections the ISL members felt frustrated and got embittered. They turned anti-Government and then anti-national. Later, they took part in the agitation to protest against increase in electricity tariff. The agitation did not yield desired result of whipping up peoples resentment.

The ISL group was egged on by Pakistan' to take up arms. They were faced by the twin problem of arms training and then procurement of arms and ammunition in substantial quantities. They seemed to have determination but no money. Through intermediaries Pakistan ISI authorities made contact with some of them. After the channels had been fully established a sizable group of youngmen in ones and twos went across the LOC. Most of this first major group later became leaders of various militant outfits in Kashmir. Among this group were: Ashfaq Majid Wani, Mohd. Yusuf Shah, Yasin Malik, Mustaq Ahmed Zargar, Hilal Ahmed Beg, Javed Ahmed Mir, Aijaz Ahmed Dnr, Maqbool Ilahi, Bilal Ahmed Sidiqi and Mohd. Abdullah Bangroo. After receiving training in handling of arms and in subversion techniques, the Group members returned to Srinagar in August-September 1988. They were reported to have made "substantial and dependable contacts" in Pakistan with ISI. They were also reported to have brought with them large amounts of Indian currency, printed subversive literature, arms.


ammunition and explosive material and wherewithall for blowing up bridges, buildings and vital installations.

Back in the Valley, they started a drive for recruitment of volunteers by motivating them on ideological grounds and communal basis. A new batch of volunteers was soon sent across to Pakistan for training. While they were crossing back into Kashmir, many of the group were apprehended on the LOG Their sustained interrogation yielded lot of important information and the Police started looking for the members of the first Group. Sensing unrest many went underground and some went out of Kashmir.

Within a few months, they regrouped. They then got in touch with "friends in Pakistan". In June 1989 a small group headed by Mushtaq Zargar and Urfan Shah went across again to Pakistan. There they strengthened their contacts, finalised new channels of communication, routes to be used for infiltration and exfiltration. They brought back with them additional supplies of arms and ammunition. It has now been established beyond doubt that "armed struggle" was started in Kashmir from Srinagar in July 1989. In the next few months many members of this group were arrested and detained in Srinagar's Central Jail. Two small batches are reported to have made two separate attempts to escape. Both attempts were frustrated by Jail authorities. However/ finally 12 hardcore well-trained senior militants managed to escape from the Jail on March 28,1990. The jail break was master-minded by Khurshid Chalku.

Mohd. Adullah Bangroo, who later became one of the founders of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, went across to Pakistan in 1987. There he was introduced to Afghan Mujahideen leadership.

He was put in touch with their leaders Gulbudin Hykmatyar and Dr. Masood. He was reported to be the first Kashmiri youngman to have joined the Afghan Mujahideen ranks and to have taken part in some raids and action in Afghanistan. In the meantime, more Kashmiri youngmen had gone across and there they joined the Mujahideen ranks and received training in arms and "baptism of fire". They were informed of happenings in Kashmir in middle of 1989 and they were sent back by Pakistan authorities. Members of this Group then masterminded the militant activities in Kashmir Valley.


Militancy Related Incidents in 1988 & 1989

Attacks & Explosions

Year

1988 1989

Year

1988 1989

Year

1988 1989

Total Incidents Attacks on Security Forces

390 2154

Total

31 92

Total Incidents

128 806

6 49

Killings

Expl Others

1 73

Security Govt. Politicians Judiciary Forces Officials

1 1 13 3 3

Destruction of Property

Govt. Educational Buildings Institutions

4 4 191 172

3

Private Houses

19 427

osions & Arson

142 840

Others

29 70

Bridges

1 16

In early days there was no coordination among different armed groups. One group on its own, made a symbolic beginning by an attack on the residence of DIG, Police, Kashmir Range, Mr Ali Mohd. Watali on September 18,1988 in Rajbagh, Srinagar. A Pakistani-trained militant Aijaz Ahmed Dar got killed when the police guards at Watali residence fired at the intruders.

Bangroo on return to Kashmir was able to motivate a large number of youngmen. They were sent in batches across the LOC for training in camps established in POK and Pakistan. Openly the bus conductors is Srinagar, Baramullah and Sopore used to invite passengers for Handwor, Kupwor te Apor — to Handwara, Kupwaro and Across. Authorities did not take notice of this public call for passage to Pakistan. The authorities not only of the State Government bu t also of the Centre failed to take notice and act. Was it a deliberate act or failure oi the intelligence agencies?


Bangroo was also the first militant in Kashmir to have fired a rocket which according to claims made by the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, destroyed POL worth Rs 44 lacs, when it struck the ArmySuppIy Dump at Khunmoh - a few miles out of Srinagar.

As has been related earlier, attacks and assaults at different locations and on selected persons had started by militants in Kashmir Valley many years ago but from middle of 1988 these? took a serious turn. They fell into a pattern which would create fear and send signal to people and authorities that "we have arrived" and to mentors in Pakistan of the "beginning of the War". Given below are some important incidents which took place in about 18 months before militancy engulfed Kashmir in winter of 1989-90: 1. July 31,1988 - trie Chinar Petrol Pump on the Maulana Azad Road/

Srinagar was attacked by an armed gang at night. It took away Rs 3000/- at gunpoint and escaped.

2. July 31, 1988. At night a bomb was thrown on the Srinagar Club building, opposite Doordarshan Kendra.

3. Same night a bomb was hurled on the Sentry Box outside the Central Telegraph Office on Maulana Azad Road, in Srinagar.

4. On August 31,1998 a big bomb exploded in a SRTC bus in General Bus Stand at Anantnag resulting in one death.

5. On the night of September 18,1998 an armed group attacked the Rajbagh residence at Srinagar, of Mr Ali Mohd. Watali, DIG Police of Kashmir Range. When the Security Guards opened fire one militant Aijaz Ahmed Dar was killed.

6. On September 19,1998 armed intruders at night entered RaniMandir in Magharmal Bag locality of Srinagar and opened indiscriminate firing on nearby residential qua"rters.

7. On September 22,1988 late at night, two armed militants riding a motorcycle fired on the sentry guard outside the Karan Nagar residence of Nilakanth Ganjoo, retired Session Judge, who had earlier tried and sentenced to death, Mohd. Maqbool Butt, one of the founders of JKLF.

8. On the evening of September 23,1988 some shots were fired on the backside of the Srinagar office of DIG Police, Kashmir and the Police Headquarters. The police claimed that the shots had been fired from a Kalashinikov rifle.

9. On September 24,1988 shots were fired from a moving motorcycle around midnight on the Sentry Box outside the Sri Pratap Museum, Lai Mandi at Srinagar.

10. On October 25, 1988 an attempt was made to blow up the Budshah Bridge in the busy commercial centre of Civil Lines in Srinagar. The Bridge was not damaged but a house nearby was badly damaged.


Courtesy - Paresh Indian Express of May 7,1990


11. A powerful blast took place on October 26,1988 on the rearside of Khanyar Police Station in downtown Srinagar.

12. Same night there was a loud explosion near a Tourist Video Coach parked on a road behind the Exhibition Ground in Srinagar.

13. A strong explosion also took place near the Guardroom of the Doordarshan Kendra at Srinagar.

14. October 27,1988 was the anniversary of the landing of Indian troops at Srinagar in 1947 to defend Kashmir against Pakistan attack. Call for a hartal on this day had been given by JKLF and the Peoples League. That day in Srinagar 5 explosions took place. One was in Lai Chowk - a very crowded shopping centre - where a parked Maruti Van was blown up. Many passersby were seriously injured. Among them were a lady Advocate Miss Dilshada and a Judicial Magistrate, Miss Sudesh Warikoo. Before these manifestations of the activities of the militants surfaced,

the State Police had pieced together a plan hatched by a group of youngmen from different parts of Kashmir Valley, for large-scale subversive activities, violence, killings and also to create lawlessness on large-scale. The Police had also registered a case under Enemy Ordinance Act and Unlawful Activities Act on basis of reports that a group of youngmen had developed contacts with Pakistan Intelligence officers, to organise underground outfits for extensive subversive activities. During investigations it came to light that a criminal conspiracy had been hatched in Pakistan with active participation of senior ISI officers, by important members of the JKLF in September 1986. From JKLF the' Chairman, Amanullah Khan, the General Secretary, Dr Farooq Haider, and Raja Muzaffar Khan took part in the meetings. There it was agreed that first to establish JKLF's credibility and capacity to undertake the task, it should get to Pakistan from Kashmir Valley a large group of motivated and committed youth who would be ready to indulge in subversive activities and to organise killings;;kidnappings, arson, violence and to create fear psychosis. The first'batclfwhichwas'sent from Kashmir under this arrangement, included-Az.am'Inqalabi (Srinagar); Mohd. Ahsan Dar (Pattan); Nazim-u5-Din (Keran)'Ghufam Nabi Bhat -Maqbool Bhat's younger brother (Trehg'am - Kupwara) and Muzaffar Shah (Bandipor). The second batch which soon fojlbwed the first one, consisted of Abdul Ahad Wazn: (Kupwara)?'r3ilal Ahmed Sidiqui (Srinagar); Ali Mohd. HandopCGpompur - Kupwara); Humayun (Srinagar); Shahzad (Kupwara); Maqbool Ilahi (Namdroo) and Sheikh Kamal (Srinagar). These groups made their trips to and fro across the LOC through Dumari Gali (Pass) in Rawanpora forest of Kupwara District. These members were put through intensive training in Pakistan. There they were made to take oath with their~hands on the Koran of


loyalty to JKLF and Pakistan. They "vowed to use all means to liberate Kashmir from the Indian yoke" and then to '.-request Pakistan to annex it". Then they returned to Kashmir Valley. They spread themselves out to different parts of the Valley from where they motivated hundreds of youngmen to cross over to Pakistan for training in use of arms and in acts of subversion. They indulged in various activities in 1998 as related earlier. This was to register their presence and to send signal to all concerned including those in Pakistan, that the armed struggle had started in Kashmir in right earnest.

• In 1989 the number of militants in Kashmir, went up with more and more returning from Pakistan after training and being equipped with weapons and ammunition. Their activiites here therefore registered sharp increase. In the first 8 months of 1989 there were:

Explosion 142

Police had to resort to firing to disperse 15 times anti-national elements Number of cross-firings 15 Strikes called by militants 48 days The number of killings by militants also went up. They selected

their victims, followed them closely and shot them dead. Among the important ones were: August 19 In Srinagar - Mohd. Yusuf Halwai - a middle-rung

functionary of the ruling National Conference. September 13 In Srinagar - Pt. Tikka Lai Taploo - a leading lawyer

and BJP Vice President of J&K State unit. November 4 In Srinagar - Pt. Nila Kanth Ganjoo, a retired Sessions

Judge December 1 In Srinagar - Saifullah, Inspector Police, Station

House Officer of Maisuma Police Station December 27 In Anantnag - Pt. Prem Nath Bhat - a lawyer and a

j^tP^b*iQ. writer The militan^^Jffl!& l%^n'e>ke id activities, were able to create a

sense of fearamfrng large' secfMJi^&f public. In November 1989 Parliamentary elections w.ere held raiall3 constituencies in Kashmir Valley alongwit$flft*rest of fhSfcquntry. The militants directed people to boycott electioriS?. Thosewhp^dared to participate were warned with serious consequenceS^^pfegar Constituency no person came forward to contest against the NatfcntM-GonTeferice candidate Mohd- Shaffi Bhat, Advocate, who was declared elected without contest. In Baramulla and Anantnag constituencies the National Conference put up its candidates but no other recognised party fielded any candidate. Only independents (13) in these two constituencies entered the contest. The National Conference winning candidates Prof. Saif-ud-Din So/. (Bnrnmulln) and


Piyare Lai Handoo (Anantnag) polled around 20% of total votes. In Pattan Assembly segment (of Baramulla Constituency) only 1 vote was polled. In Anantnag town only 47 votes were polled. h\ the main Square of this town, on the polling day the militants had placed a TV set opposite the Polling Station. A big placard had been fixed above it. In Urdu it said "Cast your vote and take away the TV set". There were no takers for the Television Set.

This is how terrorism and militancy crept- into Kashmir and took roots, over the years with both Srinagar and Delhi as passive witnesses. People will most likely forget this but history will never forgive them for their pusillanimity. One of the leading militants Azam Inqalabi in 1989 in an Urdu newspaper article published in Srinagar had disclosed:

"After Pakistan failed in 1965 war to get Kashmir, it set up a guerilla body under the name of Moslem Liberation Front. This was active for some time. The MLF wanted to start armed struggle. I personally got involved in making of crude bombs. India did not understand language of peace. So we went underground in 1974. That movement has now flowered for last one year as culture of Kalashikinov gun".

The biographer of Mr Jinnah, Stanley Wolpert who later wrote a book on Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, has also said that. Bhutto papers and documents were placed at Wolpert's disposal by Benazir Bhutto. Wolfpert arrived at the conclusion that Foreign Minister Bhutto's hand behind Pakistani infiltration into-Kashmir in 1965, is more than proved. His book also unmistakably produces enough evidence to prove that it was an unending process, which culminated in an open insurgency from 1990.

But it should not be forgotten that "However great the tide - it ebbs."

Men from the Valley

The deeds they did if unjust, Should they be pitied in disgust?

For harmed we may had been, Shot, killed, doomed, for oft time 1 ween

They did it why, none knows A candle lit for them, by their foes?

Downed like dogs in broad daylight, No one cried at the soulless sight?

Martyrs for some, for some traitors maybe Pushed across the line, for death, could be?

Hunger, malice, greed called by some; Carnage, valour, struggle, quoted by some.

The ideal, morale they served right, But failed miserably to reach the intended height.

No carol composed for their name; Sleeps quietly after playing the required game

Returns to the vile dust from whence they spring The heros in name, unhonoured and unsung.

_ SAMEER SAPRU it^'t '• (Tin Daily Excelsior-March 31,1996)

? ^ ; v f V : •.

• - ^ • , > ' '

2

Teams & Turf

For any kind of planned, sustained and coordinated action or operation, an organisational set-up is important. The importance of planning strategy, logistics, communication, provisioning, distribution of weapons and ammunition, direction and command structure cannot be denied. This only highlights the imperative of a lean organisation with tight discipline and control.

In case of underground movement in Kashmir, the decision to have an organisation, its strength, its goals and objectives, area of operation, weapons to be provided, funding and communication equipment and its coordination has been decided by authorities across the LOC.

The decision to have different organisations formed at specific time has been dictated by frequent changes in strategy of the IS1 in Pakistan. It helps to float new outfits, decides to merge two or more, change their objectives and appoint commanders at different levels.

To start with, there were one or two organisations. With eruption of armed militancy the number of organisations increased fast. At one stage, the co-ordination among them was rather poor and sometimes a few outfits seemed to be working at cross purposes. This also led to fall in discipline and entry into smaller outfits of undesirable elements lacking commitments creating their own problems. At one stage ISI seemed to have felt that some outfits were either becoming more popular than good from its point of view or were "straying away" from the main objective of securing Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. Foreign militants were inducted into some outfits. In some others foreign and fully trained militants were sent as commanders to take charge. In a few cases the percentage of foreign elements was more than others and these were outfits having headquarters in Pakistan. A stage came when only a handful of the outfits were active, fully backed by elements from across the LOC.

Because the militancy was inspired by fundamentalist Islamists, the nomenclature by and large was drawn from Islam's early history and Islamic heroes and warriors. The names had Arabic flavour instead of • Kashmiri, in most cases.


The command structure of the outfits was based on military pattern. There are 'Supreme Commanders' Chief Commanders;' 'Divisional Commanders;' 'District Commanders;' 'Area Commanders;' 'Battalion Commanders;' 'Launching Commanders and the like. We have, 'Generals' and 'Air Marshals'. Then we have 'Ameer-e-AlIa'; 'Ameer' etc.

. For co-ordination among the different secessionist organisations and militant outfits many efforts were made to have umbrella set-up both in Kashmir and in Pakisan. Nome of them seem to have lasted except All Parties Hurriyat Conference and the Shoora-e-Jehad.

We have identified 154 secessionist organisations, militant outfits and others. Their fortunes have been traced from their beginnings.

Teams & Turf 37

J a mmu & Kashmir Liberation Front

The Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) is the most important, most indigenous and most acceptable in Kashmir, out of all secessionist and underground organisations. Its peak period was reached in December 1989 when it successfully got released five of their detained colleagues, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Sher Khan, Javed Ahmed Zargar, Noor Mohammed Kalwal and Mohammed Altaf Butt in exchange for Dr. Rubaiya Sayeed taken hostage on December 8,1989 in Srinagar. This abduction brought it worldwide publicity focussing attention on Kashmir.

It made heroes of the released young men and it made JKLF the cynosure of all eyes in Kashmir. The JKLF became a household word in Kashmir and the big processions that followed their release showed beyond doubt that JKLF had caught the imagination of the people. Pakistan tried to ride piggyback in Kashmir appropriating to itself credit for JKLF's "achievements" and its popularity. There is little doubt that the base of JKLF operation was in Pakistan which was providing not only a safe haven and training but also providing it with arms, ammunition and funds. As soon as Pakistan found that JKLF had become very popular in Kashmir Valley, it decided to "own fully' the Jamait-e-Islami and to set up new organisations totally dependent on it. Thus were born Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and many others. This effort of theirs got a boost when on April 16,1990 Governor Jagmohan declared it an unlawful association and banned its activities alongwith a few other Kashmir based organisations. Pakistan then launched scores of new outfits tightly controlled and directed by it. Another reason for Pakistan's new strategy was that JKLF was always talking of Jammu & Kashmir as an independent entity, not tied down to Pakistan whereas its main objective in helping JKLF to grow and to provide it with wherewithal was to "use it to secure Kashmir's annexation through blood and tears of Kashmiris". The Pakistani support was being given to it in small doses and infrequently. Its President, Amanullah Khan was no longer a favourite of Pakistan but he had grown conscious of Pakistan Government's changed attitude towards him and the JKLF. Today he is in Pakistan and is one of the many "who are taking part in Kashmir struggle". It has lost its primacy across the LOC and in Kashmir its role in 1989-90 is almost forgotten. Its cadres has mostly disappeared though its President, Mohammed Yasin Malik claims that the organisation "will come live whenever need arises". The JKLF has spawned four factions now, headed by Yasin Malik and Dr. Masood Alam in Kashmir Valley, Ainnnullnh Khan in Pakistan and Hashim Quereshi in Netherlands.


Till 1988 the JKLF had no organisaional set-up in Kashmir Valley. It seemed to "have arrived" in Kashmir when on July 31,1988 there were two different explosions - one outside the Central Telegraph Office and the other on the outer wall of the Srinagar Club building. The JKLF has said that though they had made preparations for nearly Vh years, the "action" was premature. It was claimed later that Abdul Hamid Sheikh hurled these bombs. It was proposed to launch the struggle later with "strikes at different locations, simultaneously. In Kashmir in 1986, the Islamic Students League was formed by Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi, Ashfaq Majid Wani, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Javed Ahmed Mir and Mohammed Yasin Malik. Many others joined them soon.

In 1987 at the time of Legislative Assembly elections the ISL members helped the candidates of Muslim United FrontCMUF). Most of the MUF candidates lost the elections and the ISL members were feeling frustrated when JKLF offered them a new opening of "pursuing the game". Quite a few joined it and formed the nucleus of JKLF in Kashmir Valley. In 1988 by turn these activists went to Pakistan for indoctrination and training, meetings with Amanullah Khan, Dr. Farooq Haider and others as also the Pak authorities. While there they were able to get the attention of Pakistan President, General Zia-ul-Haq. The JKLF got his patronage and support in starting an armed struggle for "liberation of Kashmir".

Following this development the Pakistan Government was "liberal with assistance". However, General Zia's sudden death in August 1988 affected the fortunes of JKLF also. The new Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto and her advisors decided that JKLF alone would not serve this purpose in Kashmir because it claimed to be secular and stood for an independent Kashmir. Pakistan's ISI reduced its support to JKLF and at the same time floated a number of new outfits - more Islamist, more strident and more dependent. I would rather have Amanullah Khan speak about this. In a lengthy interview to Urdu Daily Jang of Lahore published in July 1991, Khan said he was disillusioned with Pakistan Government which first supported his organisation when it began terrorist activity in Kashmir in 1988 but "then raised other terrorist groups to counter physically and ideologically". According to him these organisations have created much confusion. "These groups are fundamentalist who present Kashmir as a boundary dispute between India and Pakistan and want Kashmir for Pakistan. Our JKLF is, on the other hand, secular and wants an independent Kashmir" he added.

Its members who had earlier gone to Pakistan for training and directions, returned to Kashmir in 1989 and the violence related activity increased considerably. Fortius purpose in May 1989 the JKLF set up 10 1 lit Squads to carry out assigned tasks. Those squads were :

Teams & Turf 39

1. Al Jehad under Javed Mir 2. Hamza Squad under Abdul Gaffar 3. Al Fatah Squad under Javed Ahmed 4. Al Maqbool Squad under Mushtaq Ahmed 5. Victory Commandoes under Ghulam Hassan Lone 6. Shaheed Zia Tigers under Mohammed Ashraf 7. Sadaijanbaaz Commando Force under Abdul Hamid 8. Musalmeen Commandos under Safed Rasul Aqdam 9. 'Azad Janbaaz Commandos under Ghulam Hassan Lone

10. Pak Commando Force under Rauf Islam The Home Minister informed the J&K Legislative Assembly that in

first 7 months of 1989,72 blasts took place in which 5 persons were killed and 52 injured. He further informed the House that during this period 157 persons were arrested out of which 80 had been trained in Pakistan and POK. Some of the more known activists were arrested in connection with some major incidents.

At the time of Parliamentary elections in November 1989, the JKLF was able to create in Kashmir an atmosphere of fear which resulted in very low polling - between 5 or 6 percentage. As the new Government was installed in Delhi in early December 1989, Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, a Kashmiri leader of Janta Dal, was made the Home Minister. His daughter Dr. Rubaiya Sayeed lived in Srinagar with her mother while working as a Doctor in Lalded Government Hospital. Some of the JKLF members led by Mohammed Yasin Malik planned to abduct her, hold her hostage and then demand release of five of its activists detained by the Government, in exchange for her safe return. The plan went off like good clockwork. Due to mediation of some government doctors, a local presspersort, a judge of a High Court and pressure from two Union Ministers, the State Government had no other choice except to agree to release off five detenues in exchange for her release. The activists wh J got released were: Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Sher Khan, Javed Ahmed Zargar, Noor Mohammed Kalwal and Mohammed Altaf Butt.

Processions were taken out in Srinagar in which the released persons were driven through crowded streets lined with joyous cheering crowds-The media attention in Kashmir and rest of the country established JKLF as a force to be reckoned with in Kashmir. They formed the vanguard of the secessionist movement which had already surfaced in Kashmir. For the next three months or so JKLF cadres commanded respect and affection, awe and fear. In their name many persons were killed. Big processions were organised. Number of confrontations with t\\e Government took place. Use of force, firing and spilling of blood seemed to add to the vigour and strength of the movement. Hatred of Governor lagmohnn was another bond between the public and militants lu: bv


JKLF. And Pakistan Prime Minister lent her support and prestige to this campaign.

Since autumn of 1989 the JKLF had stepped up its violent activities to overawe the Administration and to tell the public that JKLF was the master of the situation in Kashmir. They were involved in and allegedly responsible for:

1. A bomb hurled on a jeep in Budshah Chowk Srinagar on October 18,1989

2. Killing of Abdul Rashid Malik, Srinagar on December 16,1989 3. Killing of Ajay Kumar Kapoor, Srinagar on December 1,1989 4. Killing of Syedullah, SHO, Maisuna, Srinagar on December 1,

1989 5. Killing of Prem Nath Bhat, Advocate, Anantnag on December

27,1989 6. Bombing of Passport Office, Srinagar and Rural Development

Office on January 1,1990 7. Killing of 4IAF personnel in Srinagar on January 25,1990 8. Killing of 1 BSF jawan in Srinagar on February 2,1990 9. Killing of V.K. Razdan, IB Official, Srinagar on February 12.1990

10. Killing of Lasa Koul, Director, Doordarshan, Srinagar on February 13,1990

11. Shooting dead Ashok Kumar, Srinagar on February 23,1990 12. Throwing of a bomb on GPO, Srinagar on February 28,1990 13. Killing of P.N. Handoo, AD, Information, Srinagar on March 1,

1990 14. Killing of 1 CRPF jawan in Srinagar on March 3,1990 15. Killing of M. Sharief Dar, Srinagar on March 5,1990 16. Killing of Avtar Kishen Kama, Srinagar on March 20,1990 17. Killing of Praneet Sawhney, Srinagar on March 27,1990

Indications had become available of Pakistan's declining interest in and support to JKLF, it was therefore decided to reorganise the set-up in Kashmir to meet new situation created by propping up of rival outfits by Pakistan ISI. It was announced on April 5,1990 that: Mohd. Yasin Malik - be the new Chief Commander Abdul Hamid Sheikh - be the Deputy Chief Commander Javed Ahmed Mir - be Chief Publicity Officer Mohd. Iqbal Gandroo - be Military Advisor to guide guerilla war

in Kashmir "Air Marshall" Noor Khan - be the Chief Organiser Showkat Bakshi - be Chief Area Commander, Srinagar (in

place of Ashfaq Majid Wnni who was killod on March 3 0 , 1 W while throwing

i a grennili* on BSF parly)

Teams & Turf 41

Mohammed Rafiq ) Mohammed Irfan ) Noor Mohd. Kalwal ) 7 Area Commanders were appointed for Mohd. Gauhar ) different sectors of Srinagar City Bashir Ahmed ) Wajahat Quereshi ) Mohd. Saleem ) Spectacular action seemed to be high on their agenda. Four of its

members on April 6, 1990 kidnapped Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq and his Secretary, Abdul Ghani. While in custody they were moved from place to place disregarding all pleas for their release. On April 10,1990 they were shot dead and their bodies were thrown on a roadside in Srinagar city. Party Chairman Amanullah Khan was in New York. On April 9 he announced there that the two hostages had been shot dead, when they were still alive. It is conjectured that this was a signal to his cadres in Kashmir to kill the hostages though Amanullah denied it later. However, JKLF was criticised all over for killing a highly respected Arabic scholar Prof. Haq.

From its headquarters at Rawalpindi the JKLF issued a formal explanation and detailed sequence of events leading to their death. The Press Release is timed 10.00 am on April 26,1990. It disclosed that the plan to abduct Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq, Abdul Ghani and H.L. Khera was drawn up at a meeting held in POK capital Muzaffarabad, called by Brig. Imtiaz and ISI. JKLF was represented by Dr. Farooq Haider. The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen view aired by others prevailed and it was decided to execute the plan. The JKLF had agreed to go along in the case of Khera but was against the abduction of Piof. Haq and Abdul Ghani. Brig. Imtiaz threatened that if JKLF did not support the operation the "ISI and Cell no. 202 would stop all assistance to it". The JKLF then agreed to support the operation on the condition that "no harm would be caused to them" (abductees). The Press Note further disclosed that "JKLF was completely taken by surprise by the news of the hostages, which was completely in violation of the agreement reached during the discussion at the office of the Liberation Cell in Muzaffarabad. On making inquiries we were shocked to learn that Imtiaz had on his own, used the name of Mr. Amanullah Khan and conveyed instructions to freedom fighters through Prof. Ashraf Saraf and Shafi for the execution of the hostages. At the same time, he informed Mr. Amanullah Khan through a Pakistani diplomat in New York that the freedom fighters on their own, without consulting him and Prof. Ashraf Saraf and Shafi, executed the hostages".'

"We strongly condemn this duplicity and perfidious role of Imtiaz. We are surprised that Prof. Ashraf Saraf and Shafi should have allowed


themselves to be used in this manner by Imtiaz and the ISI for killing two innocent Moslems" the Press Note continued. "It has also been brought to our notice that before he crossed over to Azad Kashmir, Prof. Ashraf Saraf had some personal differences with the Vice Chancellor of the Kashmir University and that was why he suggested his name for the operation. By manipulating the freedom fighters in the Valley for having another brother Moslem, against whom he had personal enmity, killed, he has sullied the reputation of the freedom struggle and betrayed the freedom fighters".

"We call upon the freedom fighters to be aware of the mischievous role being played by the leaders of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on the instructions of the ISI and Cell no. 202. Our aim is an independent greater Kashmir consisting of the territories presently under the occupation of India, Pakistan arid China. Thousands of freedom fighters, who have already given their lives in their determined fight against the brutal Indian forces, have shed their blood for the achievement of this objective. Anyone who tries to betray this struggle by allowing himself to be used by the Pakistani intelligence authorities for promoting their own narrow purpose of bringing all Kashmiri territory under their control would be looked upon as a traitor by the Kashmiri people and would have to pay for his act of treason".

This by itself was indictment enough. However, based on the confession of an activist Showkat Bakshi in Srinagar alleging involvement Of Amanullah Khan in abductions and killings in Kashmir, the Indian Government moved the US Government for arrest and then extradition of Amanullah Khan. It took some days but Khan's visa was cancelled and Amanullah hurriedly left for the Netherlands, from where he returned to Pakistan on May 28,1990.

Before he left the US, Khan had organised a press meeting in the UN Headquarters on April 10, 1990. There he announced that the armed struggle launched by JKLF in Kashmir had the objective of "independent Kashmir reuniting areas currently held by India, Pakistan and China". He repudiated the Simla Agreement saying that since the people of Kashmir were not a party to it they were not bound by it. On April 20, 1990 he also addressed a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington. There he claimed that most of those among Congressmen and other public figures he had met in US were sympathetic to "the cause of Kashmiris as projected by JKLF". Two days later he claimed that JKLF struggle for independent Kashmir had received support of the Governments of Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia.

On May 21, 1990 in Srinagar, Kashmir's Minwaiz, Moulvi Mohd. Farooq was assassinated in his Nngeen house by "unidentified armed gunmen" and Inter there was firing on a procession of his followers killing

Teams & Turf 43

many. On behalf of JKLF, from Pakistan a week later, Amanullah Khan blamed the Indian Army of "plotting his murder with the help of Hindu fundamentalist organisation Shiv Sena". The same day - May 28lh, he stunned Pakistan by declaring that JKLF considers "Pakistan has no locus standi in Kashmir". According to him "Kashmir can never be a part of Pakistan for JKLF is committed to achieve independence for all territories of Jammu & Kashmir".

When Amanullah Khan on June 18, 1990 in POK capital Muzaffarabad, announced establishment of "Provisional Government of independent State of Jammu & Kashmir" he not only stunned Pakistan but created confusion in JKLF as well. A meeting of its Executive and Central Committees was held in Islamabad on July 2,1990 termed Khan's action as "unilateral, inopportune and unauthorised creating confusion in JKLF leadership". The meeting presided over by Party's Vice Chairman, Dr. Farooq Haider suspended Amanullah for "indefinite period" and annulled the announcement of foundation of the provisional government of "Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir". India called it ridiculous. A few months later Amanullah justified the establishment of the provisional government by saying that he forestalled establishment of a government-in-exile by some Kashmiri fugitives in Saudi Arabia.

The State Administration of Governor Jagmohan on April 16,1990 declared JKLF an unlawful body and banned all its activities.

The leading lights went underground. Hunt for them was stepped up by the Administration. On August 3, 1990 one of the Area Commanders, Mohammed Irf an was killed by the Security Forces. Three days later, on August 6, its important functionaries were in a meeting in a "safe house" in Barzala locality of Srinagar. The Security Forces were able to arrest from there Mohammed Yasin Malik - its Chief Commander, Abdul Hamid Sheikh - Deputy Chief Commander, and Kaka Hussain, Chief of Operations, of Jammu region.

From Karachi, JKLF Chairman Amanullah Khan on October 28,1990 issued a Statement which was called "An Urgent Appeal to World Conscience", and copies of it were sent to United Nationa; NAM; Arab League; Organisaton of Islamic Conference; Organisation of African Unity' Amnesty International; International Commission on Human Rights; International Red Cross Society; World Moslem Congress; Rabita-al-Alam-al-Islami; SAARC; Heads of diplomatic missions in Islamabad (Pakistan) and Opposition Leaders in India.

Through the Appeal, the JKLF called upon "all those Governments and International Organisations which believe in the right oi self-determination of nations to prevail upon Indian Government to immediately stop this inhuman physical and mental torture to Kashmiri patriots and to concede to Kashmiris their inherent, inalienable, pledged

•44 Kashmir Underground

and internationally recognised right of self-determination. I may also remind the governments of the world that they are morally bound, as signatories to UNCA resolutions no. 1514 and 2621, to support people struggling against forced foreign occupation".

The statement demanded that "arrested freedom fighters should be treated as Prisoners of War and should not be subjected to any kind of physical or mental torture".

The JKLF had been feeling low with the upper crust of its leadership either killed or arrested. On the other hand, Pakistan authorities had tightened the screw. So when Islami Jhamoori Ithehaad (Islamic Democratic Unity) Government headed by Mian Nawaz Shareef took office in Pakistan in November 1990 the JKLF sought greater help and assistance from the new Government. Its Acting Chief Commander Javed Ahmed Mir sent a telegram to Mian Nawaz Shareef hoping that the new Pakistani Government will improve upon the efforts put in by previous Pakistani regimes and come out with solid results regarding the Kashmir issue. The telegram further implored Pakistan "in this period of out continuing crises we hope that we will not be let down by our brothers". It further said that "people of Kashmir are waiting for the hand of cooperation from the people of Pakistan and the freedom loving world in general".

The Government of India offered dialogue with anyone in Kashmir within the framework of the Indian Constitution. The JKLF reacted sharply and rejected the offer outright. Its Publicity Incharge Dr. Ghulam Qadir Wani, a post-graduate scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University, on December 24, 1990 turned down the offer and reaffirmed JKLF commitment to continue to struggle for an "independent and sovereign state of Jammu & Kashmir". He said now "1990 has given rebirth to Kashmir issue which was lying in cold storage for decades. The people of Kashmir have become conscious oftheir rights, which were deprived to them for so long and now they are ready to make any sacrifice for this cause" he stated.

For the first half of 1991 the JKLF abstained from all kinds of terrorist activity as claimed by Amanullah Khan. Regarding the abduction of Nahida Soz in February 1991, he said that was the handiwork of its youth wing, Students Liberation Front. He disapproved activities of the students wing by declaring it so on July 28,1991. He felt that students wing Chief, Hilal Ahmed Beigh, was working under instructions of "somebody in Pakistan where he had spent 3 months recently". In fact Beigh had announced conversion of SLF to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen, a few weeks earlier. Amanullah Khan alleged that 8 of IKLF senior activists-had been killed by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on the "behest of their Pakistani mentors". He called Hizb-ul-Mujnhideen a protege of Pakistan.

Teams & Turf 45

In the meantime its Deputy Chief, Noor Mohammed Kalwal was arrested in Srinagar on October 8,1991. Two months later his place was taken up by Zain-ul-Abdin on December 13,1991. The same day, the outfit Mahaaz-I-Azaadi was made the political wing of JKLF.

It was felt necessary to make a few changes in the organisation to face the changing situation. Yasin Malik, who was in jail and in poor health, was made the President and Abdul Hamid Sheikh was named the Vice President (because of Malik being in jail, he virtually was Acting President) on April 14,1992. In September 1992, a senior activist Mohd. Maqbool Malik was killed by Security Forces under their "Operation Tiger".

The State Police presented two challans in a Jammu Court on October 7, 1992 against Amanullah Khan and others for inciting and giving training to Kashmiri youngmen for indulging in killing and subversive activities in Kashmir. Others arraigned with Khan were Mohd. Yasin Malik, Farooq Ahmed Dar alias Bitra Karate, and Wajahat Bashir Quereshi.

In November 1992, Javed Ahmed Mir claimed that JKLF has over 15,000 armed activists in Kashmir Valley. He said they had only one objective: National independence. Our "fight for freedom cannot be on religious grounds. No Pakistan - no India. We want freedom"'hestated very clearly.

JKLF Vice President Abdul Hamid Sheikh had been very active and was trying to make party units active and purposeful. Frequently he used to move from place to place. The Security Forces were on his trail for many months. On November 19,1992 they caught up with him. In downtown Srinagar he was having a meeting with some oi his confidantes. The Security Forces received correct report about it and quickly surrounded the house. Sheikh managed to leave the house, got into a boat waiting to cross over to the other bank of Jehlum. He had some aides with him. As they were rowing across the river the Security Forces opened fire. He was hurt badly and so were 8 others. He fell into the river in injured condition. His dead body was recovered 3 days later on November 21, 1992. Because of his popularity, there were demonstrations and curfew was imposed by the Administration, in many areas. To fill the void the Chief Commander, Javed Mir, was made the Party President and Rafiq Dar was named as the new Chief Commander on December 15,1992.

The JKLF stands for a united Jammu & Kashmir, independent both of Pakistan and India. In this context it does not recognise the Line of Control separating the two parts of Jammu & Kashmir. It was also fortified in this view by a judgement of the High Court of POK in 1969 that "it is no crime to go from one part of Kashmir to the other". Two


Kashmiri youngmen Maqbool Butt and Altaf Khan (later known as Azam Inqualabi) had crossed the LOC from Kashmir Valley and were arrested in POK and later detained in Muzaffarabad. After some time a writ petition was filed in the local High Court which later ordered that they be set free because movement between two parts of a state was not a crime.

The Front's two factions in Pakistan headed by Amanullah Khan and Dr. Farooq Haider, decided to unitedly cross the LOC on February 11,1992 - the death anniversary of the Party founder Maqbool Butt. The objective was to create a situation where blood is spilt due to firing, Kashmir issue gets internationalised and embarrassment is created both for Pakistan and India. Indian authorities were determined not to allow any crossing from the other side. Orders were given to Indian Army to foil any such attempt along the 780 kms long LOC. The POK Administration under Sardar Abdul Qayoom, was opposed to the crossing. The Pakistan Government was put in a fix. They did not want to take the responsibility of allowing violation of LOC because of its commitment to Simla Agreement and yet, it did not suit it to be seen as opposing an act which appeared to be a link in the chain of the struggle for freedom of Kashmiris. The JKLF wanted to wrest leadership from the Islamic militants. The sober Pakistani newspapers like "The Nation" asked the Federal Government not to allow the crossing of the LOC by the JKLF because "it will be counter productive".

On February 11,1992 Amanullah Khan with a large contingent of supporters marched along the last stretch of Muzaffarabad-Uri Road, towards the LOC. Short of the Pak border post of Chinari the authorities asked them to disperse and withdraw. On their refusal Amanullah Khan and 790 other marchers were arrested and later released many miles away. In the firing by Pakistani forces to disperse the marchers, 12 persons were reported killed and 149 injured, according to Pakistan press. The previous evening the US Administration had called on Pakistan and India to avoid confrontation and "reduce the level of tension along their borders in Kashmir".

Amanullah Klian was bitter about the volte face of POK Prime Minister, Sardar Abdul Qayoom Klian. On February 14, 1992 he told BBC that Qayoom had encouraged him to stage the march hoping that it "will be n flop". Qayoom had promised JKLF that no hindrance will be put to make the march a success.

The JKLF called for a total strike in POK on February 16, 1992 to protest against the killing of marchers on February 11,1992. The local administration had to resort to firing in the air and use tear gas to disperse pre >tes tors in mnnv POK towns. JKLF spokesman Raja Muzaffar declared in POK that another all^mpt will be made to cross the LOC' on March 3D,

Teams & Turf 47

1992, the death anniversary of Ashfaq Majid Want a co-founder of the organisation. As a run up to it a large number of party workers were arrested in POK. Amanullah Khan also was arrested. Also arrested were five workers who had recently crossed over form Kashmir Valley. The Pakistan authorities pressurised Khan to call off the march but he refused to oblige them. In Srinagar, the JKLF Acting Chief, Ja ved Ahmed Mir, on March 27,1992 severely criticised authorities in Pakistan and POK for use of force against the pro-independence political activists. He announced in Hazratbal Shrine that JKLF may be "forced to launch an agitation in both parts of Kashmir to achieve our objective". He called for immediate release of Amanullah Khan. In Islamabad, Pakistan, Raja Muzaffar who became Acting Chief after Amanullah's arrest, announced that the "march will take place under all circumstances". Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan however said the "march will create misunderstanding among Kashmiris and also create more problems for Pakistan". The slogan of "independent Kashmir is against the interests of Kashmiris" he stated. On March 30,1992 Pakistan deployed a large number of its security forces at all possible points of crossing the LOG This, coupled with largescale arrests of about 500 workers in POK frustrated the proposed march. In Srinagar JKLF plans to send marchers from this side to cross the LOC, was abandoned with Javed Mir announcing on the morning of the march, "We have decided to defer the peace march".

AnotherattemptwasmadeonOctober24,1992 when marchers tried to cross the LOC at three different points but the Pak authorities opened fire to prevent them from doing so. Two marchers were killed and a score were injured. Amanulah and many of his supporters were arrested but let off later.

JKLF President Amanullah Khan on January 26,1993 demanded that Kashmir be placed under UN for ten years and then a plebiscite be held. At that time three options may be given to people of Jammu & Kashmir. These would be: to stay with India, become part of Pakistan or be allowed independence from both. Two weeks later he declared that Simla Agreement was not binding on Kashmir. He said "no self-respecting Kashmiri can accept the nonsense called the Simla Agreement. It is an insult to the Kashmiris. Il does not even mention the right of self-determination for the Kashmiris".

About this time the rivalry between the JKLF and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had taken a sharper edge. The differences in ideology and strategy to continue struggle against the Indian authority had "weakened the movement" according to ISI. Pakistan was worried and made efforts to bring them closer and iron out differences. The ISI arranged meetings between representatives of the two organisations in April 1993. The two groups agreed "to respect and honour each other's ideology and

48 Kashmir Underground'

refrain from criticising each other". They were of the view that "right of self-determination could not be made conditional or restricted". It was further agreed that "if people voted for accession to Pakistan the JKLF will accept the verdict and if their vote was for independence, the Hizb-uI-Mujahideen will bow before it". This agreement was signed by senior leaders of the two groups. The Hizb was represented by Prof. Ashraf Saraf, Shams-ulHaq and Abdul Majid Dar while the JKLF representatives were Raja Muzaffar Khan, Dr. Farooq Haider and Dr. Haider Hijazi. It was agreed that this Agreement needed to be ratified by leaders of the two groups in Kashmir and then sincerely implement its provisions.

Although muted criticism of Pakistan had been heard off and on but open and blunt words were used by JKLF only in August 1993. Sardar Kader Khan, Central Chief Organiser on August 6, at Gujranwala (Punjab) expressed his resentment. "We made Pakistan our advocate to plead our cause in the international arena but instead, Pakistan exploited our helplessness by constructing bans around us". Giving his Party's views, he said "JKLF is of the view that Pakistan has failed to liberate Kashmir and now Kashmiris have taken up the task of liberating our homeland".

In Kashmir, the tussle between JKLF and HUM created ideological divide between protagonists of Kashmiriyat and Pakistaniyat. For JKLF "Azaadi" seemed to have been pushed back by Pakistan. This created more apprehensions in the minds of the JKLF cadres.

The Security Forces in the Valley had sustained their pressure on militants. JKLF Area Commander, Jan Mohammed and Regimental Commander Farooq Ahmed Butt and three others were killed in Budgam District on September 17,1993.

JKLF showed its human face when it donated money and blood for the sufferers of the earthquake in Latur in Maharashtra in October 1993. It's President from jail, Mohammed Yasin Malik, decided to donate Rs 1 lac. 100 units of blood would be given by JKLF Blood Bank named after its slain leader Abdul Hamid Sheikh. 'The Bank draft for full amount was sent to the Red Cross Committee Jammu. Malik in a statement said that the donation was a token contribution to the relief effort for the quake victims on behalf of the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Hashim Quereshi, a co-founder of JKLF, now living in the Netherlands, had been critical of JKLF and Amanullah Khan for quite some time. On October 18,1993 he was disowned by JKLF by describing him as an Indian agent and a protege of Dr. Farooq Abdullah. He came to Muzaffarabad in September 1993.

The tension nround the Hazratbal Shrine had been building for some months. There were reports that some armed militants hod entered the Shrine and intended to stay put. On October I?, 19^3 the Security Forces

Teams & Turf

cordoned off the Shrine and no one was allowed to go in thereafter. Three important members of JKLF, Mohammed Idrees, -its Military Advisor and Intelligence Chief, Basharat Raza - Divisional Commander and Shabir Siddiqui - its Publicity Incharge, were held up inside. Idrees became one of the two principal negotiators on behalf of the holed up militants. After 32 days they surrendered and came out of the Shrine complex. The Hizb criticised JKLF for this "abject surrender".

Party's District Military Advisor for Budgam, Yawar Khan, was killed in an encounter on December 7,1993. An Area Commander, Mohammed Yusuf Khan alias "Chatterjee" was killed in an encounter in Kathi Darwaza area of Srinagar on February 4,1994. A commander who had gone to Gujarat on an errand, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah was arrested by Gujarat Police from a hideout in Surat District on February 13,1994. In Srinagar its Publicity Chief Shabir Siddiqui was arrested on March 12,

1994. He was released on May 25, 1995. In May 1994 its Area Commander, Mukhtar Ahmed, was killed by Hizb activists in a group clash when he had -gone for peace talks with Farooq Ahmed Wani, a Hizb Commander.

Idrees Khan was gunned down on February 10,1995 near Hazratbal allegedly by Hizb activists. JKLF offered Rs 50,000/- for the killers, dead or alive.

The Supreme Revolutionary Command Council on May 3,1995 met and considered new situation with Government forces mounting increasing pressure. Reorganisation was decided to meet the new situation. The present Secretary General, Bashir Ahmed Bhat was made Vice President. The current Vice President, Mohammed Zaman Mir was made Principal Secretary. Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi was made new Secretary General. Ghulam Abbas Beg and Altaf Qadri were reappointed ac Chief Organiser and Chief Spokesman, respectively. Altaf Qadri, Mohammed Shafi Misgar and Hamid Nasir would constitute the Press Cell. Yasin Malik, President announced unilateral ceasefire with Security Forces.

Differences had developed between Amanullah Khan and a few of his colleagues in Pakistan on one hand, and' Yasin Malik and others in Kashmir on the other. Misunderstandings had assumed proportions which were difficult to bridge. Matters came to a head in September 1995. First salvo was fired by Amanullah Khan on September 21,1995, who expelled Yasin Malik, Kashmir based President of the Party, from the organisation. In his place Khan appointed Javed Mir as President but Mir decided to throw his lot with Malik. The next day in Kashmir •this faction removed Amanullah Khan from Chairmanship of the Party and Rafiq Dar was made Chief Commander.


This led to a vertical split all the way. Even in London, the President and the General Secretary of the UK wing of the JKLF, Mohammed Younus and Shabir Chaudhury respectively, denounced Amanulah Khan and instead accepted Malik as head of the Party. In a statement in London they said "Mr. Amanullah Khan has been indulging in opportunist, undemocratic and dictatorial style of functioning. He has been making financial gains in the name of Kashmir and compromising the position of JKLF at the behest of his masters". The statement supported the decision of the Party Central Committee to appoint Yasin Malik as Chairman. In retaliation the Amanullah faction appointed Shabir Siddiqui as President. "General" Basharat Raza was named Chief Commander and Salman Yavar "Nikka Bhai" as Deputy Chief Commander . Mohammed Azim and Riyaz Ahmed Lone were

' nominated as Advisors. This faction had its stronghold just outside the Shrine at Hazratbal.

On June 28, 1995 the TADA designated Court at Jammu granted interim bail for 2 months to 4 leading members of the party who had been in detention for varying periods. Mohammed Rafi alias Nannaji, Wajahat Bashir Quereshi, Mehraj-ud-Din Sheikh and Ali Mohd. Mir were re-arrested as soon as they stepped out of Central Jail in Jammu. Mohd. Rafi Nannaji was released in July 1995. However, he was taken into custody on August 12,1995 by BSF for interrogation. He was released the same evening.

The militant outfits generally had turned very "intolerant" to any kind of criticism and threatened newspapers which dared to criticise or point out even their weaknesses. TheJKLF in a statement on August 8, 1995 asked all outfits to "show restraint and accept healthy criticism for it would decrease the criminalisation of the movement".

After the split in the JKLF, the Sidiqui faction accused Malik faction of having" given up armed struggle in return for money from the Government by ordering unilateral ceasefire a few months ago. This charge was refuted by the Chief Commander Rafiq Dar saying that

• cessation of hostilities was to give a chance to the Government to seek a negotiated settlement of the problem. "But the ceasefire has not succeeded" he added.

The JKLF reacted sharply to offer to have dialogue with Indian leaders, made by 4 militant leaders led by Babar Badr Rafiq Dar, Chief Commander of Malik faction on February 9,1996 said "the four (persons)

• , have no right to take such a step as they were expelled by their V parties". The Chief of Amanullah faction, Shabir Ahmed Sidiqui,

'*.' said "only solution to the Kashmir problem was the right of self-i'i"^''determination or that of tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and ;-? ' people of Kashmir".

Teams & Turf 51

A week later Yasin Malik and Javed Mir also opposed any bilateral talks with Delhi.

The faction led by Shabir Ahmed Sidiqui in February 1996 claimed to have conducted a "referandum" in Kashmir on what people favoured. On February 17, 1996 Sidiqui announced that over 95% people had wanted tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and representatives of people of Jammu & Kashmir. He said neither Tashkent nor Simla Agreements had yielded any results because people of Jammu & Kashmir were not a party to them. On February 26,1996, Chief Commander of Sidiqui faction Basharat Raza called upon people to strengthen militant activities for "it alone can deliver the goods".

The Yasin faction seemed to be concentrating on the political aspect of the movement. It was content with supporting the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. The gun-toting cadres gradually shifted their loyalties to the Siddiqui group.

In the meantime, Shabir Sidiqui faction had consolidated itself around Hazratbal area. At a press conference on March 18,1996 Sidiqui severely criticised the Hurriyat leadership for its "failure to represent the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir". He alleged that Hurriyat Conference was riven with serious differences. He also denounced the Yasin Malik faction saying that they had nothing to do with JKLF, recognised by its Chairman, Amanullah Khan and supported

*• by all 83 branches all over the globe. Just 6 days later on March 24,1996 many members of Sidiqui faction,

with arms, forced their entry into the Hazratbal Shrine. The J&K Armed Police contingent on duty resisted and an encounter took place. One Sub-Inspector and 9 militants died. These included its Chief Commander Basharat Raza, his deputy Salman Yawar 'Nikku Bhai', Srinagar District Commander Dilawar, and the District Commanders of Baramulla and Budgam Districts. "Colonel" Tipu and "Colonel" Waseem, respectively. Also included were Zakir Hussain, Abdul Rashid Shah, Sajjad Ahmed and Mohammed Akram.

The stand-off lasted three days during which negotiations took place. On March 27,1996 seventeen militants, including Sidiqui, came out and with their arms were allowed to return to their office nearby. Dr.. Alam Masood was made the new Acting Chief Commander. He assumed the code name of Masood-I-Alam. Next day reportedly there was firing from its office and the State Police personnel on duty outside returned fire. In this exchange of firing, the building caught fire because of the ammunition stored inside and all inmates seemed to have perished in the conflagration.

The lending lights of Sidiqui faction perished in an encounter in March 1996. JKLF's Pakistan-based Chief Amanullah Khan nominated


new office-bearers on April 24,1996. N.A.G. Khawja was to take Sidiqui's place as Chief in Kashmir. Mohd. Muzamil Mir and S.S. Shaheen were made Vice Presidents. Rasheed-ul-Hassan was nominated to be the Secretary General.

The Indian Government on March 28,1996 once again declared JKLF as an unlawful organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. Later, on August 20, 1996 the Special Tribunal set up for the review of the ban, confirmed the ban. The Tribunal noted that the JKLF "has been active in militant activities, disturbing peace in Jammu & Kashmir".

Earlier, it had been notified as an unlawful association on February 17, 1994 and two years earlier on February 18, 1992 by the Indian Government. Originally, JKLF was declared unlawful by the J&K Government under Criminal Law Amendment Act 1983 on April 16, 1990, when the State was under the Governor's Rule. The JKLF was granted an opportunity to represent its case against the Notification, before a Special Tribunal. The JKLF refused to accept its jurisdiction but in 1991 Yasin Malik on its behalf, from Agra Central Jail, did submit a statement to it refuting various allegations and accusations. Later, an interesting situation developed. The Government at Delhi failed to issue a new Notification when the old one expired. The Government seemed to have overlooked the implications. On January 12, 1992 the State Governor G.C. Saxena told Press "as of now JKLF is a lawful organisation". Next day, the Indian Home Minister, Mr. S.B. Chavan confirmed this and said "it is technically so because the Special Tribunal which periodically reviews the status of banned outfits had run out of its time to decide the JKLF case".

The Union Home Ministry by notification on February 18, 1992 declared JKLF an unlawful association for 2 years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967. The ban was extended in 1994 and again in 1996. For the next two years the JKLF by and large kept itself away from violence but it continued to question the accession to India and reiterated the demand for right of self-determination. The Government of India even in early 1998 decided to continue the ban and a new Notifications was issued on February 17,1998 to last for 2 years. On April 7, 1998 the Special Tribunal issued notice to JKLF to show-,cause why this order should not be confirmed. The JKLF contested the grounds for banning and asked the original Instrument of Accession to be produced. The Tribunal after hearing Counsels for JKLF and the Government, confirmed the ban on August 14,1998.

In July 1988 the Chairman of Friends of Kashmir in UK, Lord Eric Avebury told the [Kl ,F that armed struggle in Kashmir has not brought the Kashmiris any nearer to their goal. I le advised them to try their luck

Teams &Turf 53

in the political field. He asked them to opt for dialogue and'participation in elections. There was hardly any worthwhile response.

The leadership of the organisation felt that it had grown weak because of factional divisions. For many months efforts were made in Kashmir, in POK, Pakistan and in Britain to unify different factions. Some success was achieved without association of Amanullah faction. On August 25,1998, it was announced that various factions of JKLF and the JK National Liberation Front had decided to merge with JKLF headed by Yasin Malik. Besides other two important leaders based in Rawalpinid (Pakistan). Dr. Farooq Haider and Raja Muzaffar Khan threw their lot with Yasin faction. JKLF decided to have a 42-member Supreme Council with 7 members each representing Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Ladakh, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit & Baltistan and Kashmiri Mohajirs (migrants) in Pakistan and overseas. There would be a Central Committee consisting of 34 members. A 6-member Constitution Committee was also set up to improve the "management affairs" of the party. In this there will be three trom Jammu & Kashmir, two from "Azad" Kashmir and one representing the Kashmiri migrants outside. A Zonal Committee for "Azad" Kashmir, Gilgit, Baltistan and Pakistan was also formed and Dr. Farooq Haider was made its President. Other office-bearers of this Zonal Committee were also named. These were two Vice Presidents, one General Secretary, one Deputy Secretary, one AssistantSecretary, Chief Organiser, Deputy Chief Organiser, Secretary Finance, Secretary Publicity and Secretary Planning. Raja Mu2affar Khan was made Special Representative to handle important issues.

The office of Urdu daily "Af aq" in Srinagar was ransacked by armed intruders on October 6, 1998. Next day the JKLF (AK) owned the responsibility. In a statement, its Chief Commander of Operations, Khalid Zubair said JKLF wanted the Kashmir Press to be free, He said "Our war is against the slavery of press".

When the Indo-Pak foreign secretary level talks were announced to be held at New Delhi from November 5 to 13, 1998, the JKLF reacted strongly. A statement issued at New York on October 22,1998 by Raja Muzaffar Khan, Incharge of Foreign Affairs in JKLF, called these parleys a "diplomatic fraud", since these were being held without any representative of Kashmiri people. Because Kashmir is the central issue in Indo-Pak talks and its solution without taking into account the interests, desires and wishes of Kashmiris was a political deception. Before the statement was issued an emergent meeting was called by Haleem Khan, JKLF President for North America. This was attended by Raja Muzaffar Khan, Inayat Mir. Er. Qasim Khokhar, Haji Shafi, Raja Nawaz, Mehmood Bhatti, among others. Haleem Khan told the meeting "Kashmir is not a


territorial dispute. We cannot allow Delhi and Islamabad to decide our future".

The JKLF also demanded that Gilgit and Baltistan be made part of Jammu & K a s h m i r a n d people inhabiting those areas be given constitutional rights like others. A big public meeting was organised at Gilgit by it on November 2, 1998 to observe the 51-"' anniversary of "establishment of Republic of Gilgit on November 1,1947". The meeting was called jointly by JKLF and Mutahida Quami Party (MQP) of Gilgit. JKLF Chairman Mr. Amanullah Khan, who was the Chief Guest, told the gathering that the areas of Gilgit & Baltistan which were a constitutional and integral part of Jammu & Kashmir State "could not and should not be kept deprived of the basic political, civil and constitutional rights of a civilised society and separate from Jammu & Kashmir".

He asked why "there has been no representation (of people) in any legislative or constitutional assembly and were being ruled by Pakistan bureaucracy in a colonial way treating the area as their colonial territory". He demanded that "people of Gilgit & Baltistan be given political and constitutional rights of a modern society with due constitutional arrangement with Azad Kashmir, pending final settlement of Kashmir issue", 3

The JKLF called upon US President Bill Clinton and the Pakistani Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharief ''to take concrete steps for resolution of Kashmir issue peacefully and permanently". In identical letters to the two leaders sent on December 1, 1998, Mr. Amanullah, JKLF Chairman described the Kashmir issue as the "most dangerous threat to peace in South Asia and India's refusal to accept Kashmir's right to opt for complete independence of Kashmir had further complicated the issue". The letters stressed that "bilateral talks between India and Pakistan to solve Kashmir problem is a waste of time".

Displeased with the independent line adopted by JKLF, Pakistan had been slowly but surely sidelining this organisation, first in favour of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and later for Lashkar-I-Toiba which was Pakistan-based and totally under Pakistani control and direction. Credible reports were received in the first week of January 1999 that 4 important training camps of JKLF were taken over and handed over to LET. The Camps were Gojran, Athmuqam, Chaklala and Palandri. Right from their inception these Camps had been under JKLF operational command. In these Camps were trained some female militants belonging to Dukhtaran-

_ 1-MjUat. The Camp at Palandri was set up in 1987 ai\d ii\ these years trained nearly 11,000 militants. According to reliable reports, nearly 300 young men and women were undergoing rigorous training in guerilla warfare and subversion, in these 4 Camps.

-' -!. ' Teams & Turf , 55

The objectives of JKLF all these years have not changed. As stated earlier Yasin Malik (from Agra Jail) had submitted a statement in 1991 to the Special Tribunal while refuting charges against the JKLF. This statement very clearly set down the objectives of the organisation :

"It believes in 'Liberation'. It represents those people who believe that Kashmir State should be 'liberated' from its occupational forces. It does not stand only fcr 'liberation',, but also believes in re-unification of the two territories of the State of Jammu & Kashmir. Its abbreviation JKLF stands for "Jammu, Kashmir, Ladakh, Frontier". The political objective of the Party, is to strive for complete and total independence of Kashmir. According to it, its territories comprise an area which constituted 'Kashmir State' as on August 16,1947. It believes in preserving 'Kashmir nationalism', 'culture' and all those factors which constitute bonds of commonality between the people." "Kashmir State being disputed, its solution must be found and the solution must come from the people oi the State. No solution can be imposed on the people of Kashmir without ascertaining their wishes. We cannot allow the Kashmir dispute to continue." "The Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front demands that plebiscite be held in Jammu & Kashmir as promised by Government of India. The Front intends to bring to an end, the status quo."

Today the JKLF is well-known in this sub-continent and in the United Kingdom. It claims to have branches or offices in 87 locations in different countries all over the world. It is surprising that it originated in Pakistan, not in Kashmir. It will be interesting to trace its roots.

In late fifties and the sixties many Kashmiri youngmen in POK and in Pakistan were influenced by the armed struggle for freedom by Algerian youth. They seemed to have been convinced that the only way to make Kashmir free and independent is to resort to armed struggle. The Plebiscite Front organisation existed in POK, on the same lines as in Kashmir Valley. The POK Plebiscite Front Executive Committee Meeting was held in Mirpur on July 12,1965, proposal to take up arms was moved but was rejected by an overwhelming majority. About that time Pakistan Government had planned largescale infiltration for subversive activities by trained Mujahideen across the Ceasefire Line. It is learnt that even anti-Indian elements on Pakistani side of the Ceasefire Line were not taken into confidence lest it leaked out to India and they might abort the whole effort. The anti-Indian elements among the Kashmiris in Pakistan held a meeting in Peshawar on August 12-13,1965, when the decision was finally taken to form a National Liberation Front for Tammu & Kashmir (IKNLF) with avowed object of seeking for the people of Jammu


& Kashmir, the sole right to decide the future of the State. This was to be achieved through work on various fronts including armed struggle.

It was decided further to copy the Algerian FLN pattern for organisational purposes. Four Central wings were set up :

a) Armed Wing -headed by Major Amanullah (of Azad Kashmir Regular Forces)

b) Political Wing - headed by Amanullah Khan c) Finance Wing - headed by Mir Abdul Qayoom d) Coordination Wing - headed by Maqbool Butt The four heads of the Central Wings formed the Central Committee,

of NLF. It was further decided that whosoever became a member of this underground organisation, would take oath to lay down his life for the NLF objective and as token, had to sign the membership form with his own blood. These four founder members signed the oath with their own blood at a secret ceremony. They also drew up and owned a new 'tarana' - the party anthem:

' "Ek Haal, Ek umang

Guerilla Jang, Guerilla Jang Azadi ka ek'hi dhang Guerilla Jang, Guerilla Jang".

This freely translated would be: One condition, one desire Guerilla warfare. Guerilla warfare Only path to freedom, Guerilla warfare, Gueritfa warfare

These four members toured different parts of West Pakistan and POK in October and November 1965 to enroll members. In November 1965 a meeting of the Central Committee was held in Karachi, when among other things it was decided that two groups of dedicated activists be sent across the Ceasefire Line to Kashmir Valley. One group was to enroll secretly members including Kashmir Government employees. The other group was to select handpicked local persons and then to train them in subversive activities including use of explosive material and use of firearms arid tactics of guerilla warfare. The political group was to be headed by Maqbool Butt while the training group was to be headed by Major Amanullah (not Khan).

Due to certain reasons these two groups were not able to cross the Ceasefire Line over to Kashmir Valley till the beginning of June 1966. In the meantime, many employees of the POK Administration and the Pakistan Government had secretly become members of the Nl .F. Among them, it is now known, were Mir I lidaynt Ullah, Defence Secretary of POK ClovernnuMit and an SDM Ghulam Din Ashai.

Teams & Turf 57

The two groups, with the help of Ayub Khan of Hyhama (Kupwara) as guide, crossed the Ceasefire Line on June 10, 1966 The NLF team consisted of Maqbool Butt, Major Amanullah, Subedar Kala Khan, Subedar Habibullah Butt and Aurangzeb. Major Amanullah and Subedar Habibullah Butt, staying close to the Ceasefire Line in Kupwara District in thickly wooded areas, imparted arms training to select groups of Kashmiri youth Maqbool Butt and associates travelled all over Kashmir Valley for over two months and established underground cells in important towns While returning from Srinagar to the appointed place in Kupwara District to cross over to POK, Maqbool Butt and party was involved in an encounter with a Police Party. An Inspector, Amar Chand was killed Kashmir Police launched a massive search operation and soon was able to zero itself on a house in a village near Sopore where it was suspected that the fugitive group was holed up. In the exchange of fire one militant was killed while the second one was seriously wounded. Finding escape from the house not possible, Maqbool Butt and his associate surrendered Smce this was the first major case of this nature, the State Police took a Press Party from Srinagar to witness the encounter and surrender. This writer was an eyewitness as member of the Press Party Least did anyone realise that this could become a major turning point in Kashmir's recent history.

When Major Amanullah learnt about the encounter, his group and he escaped to POK. In Kashmir, later Maqbool Butt was charged with the murder of Inspector Amar Chand and for waging war against the State

On account of this mishap and for other reasons the POK Plebiscite Front did not approve of the armed struggle "at this stage". It asked the NLF to disband itself.

In August 1968, a Kashmir Court sentenced Maqbool Butt and Mir Ahmed to death for the murder of Inspector Amar Chand Subedar Kale Khan, the third associate, was awarded life imprisonment All three were lodged in the Central Jail, Srinagar. In December 1968, Maqbool Butt, Mir Ahmed and Chaudhury Yasin, who had been arrested 3 years earlier, made a darmg escape and later managed to cross over to POK There they were arrested for allegedly being Indian agents but were released 3 months later when their credentials had been fully established.

In the meantime in Kashmir, the police was able to arrest quite a few ot those who had become members of NLF

Various elements in POK and m Pakistan had been feeling that something spectacular needed to be done so that their cause receives publicity In early 1970 the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) had used hi] at king ot planes to get international pubhcitv The Nl F nlso started thinking ot undertaking similar "adventures" but amid not


identify any person intelligent, bold and committed to stake his life. Towards the end of 1969 a young Kashmiri Hashim Quereshi was visiting Peshawar in connection with his sister's marriage. There in Peshawar he met Maqbool Butt who found him the right man for the hijacking of a plane. During his stay in Pakistan, Quereshi was fully indoctrinated with NLF ideology and was given some rudimentary training in plane hijacking. He was told to return to Kashmir and while waiting for the right opportunity to enroll youngmen for NLF underground units in the Valley. On January 31, 1971, Hashim Quereshi and Ashraf Quereshi hijacked the Indian Aiihnes Fokkei Friendship plane "Ganga" to Lahore while it was on a regular Srinagar-Delhi flight. After it landed at Lahore Airport and the passengers had disembarked, the Pakistan authorities provided them with wherewithall to blow up the plane in a blaze of publicity. The Quereshis were feted as super heroes. But later they were arrested on suspicion of being Indian agents. They were arrested and later put on trial alongwith some important members of NLF. Hashim was sentenced to 13 years rigorous imprisonment. However, on account of his appeal to Lahore High Court he was released after spending 7 years in jail.

In May 1976, Maqbool Butt (inspite of warnings from his colleagues) and two associates once again crossed over to Kashmir jValley. He dared knowingly that he would be spotted and arrested. In Kashmir he got involved in a bank robbery in Kupwara. The Bank Manager was killed and Butt was arrested. He was tried in Srinagar and the Sessions Judge, Mr. Nilakanth Ganjoo, sentenced him to death. Since he had earlier

' escaped from high security Central Jail in Srinagar, the Government decided to lodge him in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

In the meantime Amanullah Khan had also gone to Great Britain. With all the three leaders of NLF - Amanullah Kahn, Maqbool Butt and

i Hashim Quereshi out of circulation, the NFL activity came to a grinding halt.

1 Because of displacement of large numbers from the region of Mirpur in POK, on account of the construction of Mangla Dam to impound waters

' of river Jehlem, most of them migrated to UK in the seventies. Nearly , 1.5 lacs from POK were settled in UK and to cater to their needs a few i political organisations had come up. Among them were : Kashmir 1 Independence Movement and Kashmir Moslem Conference.

In 1973 two more organisations, United Liberation Front and Kashmir Plebiscite Front, were set up. The expatriate Kashmiris had felt there that UK could be made into a strong base for Kashmir's freedom struggle and would also secure international support for it. Notwithstanding its name -Kashmir Plebiscite Front, it was notable to catch the imagination of expatriate Kashmiris. It was felt that the name should lie catchy and

Teams & Turf 59

have a revolutionary connotation. In any case, the J&K Plebiscite Front had been disbanded in Kashmir because of Sheikh Abdullah's accord with Mrs. Indira Gandhi.

At a convention of Kashmir Plebiscite Front in UK on May 12,1977 the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front was born. Plebiscite Front members and those of NLF joined it. In February 1978 Amanullah. Khan was made its General Secretary. Its branches were set up in. Pakistan and POK, and in UK. Later branches were set up in Denmark, Holland, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Germany, France and in USA in October 1979. It held its annual conventions in UK in Birmingham in 1978, again in Birmingham in 1981, in Luton in 1982. In 1983 a subsidiary body under the name of Kashmir Liberation Army was set up.

The JKLF in 1984 abducted an Indian diplomat. The Assistant High Commissioner posted at Birmingham, Ravindra Mhatre was abducted on February 3,1984. The JKLF demanded that Maqbool Butt be released from New Delhi jail in exchange for his life. Before the negotiations were successfully concluded, some hotheads in JKLF killed Mhatre on February 4,1984. Maqbool Butt, who had been awaiting execution on murder charge, was hanged in Tihar Jail in Delhi on February 11,1984. In UK, Amanullah Khan and Hashim Quereshi were arrested after Mhatre's abduction but were released soon. The UK Police arrested 6 members of the JKLF after Mhatre's assassination. Two out of them got life imprisonment, third got 20 years rigorous imprisonment while the other 3 got lesser punishments.

In 1979 JKLF office had been opened in New York. Four party activists managed to get admission into visitors gallery while the UN General Assembly was in session on October 13,1979. They managed to shout a few anti-Indian slogans, throw some leaflets, before they were taken out by the Security Staff.

From 1986 to about 1991 the JKLF enjoyed the total support of the Pakistan Government and its agencies. When it was realised that it was likely not to allow itself to be manipulated completely from Islamabad, Pakistan created other outfits in Kashmir and has given support and assistance in restricted volumes so that they are always dependent on it and show no sign of their own independent thinking and action. Pakistan decided to control and direct the insurgency from there.

In the first few months of 1997, the JKLF seemed to be involved in refashioning of its strategy. In Kashmir Mohammed Yasin Malik and Javed Ahmed Mir were laying full force on human rights violations in Kashmir. While Mir was arrested and detained for a few days in Srinagar for public protest and obstructing traffic, Malik went to Delhi and undertook an indefinite fast till human rights organisations agreed to investigate allegations of human rights denial in Kashmir. He gave up


his fast when two Human Rights organisations assured that a team would be sent to Kashmir. Within a week, in the end of May a six-member team visited Kashmir,, toured various areas and met the aggrieved persons.

The JKLF founder General Secretary Ghulam Qadir Wani (43) asked Kashmiris not to fall in the trap and make Kashmir another Afghanistan. He told the Press on March 14,1997 that the gun was alien to Kashmir but their movement was hijacked and the "gun isbeing utilised for self-interest and for narrow political gains or suppressing the political opponents". He said, "Pakistan rulers distrust Kashmiris" and in support he cited the fact that for the past 48 years neither the President or Prime Minister of POK has been allowed to visit the Northern Areas of Gilgit and Baltistan.

From London Mr Shabir Choudhury (Head of Diplomatic Section of JKLF (Yasin Malik Group)) in April 1997 said that Pakistan and India both fashion their Kashmir policy based on their territorial interests. Both want to get Kashmir with very little regard to the interests of the Kashmiri people. He said rigid stand of India, Pakistani and Kashmiri people will not solve the problem. "India, Pakistan and the Kashmiris have to give some concessions to each other in order to get the ball of negotiation rolling" he added. ^ f 9 l-L

After new Labour Government assumed power in Great Britain in May 1997, the JKLF appealed (9/5) to the Prime Minister Anthony Blair to persuade both India and Pakistan to find a lasting and equitable solution of the Kashmir conflict". Zafar Khan on behalf of JKLF in London said that "the vision and freshness which Mr. Blair has brought into the British politics has given hope not only to large expatriate Kashmiri settlers in Britain, but also to people in Kashmir. We hope and pray that the new British Government under Mr. Blair's enlightened and dynamic leadership will see the Kashmir conflict as one of its priorities in foreign policy and unlike the previous government, will bring in a more pro-active, principles and moral approach to the issue". Continuing, he asked Britain to play "an active and dynamic roles for a just and durable solution of Kashmir issue".

In a statement from Srinagar on May 3, 1997 the JKLF Chairman Mohd. Yasin Malik hoped that Labour Party would fulfill all promises its leaders made to Kashmiri people. He also reminded the new Foreign Secretary, Robin Cook of his visit to Kashmir in 1996 and the assurance he gave to them.

Pakistan had all along been against the concept of "Independent Kashmir" but IKI ,F consistently propagated its objective in Pakistan and outside. The fKLF Central Committee at its meeting at Muzaffarabad

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(POK) on April 27,1997 decided to launch a struggle to achieve complete independence for Kashmir.

The party President Amanullah Khan on April 30,1997 at a Press Conference at Islamabad, declared that before his Party "Independence" was the only option for Jammu & Kashmir. He went on to declare that if Pakistan and India did not accept this demand by May 29,1997, a struggle would be launched.

Neither Pakistan not India took serious notice of this demand. On May 29,1997 the JKLF organised a public rally at Muzaffarabad, captial of POK, where its Chairman Amanullah Khan reiterated his demand and made the declaration for complete independence for Jammu & Kashmir. The "Muzaffarabad Declaration" in the form of a resolution was adopted by the gathering. The resolution was as under :

"Whereas Kashmir issue which has caused two bloody wars between India and Pakistan and unimaginable miseries to Kashmir, deserves to be solved equitably and peacefully in the best interest of all the three". "Whereas the Father of Pakistani nation Late Mohammad Ali Jinnah, through his policy statements issued on June 17, July 11 and July 30, 1947 and carried by national and international media, declared that the princely states of the sub-continent including Kashmir could join India or Pakistan or declare complete independence". "Whereas according to internationally recognised principles governing the right of self-determination of enthralled" peoples, this right cannot be limited, conditioned or circumscribed nor can these nations be deprived of their r ight to opt for independence". "Whereas continuous strain in relations between India and Pakistan caused by the Kashmir issue has been adversely affecting the political, economic and diplomatic interests of all the nations of the region and solution of the issue on the basis of complete independence of Kashmir will be politically, economically and diplomatically very beneficial to them all". "Whereas India and Pakistan took no notice of the declaration of JKLF made on January 5,1995 and April 27,1997 that if they did not recognise independence of Kashmir as the third option open to Kashmiris, besides the options of State's accession to India or Pakistan, JKLF would start a movement from May 29, 1997;'.

"Whereas the present state of affairs prevailing in the subcontinent and on international level clearly indicates that plans that would either push Kashmir issue into the cold storage again

- 62 Kashmir Underground

or cut the very Kashmir into pieces, are afoot, it would be criminal on the part of patriotic Kashmiris to turn deaf ears and blind eyes to the fatal dangers that this situation poses for future generations of Kashmir". "And whereas in the light of the abovementioned facts, demanding out-right independence for the entire Jammu Kashmir State is not only in full conformity with the declarations made by fathers of Indian and Pakistani nations, with the guiding principles of the concept of right of self-determination, with the overall interests of the South Asian nations specially of India, Pakistan and Kashmir and with the declarations made by JKLF but is, in fact, the need of the day in the prevail ing circumstances". "Now therefore, we (JKLF), the pioneers of the on-going freedom struggle and the torch-bearers of the independence and integrity of the Jammu Kashmir State, do this 29th day of May 1997, which also marks the 20th birthday of the organisation, announce this Muzaffarabad declaration" "The launching of a concerted and coordinated movement on national and international level for complete independence of the entire Jammu Kashmir state as the only solution of the Kashmir issue." "We appeal to the freedom loving, democratic and justice loving people, organisations and institutions (including governments) of India, Pakistan and of Jammu Kashmir State in general and to patriotic and freedom loving people of our motherland in particular, to extend full support to this movement so that Kashmir changes from a bone of contention to a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan and the future generations of the entire region live a peaceful, prosperous, dignified and free life". "We appeal to all those nations, organisations and institutions, the world over, which believe in peace-with-justice and in human rights and humanitarian values, to do all they can to persuade and even pressurise, India and Pakistan to solve this issue which has been eating into the very vitals of all concerned for the last' half of a century, on the basis of complete independence of the entire Jammu Kashmir State. We hope all concerned will respond favourably".

For the next 3 months this movement could not gather much support. On August 1,1997, the JKLF once again called upon India and Pakistan to accept Kashmiris right to opt for complete independence of whole of iamnui & Kashmir. In a statement issued in Rawalpindi (Pakistan) Mr.

Teams & Turf 63

Amanullah Khan said "Indians were badly mistaken if they thought they could get away with Kashmir or crush Kashmiris' freedom totally and for ever". Reiterating JKLF stand he said "best and the practicable way to solve the Kashmir issue peacefully, equitably, honourably and permanently was to re-unite the parts of Jammu & Kashmir now under the control of India and Pakistan and to let that reunited State emerge as a fully independent country having friendly relations with both India, and Pakistan". Further he wanted "India, Pakistan and China to guarantee not to violate its geographical borders and not to interfere in its internal affairs".

In a separate statement JKLF Chairman castigated Pakistan for harping on "out-dated and unattractive slogan of Kashmir being the jugular vein of Pakistan". He asked "politicians, bureaucrats and other concerned circles in Pakistan to avoid the type of misdeeds which resulted in separation of Pakistan's eastern wing following a most humiliating defeat, which have taken Pakistan to the brink of bankruptcy, which had made it one of the corrupt nations of the world, which deprived it of moral values and which have also divided it into factions on the basis of language, race, region, religious sects and this division has become the most damaging cause for Jaw and order".

A wind of change seemed to be affecting JKLF attitude to changing mood of the people in Kashmir. In 1997 summer a Shankaracharya from. South India was visiting Kashmir. Through some mediators it was arranged that he have a meeting with top leadership of JKLF in Srinagar, Shanfcaracharya Swami Adyog Anand Sabu Jagat on July 1, went to JKLF office in the crowded locality of Maisuma in Srinagar. There he met JKLF (Yasin) Chairman Mohammed Yasin Malik, his Deputy Javed Ahmed Mir and other senior workers. Matters about violence and gun culture were discussed.

ISI in Pakistan set up a new umbrella organisation - J&K Solidarity Front - on August 31,1997 with headquarters at Muzaffarabad (POK), It was announced that Jamait-I-Islami and JKLF had joined it. It was said that JKLF would be represented by Raja Muzaffar. Soon JKLF reacted strongly and totally disowned the JKSF and its Secretary General Dr. Haider Hijazi at Rawalpindi said JKLF does not subscribe to JKSF demand for UN Resolution on Kashmir being the only solution. He also said Raja Muzaffar was not a JKLF representative.

After Harkat-ul-Ansanvas declared a terrorist organisation by US Administration, there was a demand that JKLF may also be included in the list of such organisations.

The US Administration refrained from declaring JKLF a terrorist organisation but issued a warning. The State Department spokesman


James Rubin on October 10,1997 said "The non-inclusion of the JKLF in the list announced by the Secretary of. State Albright by no means indicates that it has been absolved".

Addressing JKLF, he said "Because you are not on the list does not mean you have been given a clean bill of health. You are on the list. We have put together the administrative record necessary to withstand a court challenge".

Reports had come in late in 1997 that ISI had put different training camps run by JKLF in POK, under its strict surveilance. In the middle of February 1998, JKLF alleged that ISI had made many attempts to break up their training camp at Sehensa in Kotli District of POK. ISI Commandos raided the Camp but the inmates resisted the outsiders and were made to retreat in the face of stiff opposition. JKLF Secretary General strongly condemned the Pakistan Government, ISI and the "Puppet" POK Administration and said such acts were against its freedom movement which will not be allowed whatever the cost.

The nuclear tests by India and Pakistan in May 1998 evoked subdued reaction from its leadership. Its Chairman in Kashmir, Mohammed Yasin Malik believed that the tests have infused tension in-the entire South Asia "It is high time for global community to stress the need to solve the Kashmir problem according to the wishes and aspirations of the people of Kashmir or otherwise grave dangers exist of a nucleur holocaust", he added.

The Pakistan-based Chief Commander Mohd. Rafiq Dar in May 1998 decided to revive the militant wing in Kashmir. He deputed Manzoor Ahmed Bakshi to undertake the task. Some arms and ammunition were brought from across the LOC and dumped in Srinagar hideouts. Before the plan could be implemented Bakshi was arrested by BSF on June 16, 1998 and arms and ammunition seized.

On the political front the JKLF (Amanullah) faction based in Pakistan took initiative and called upon the United Nations and other world bodies to help in resolution of long-pending Kashmir issue to "save South Asia from probable nuclear and conventional wars". JKLF Chairman Amanullah Khan on June 28, 1998 sent identical letters to heads of Governments of major world process, Secretaries-General of UN; OIC, OAU; NAM; ASEAN and the European Union; the letter said that international community owed it to its own moral responsibility to save the world in general and South Asia in particular from irreparable destruction to be caused by nucleur conflagaration between India and Pakistan. According to the letter, the only way to do was to solve the Kashmir issue for tension between them. The letter also indicated JKLF formula of 5 steps which were :

a) Divided State be reunited

J

Teams & Turf ' 65

b) Be made a fully independent country with democratic, federal and non-communal system having friendly relations with both India and Pakistan

c) For this there should be negotiations with India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir and keen and serious interest by the community of nations in general and by the United States and China in particular

d) Then Independent Kashmir will conclude an agreement with her neighbours about guaranteeing non-violation of her territorial mtegrity

e) After 15 years there should be a referendum under United Nations to determine the future of the State, leaving all the three options open

The letter then made a request to the Governments and the world organisations to which it is addressed "to appoint an International Kashmir Committee (IKC) comprising one representative each of the UN Secretary General, P-5, Germany, Japan and of OIC and two of NAM". This Committee should discuss the matter with the Governments of India and Pakistan and representatives of Kashmiri political organisations and persuade them to accept the formula and to participate in its implementation.

As an annual feature Pakistan observed February 5,1999 as "Kashmir Solidarity Day". JKLF Chairman, Amanullah Khan was invited to address a gathering in Sindh Governor's House at Karachi. He was not allowed to address the gathering and instead aiongwith some party activists Khan was arrested The party General Secretary Dr Haider Hijazi strongly condemned the arrest calling it "height of duplicity on the part of the Government of Pakistan" He said that on the day when Pakistan was observing Kashmir Solidarity Day, it was shameful to arrest i Amanullah Khan, the pioneer of the ongoing struggle and the torch-' bearer of the wishes and national aspirations of Kashmiris".

The JKLF in Pakistan decided to organise a two-da)1 conference from Aprilll,1999atMirpur(POK). Its senior leader Dr Farooq Haider said on March 12 that heads of all political parties, intellectuals and journalists, from all parts of Jammu & Kashmir State. He said invitations to the! Conference were being sent by Party Chairman, Mohd Yasm Malik }\ (Srinagar) to participants on the Indian side According to him the '" Conference was expected to discuss ways to arrive at an "honourable, ' acceptable and permanent solution of Kashmir issue" 1 Ie said this would be one way for the people or the State to have consensus on an agreed solution and express themselves He felt that 1 ahore Declaration ol India and Pakistan Prime Ministers had adversely ntteiU'd I ho ongoing


movement because it seemed to have eased international pressure to solve the Kashmir issue.

In Srinagar on March 7, 1999 the JKLF organised a Seminar on "Future of Kashmir in World Order and our Responsibilities". Party Chairman, Yasin Malik addressing the Seminar said "time has come to shed our silence. If we will remain silent at this critical juncture, a decision will be thrust upon us. Kashmir is not a bilateral issue and we will not accept any solution which is not approved by the people". Urging the intellectuals to participate in the ongoing movement he lamented "We don't know our stand and where we are heading".

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All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) (Liberation Conference)

This is an umbrella organisation set up in Kashmir of various secessionist elements whether underground or overground. It has an 8-member Executive Committee which meets when required and takes the major decisions and directs its activities. It claimed to represent 34 political, religious and underground organisations when it was established in September 1993. No proper elections were held except for its Chairman. Two elections for Chairmanship followed in April 1996 and again in April 1998. The Executive Committee is controlled, directed and activised by a handful of its members. The Chairman for the first 5 years was gentle teenaged Moulvi Mohd. Omar Farooq, Mirwaiz of Kashmir and President of Awami Action Committee, not seen'asserting himself at any time.

The necessity of a broad political platform had been felt even by the militant outfits since the erruption of insurgency in 1989-90. Somehow no serious effort was made towards its realisation till December 1992. Moulvi Omar Farooq called a meeting of representatives of various organisations on December 27,1992 but nothing concrete came out of it. It was decided that informal discussions will be carried on.

The second attempt was more successful. Moulvi Omar Farooq convened another meeting which took place on March 8,1993, with the?i intent of formulating "a common strategy" to face the new situation that' had emerged in Kashmir. The meeting decided to set up All Parties^, Liberation Conference which will have representation from Awami, Action Committee; Jamait-I-Islami; Itehad-ul-Musalmeen; People's 1 Conference; Tehreek-I-Hurriyat Kashmir; Jamait Ahale Hadees; Moslem I Conference; Anjuman Tableeq-ul-Islam; Jamait-e-Hamdania; Peoples ' League; Jamait-e-Ulema-I-Islam Kashmir; Bazm-I-Tuheed; Anjuman-I-Shari-I-Shian; Anjuman Auqaf Jamia. Masjid; Umati Islamia; Liberation Council; Moslem Khawateen Markaz; Political Conference; Human Rights Committee; Kashmir Bar Association; Basic Rights Committee and two factions of Employees and Workers Confederation. Others could join subsequently.

The objectives of the new organisation would be: to preserve and maintain the Islamic and majority character of the Valley and to help the three parties - India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir - to solve the Kashmir dispute as per the aspirations of Kashmiri people; informing the world community about the situation in Kashmir would be anottier objective of the Conference.

At the meeting a 7-memoer suh-commiffee was set up to draft a Constitution of the new organisation. Its members were to be: Mr. Justice


Mufti Balaudin Farooqi, former Chief Justice; Mian Abdul Qayoom, President of Kashmir Bar Association; Nazir Ahmed Rongha; Pir Hafizullah Makhdoomi; Shahid-ul-Islam; Shabir Siddiqui and Firdous Asmi.

The 8-member Executive Committee would consist of 8 major political parties sending one representative each.

One of the important members of the Executive Committee and President of the Peoples Conference, Abdul Ghani Lone explained that the new organisation will supplement the armed struggle but "not replace the gun".

For the next six months consultations were carried on among various groups and the Constitution of the Conference was also finalised.

From the platform of Hazratbal Shrine the new organisation to be known as All PartiesHurriyat (Liberation) Conference was launched on Friday, September 9,1993. It was announced that thirty religious and political parties had joined it and the Conference will be headed by Moulvi Umar Farooq, President of the Awami Action Committee. It was learnt later that there were serious differences on who should head the new organisation. The Jamait-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani staking his claim, said "Jamait-e-Islami which has had a consistent stand on Kashmir since 1947, has a place of pre-eminence. Realism demands that this position should be accepted by all". He said that they had accepted the choice "in the larger interest of unity". While assuring full cooperation he quickly added that the cooperation would be conditional and emphasized that "the moment we feel that it is going in the wrong direction we will withdraw".

The first meeting of the Executive Committee was held on September 22,1993. The Jamait-e-Islami leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani was a notable absentee though he was in town. Though the new organisation has its members from parties and groups whose objectives were either pro-Pak or pro-independence, Gilani reportedly felt that the latter is the dominant ideology of the Hurriyat Conference. Moulvi Farooq, after the meeting, said that the major task before the Conference was to work for securing the right of self-determination and leave people to decide about, their political future. According to him "we are at the take-off stage. Our initiative has received a good response from all underground organisations. No organisation has opposed the move". Moulvi Omar Farooq said he proposes to set up a strong secretariat for the organisation during his term of one year as President. The ideologue of the Conference, Prof. Ghani asserted that Hurriyat now represented "whole community of Kashmiris including genuine Hindus and Sikhs". While Prof. Ghani talked ofchanges at global level" Abdul Ghani I .one drawing from world history said that "every freedom movement elsewhere in the world had

Teams & Turf 69

succeeded and it would be so also in Kashmir. Whole of Kashmir is up in arms fighting for liberation and since freedom demands sacrifices of the highest order people are already offering".

To start with, the underground militant groups were hesitant in lending total support. So Hurriyat leadership prevailed on influential outfits to offer public support. Leaders of 7 major groups after a meeting, in a joint statement on November 7,1993 appealed to people to extend support and all possible cooperation to Hurriyat Conference. The 7 groups were: JKLF, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Al Jehad, Al Umar Mujahideen, Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen, Al Burq and Operation Balakote. Separately, the Islamic Students League also offered cooperation to the Hurriyat Conference.

In the middle of October 1993 a godsent opportunity came the way of Hurriyat Conference. There was a crisis surrounding the world known Shrine of Hazratbal. By lack of imagination, factional rivalry, inept reflexes and responses and incorrect appreciation of the developing situation day after day, the Hurriyat leadership failed to capitalise the groundswell of public support.

Reports had been circulating in Srinagar for some time that armed militants had taken refuge inside the Hazratbal Shrine and had established a nerve centre to control and direct the "struggle for freedom". On October 15,1993 it was known that an attempt had been made to tamper the locks of the door of the room in which is housed the Safe containing the Holy Relic of the Prophet. The Government fearing that some harm may not come to the Shrine and the Holy Relic, asked the Security Forces to surround the Shrine complex and not allow anyone to leave the complex or to enter it without authorisation. On October 16th

with the holed up militants torching the barracks inside the complex meant for Security Forces the situation became more tense. The Hurriyat leadership took some time to respond.

After consultations among themselves and with some underground leaders, the Hurriyat Conference issued an ultimatum to the Government on October 18 to withdraw armed security forces from around the Shrine complex by the next afternoon, the Hurriyat leaders alongwith thousands of their supporters would march from different parts of Srinagar to the Shrine, defying the restrictions imposed in the City. Their spokesman , Abdul Ghani Lone said they planned to assemble in the Civil Lines area and march to the UN Military Observers Headquarters, submit a memorandum seeking the world body's immediate intervention in Kashmir. Thereafter, they will continue their march to the Hazratbal Shrine. He alleged that the "siege of the Shrine is direct interference in the religions affair of Moslems. Such acts would never be tolerated by Kashmiri masses and they will lay their lives tor preserving the sanctity


of the holiest of the holy places". The same day the Conference announced its intention of intensifying its campaign against the government by organising a peoples' march from Lai Chowk to the Shrine on October 21 if the siege is not lifted by then.

On October 19, Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone was injured in the police Iathicharge on a defiant mob near Budshah Chowk. For better medical attention the Government flew him to Delhi. The Hurriyat Conference condemned the use of force resulting in injury to a few individuals. Mr. S.A.S. Gilani alleged that Lone was beaten mercilessly before being arrested along with Nayeem Khan and Ghulam Nabi Sumji. He also condemned imposition of curfew in the City areas and evacuation of over 3000 persons from the Hazratbal area. He justified the entry of the armed militants into the Shrine by asserting that they were within their rights to use places of worship for their just and sacred cause and claimed that "we believe in unification of religion and politics" and in any case mosques had been used as sanctuaries since Islam's inception".

On October 22, a large number of people responded to the Hurriyat call to march to Hazratbal Shrine despite the curfew. After Friday congregational .prayers people formed processions and then got together to form one big one. Near Fatehkadal area the police tried to disperse the procession. A Hurriyat leader, Moulvi Abbas Ansari and a few others were injured. Another leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani was leading a procession from Burzala area. He was arrested by the Security Forces.

There were protest processions out in many towns of Kashmir Valley and police had to use force to disperse the crowds defying restrictions. That evening some 29 persons were reported dead and over 200 injured i from all over Kashmir.

For the next three weeks the Government officers were negotiating with militant leaders inside the Shrine and the Hurriyat leadership seemed to have no role in this. On November 16 the holed up militants agreed to come out of the Shrine and surrender to the authorities. The Hurriyat Conference felt it had been marginalised and the people had failed to secure dividends from this operation. On November 19, the Hurriyat Conference gave an ultimatum to the Government to remove "all security forces and bunkers around the Hazratbal Shrine within 6 days or face serious consequences". The deadline passed with Government showing no sign of relenting. In the meantime, Hurriyat leaders held hectic meetings among themselves and with some underground leaders, and formulated a plan. On November 26, Hurriyat leader Prof. Ghani told press of the line of action decided upon. He said people were advised to march peacefully towards the Shrine on December 7, with white shrouds on their persons and then break the

• Teams & Turf 71

security cordon around the Shrine Complex to have the "Deedar" of the Holy Relic. Thereafter the congregation was advised to undertake the "Migration March to Azad Kashmir". This march was to be known as "Operation Hijrat". Prof. Ghani reiterating the resolve of people to continue their struggle, stated "the Government can kill people, destroy the property, but cannot change the resolve of the Kashmiris". Prof. Ghani did not leave anyone in doubt about Hurriyat's disappointment regarding the "tame outcome" of the Hazratbal crisis when he admitted that the "end of the episode was not according to the wishes of the Hurriyat Conference". He also charged the Government of "trying to break the Hurriyat Conference". It will be worth recalling what Prof. Ghani had told the media after the demonstrations of October 21/1993,, "if the armed forces storm the shrine we win, if they withdraw we win, and if they flush out the militants we still win".

With authorisation from t he Hurriyat Conference, the Moslem Auqaf Trsut (which administers the Hazratbal Shrine) negotiated with Government nominees in the first week of December regarding rerhoval of bunkers and security forces from the Shrine complex. Hurriyat had laid the condition that should an agreement emerge it would be subject to acceptance by the Hurriyat Conference. No agreement could be reached because Government insisted that the Auqaf Trust give the guarantee that no militant shall enter the Shrine. Prof. Ghani said "no body can stop a Moslem from entering any place of worship, be it a- mosque or a shrine".

Strict enforcement of prohibitory orders by the Administration did not allow the people to form processions on December 7,1993.

The Hurriyat Conference on December 31 appealed to the Pakistan , Government to raise the Hazratbal issue during Secretary-level talks > starting in New Delhi the next day. A spokesman of the Conference alleged that the Shrine "is under siege for last 77 days in which no azaan could be said or prayers offered". The Hurriyat called for a "civil curfew" on January 9,1994 on the eve of Idd-I-Miraj - Prophet's birth anniversary, as peoples protest against security arrangement around the Shrine.

On December 27,1993 All Parties Hurriyat Conference welcomed the Indo-Pak talks scheduled for January 1,1994 but warned that these would not yield any purpose if the "genuine representatives of Jammu & Kashmir people were not involved" and a refeirence is not made to United Nations. Its Chairman, Moulvi Umar Farooq, releasing a document, said the current phase of the struggle of Kashmiri people started with "massive unarmed demonstrations". The document said any deal between the two countries would fail to yield any credible result as had happened in the past without practical measures to restore an environment of non-violence and end to State terrorism. It further


said that "any sincere response to the gravity of the situation in the Valley would call for an immediate and complete cessation of military action, dismantling of all bunkers, watch towers and barricades set up in towns and villages and stopping torture and killings in custody. Besides, the military and paramilitary presence in cities, towns and villages must be completely withdrawn and all political prisoners released unconditionally. The Governments of India and Pakistan should facilitate Kashmiri leadership on both sides of the Line of Actual Control to confer and submit their own proposals fora peaceful settlement".

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference also demanded that Abdul Ghani Lone, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Mohammed Yasin Malik should be released forthwith. The APHC leaders also demanded that India and Pakistan issue a joint declaration that they do not contemplate a military solution to the Kashmir problem, that the two Prune Ministers are ready to meet to set the peace process in motion, that the genuine representatives of the people of Kashmir will be fully associated with the process and that in thq event of a stalemate, both India and Pakistan would be willing to invite or accept impartial mediation or to make a reference to the UN-

On January 13,1994, the APHC ruled out any direct talks with the Government of India. After meeting of the Executive Committee, party Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, told press that there was no question of entering into a dialogue with New Delhi without participation of Pakistan, which was "not only necessary but unavoidable" for a lasting and peaceful solution of the Kashmir dispute.

JKLF observes the death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat on February 11 every year. This year it got endorsement from the Hurriyat Conference which on February 10, announced its full support to the JKLF strike call on the anniversary. In a statement the APHC also paid handsome tribute to Maqbool Bhat who "laid down his life for the cause of freedom".

The recent comment of an American official that people of Kashmir had to project a strong leadership set the underground to make the Hurriyat Conference strong and the sole polilical representative body to "speak on behalf of Kashmiris". Recently when a group of European Ambassadors visited Kashmir, various groups of Kashmiris who met them were reported to have projected different and often contradictory points of view.

The } lurriyat however had failed to assert during the Hazratbal crisis and Inter failed to secure the restoration of the Shrine complex. Even the agitation called for and the "Operation I lijrnt" proved a non-starter and fully exposed the inherent weakness of this patchwork selup. And yet for the underground the I lurriyat seems to be the only political hope.

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Many important militant outfits started work to st-cure active support for APHC Three groups Al Burq, Al Umar MujaWeen and Ikhwan-ul-Muslamgen. issued separate statements asking all militant groups to extend full cooperation and support to Hurriyat While Al Burq insisted ' that memoranda and other material to various visiting diplomats and representatives of other international bodies be routed through Hurriyat Conference, Ikhwan said no strike call should be given without seeking concurrence of APHC. Al Umar on the other hand asked Hurriyat leadership to close their ranks and provide effective and well-organised programme for highlighting the Kashmir issue.

A senior member of British Labour Party and its Shadow Foreign Secretary/ Dr. Jack Cunningham paid a 3-day visit to Kashmir and Jammu in the last week of March 1994. In Srinagar he met APHC Chairman Moulvi Umar Farooq and its spokesman Prof. Ghani, and in Jammu he

\ met Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Abdul Ghani Lone in jail and discussed the Kashmir situation. At New Delhi on March 28, on the eve of his return to London, Dr. Cunningham told the press "I did not get the im.ptessi.Oix thai they wete willing to stand up against violence". He also disclosed that the suggestion made by him for a ceasefire only evoked a negative response from Hurriyat leaders. He also said that there was evidence of extensive external support for the militant activity". It is obvious that militants are getting support from Pakistani side across the line of control" he added. -jf

Worried by increasing rivalry among the militant groups ana intergang violence, the APHC on April 1,1994 after the Friday prayers in Jamia Masjid set up a two member Committee to go into "infighting" among the militant outfits in the Valley and appealed to them to agree to a "ceasefire". Pir Hafizullah Makhdoomi (of Peoples Conference)' and Ghulam Rasul Wani (of Liberation Council), both members of the Executive Committee have been asked to remove misunderstandings among various outfits. They were also authorised to award punishments to those found involved in hostilities.

The Hurriyat sent a 4-member delegation to Delhi on April 7,1994 on what was described as a "goodwill mission". The delegation was led by Prof. Abdul Ghani and Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Mr Ghulam Mohammed Bhat and Mufti Baha-ud-Din Farooqi, retired Chief Justice, were other members- The delegation went to Delhi at a time when an official delegation from US States Department of Mr. Strobe Talbott, Deputy Secretary of State and Ms. Robin Raphael, was in Delhi. The APHC delegation met two important members of Asian Society of New York on a visit to Delhi, Ms. Carln Mills and Arther Hartman hut didn't meet the American officials. However on Arpil 8 the delegation had a long meeting with Dr. Karan Singh, the former Maharaja of Jammu & Kashmir.

http://im.ptessi.Oix


In Kashmir some of the Hurriyat Conference constituents raised objections and criticised the delegation for their allegedly having described India as a friend. The JKLF said the delegation had overstepped their authority m meeting people other than the American delegation. The JKLF accused the 4 Hurriyat leaders of "indiscipline" and asked them to return posthaste to Srinagar before more damage is done to the Hurriyat image. The Hizbullah spokesman said that by equating India with Pakistan the four leaders had "ignored the killing of 40,000 Kashmiris at the hands of the Indian troops" and this had hurt the sentiments of Kashmiri people, he added Six weeks later almost a similar situation developed A Hurriyat leader Fazal Haq Quereishi went to Delhi in the end of May 1994 and held meetings with officials, non-officials and some political leaders ostensibly to find a solution to the difficulties in Kashmir. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen asked the Hurriyat Conference to clear its stand about these New Delhi confabulations. The Hizb said explanations should be got on whose authority they discussed Kashmir in Delhi. The Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen also asked Hurriyat to take the masses into confidence about the New Delhi talks. The Tehreek President Prof. Aslam in a statement said Hurriyat should clarify if Abbas and Quereishi had been given any briet. But talks to find a solution of Kashmir problem can be only between India, Pakistan and the representatives of the people of Kashmir.

To establish that Hurriyat Conference was the apex body in Kashmir, it decided to enforce a "civil curfew" to prevent Moharrum procession to be taken out in Srinagar on June 19 and 21, 1994. Hurriyat leader Moulvi Abbas Ansari, who represents Shias, said for the first time Moslems in Kashmir had decided not to take out tlie procession to protest against the authorities.

Two senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani and Abdul Ghani Lone were released from detention in early October 1994 At their first press meet on October 17 they said Hurriyat would not participate in any elections held on Jamniu & Kashmir, if organised by India They were of the opinion that such elections were no answer to the problem of Kashmir. They further said that Hurriyat would advise people to participate only if they were held under the auspicies of UN and after India concedes that Kashmir is a disputed territory

A US Congressional delegation visited Kashmir in the middle ot November 1994 to meet Hurriyat leaders as also representations of other shades of opinion. The delegation led by Mr. Gary Ackerman came to assess the Kashmiri situation and seek Hurriyat views on ending of violence and participation in the electoral process The US delegation was less than satisfied with the Humvat response Hum vat leaders could give no reply as to how they could pro\ e their being representatives

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of Kashmiri masses unless people in an election elected them. To the question that they would not participate in elections conducted by India if in the seventies both Gilani and Lone and their parties Jamait-e-Islami and Peoples Conference had no hesitation in participating in elections in Kashmir organised by Indian Election Commission. Both these leaders were elected to the J&K Legislative Assembly then and Lone also became a Minister. Mr. Ackerman also hinted at support being extended by Pakistan to militants in Kashmir when he said that "all hands in Kashmir militancy are not local".

The APHC held its General Council meeting in December 1994. At this meeting an important proposal was made by Shabir Ahmed Shah -Chairman of Peoples League. He proposed that all parties and political groups committed to Kashmiris' right to right of self-determination may merge and form one strong united party having one objective, one leader, one constitution, and one flag. He also suggested that APHC may have representation from Jammu and Ladakh regions also.

Most of the constituents of Hurriyat Conference were opposed to this proposal. In the first week of January 1995 their reactions and responses became public. While Prof. Ghani of the Moslem Conference announced that the thesis was impracticable and demands be rejected in the very first thought, Peoples Conference Chairman Abdul Ghani Lone was of the view that the proposal deserves a serious thought. The major component, Jamait-e-Islami made no bones that it was totally/ opposed to i t Most important leader of JEI and its nominee in the Executive Committee Syed Ali Shah Gilani said his organisation was "intrinsically a missionary organisation, dedicated to the cause of Islam" * and because of its distinctive character, cannot merge in any arrangement. "It is not possible to cease the existence of the Jamait-e-Islami", he asserted. Elaborating it, he said "the Jamait-e-Islami is an Islamic organisation with international character striving for establishing the Din - the religion of Allah which provides guidance and leadership to be followed by entire mankind and its absorption into any other organisation was, for all practical purposes, impossible". He also added that "all the constituents of the Hurriyat Conference as also the propounders of merger acknowledge this fact".

Another reason advanced against this merger proposal was that the APHC has many constituents which are purely of religious, social and political motive and their merger into any faction into any party is not easy. These include Anjuman-e-Tableeg-ul-Islam, Jamait-I-Ahal-e-Hadees and Anjumnn-e-Nusrat-ul-Islani, the Muslim Auqaf Trust, the Government Employees Conference and the Kashmir Bar Association.

The APHC also shot down a proposal to give membership to individual lenders in addition to parties. Prot. Ghani explaining it argued

' 76 Kashmir Underground

the "Hurriyat Conference is a collective forum of parties operating in the body politics of Jammu & Kashmir. In our scheme of things, it is therefore, the parties which will have to be represented in the forum, not individuals". "It is All Parties Hurriyat Conference, not All Persons Hurriyat Conference", he stated.

The Hurriyat Conference Chairman, Moulvi Umar Farooq and a senior SMa leader Moulvi Abbas-Ansari had gone abroad to attend the OIC Summit at Casablanca in Morocco in December 1994. They toured some other countries as well. At Casablanca they met a large number of world leaders to whom they explained their point of view on Kashmir. It seems that they were not able to convince different Moslem countries whose representatives they met judging from the result of the Summit. The reference to Kashmir in the main Resolution was just routine. However, the Kashmiri leaders saw for themselves that Pakistan was

, not able to catch the OIC member countries by the nose and turn it whichever side it wanted. This realisation influenced the APHC thinking and future plans. Although APHC does welcome every meeting of OIC where Kashmir is put on the agenda, but they no longer bank on that alone and have ceased to be enthusiastic about it.

i In early 1994 the Hurriyat Conference toyed with the idea of seeking • membership of OIC but it was pointed out that only sovereign • governments could become its members. If the APHC could form a

government-in-exile only then would it become possible. It did not seem to be ready for that then. Even Pakistan did not encourage it.

As part of their foreign tour, the two Hurriyat leaders went to UK also. There, in the first week of February 1995, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq told BBC Radio that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait had decided to send funds directly to APHC in Kashmir through the OIC. Later elaborating he said, the funds would be used "for relief and rehabilitation of suffering Kashmiris".

No mention however was made of the method of distribution and the monitoring mechanism. Some Kashmiri elements have started asking questions about the funds received so far and their utilisation.

In February 1995 Hurriyat leader Prof. Ghani participated in a meeting in Delhi to find solution of Kashmir issue. Subsequently, he addressed a Press Conference where he spoke about Kashmir. Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen took objection to it and condemned Prof. Ghani for sabotaging the freedom struggle. It issued a "death warrant" against him. The API IC considered it outside interference in internal matters of Hurriyat and asked Ikhwan to withdraw the warrant. Both sides stuck to their stands and the matter tizzled out in due course. But once again an outfit had success fully challenged the authority of the Hurriyat Confort'iitv and also its supremacy, for Ikhwan refused to accept Hurriyn t

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decision that role of militant organisations was limited to providing protection to political leaders. It declared boldly that Ikhwan would neither give protection not support to any political leader, The Hurriyat leadership was shaken up.

The SAARC summit took place in New Delhi in the first week of May 1995. The Pakistan President, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, came to attend it. The AHPC had sought permission from Pakistan High Commission to enable a Hurriyat delegation to meet him in New Delhi. A delegation headed by its Chairman, Mirwaiz Moiilvi Umar Farooq went to New Delhi for the meeting. Three other members of the delegation were Abdul Ghani Lone, Moulvi Abbas Ahmed Ansari and Shabir Ahmed Shah. They met in Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi onMay5,1995. The Pakistani Foreign Minister, Sardar AseefAli Khan, was present in the meeting. After the meeting declining to share what transpired, Abdul Ghani Lone told press that "we don't want to say anythinjg at the moment. We had very extensive talks".

Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani in 1995 went to Saudi Arabia to perform Haj but it turned out to be more than that. The visit was utilised for political purposes to meet various leaders of Moslem world and to put across the Hurriyat points of view on Kashmir. He also briefed them about the "Kashmir dispute", prevailing situation in the Valley and alleged gross violatations of human rights by the security forces.*/ He met Nawabzada Nassarullah Khan, Chairman of Kashmir Committee in Pakistan and Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan, Prime Minister of POK* Gilani also had a long meeting with Dr. Mohammed Ahmed, Secretary-General of World Islamic League and urged him to set up a special cell, in the League Secretariat to keep tab on the Kashmir situation and also* use its good offices to pressurise India to concede the right of self-determination to Kashmiris. So far the League does not seem to have taken any step in this direction. Gilani in Mecca also met the Vice President of the League Dr. Abdullah Al Naseef. Later he called on Dr. Mani, Secretary General of World Assembly of Moslem Youth. On return to Srinagar because of rivalry assuming alarming proportions, Gilani appealed to various militant groups to sink their differences and to extend support to Hurriyat Conference. Addressing a press conference on June 22,1995 he alleged that having failed to crush the peoples movement, the Government had "misled persons like Kukha Paray, Samad Khan and Naba Azad" to side with Government to become counter insurgents.

Hurriyat Conference in 1994 started feeling handicapped because it did not have any representation from Jammu and Ladakh regions and also because no non-moslem was part of the Conference. The matter, it seemed, was discussed among its leaders but nothing clear cut emerged. On June 30, 1995 in n press interview its Chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi

78 Kashmir Underground •

• Umar Farooq said Hurriyat needed to be broadbased platform of political constituents from Ladakh and Jammu regions. He disclosed that some Jammu leaders and some Kashmiri Pandit leaders had shown interest in

' the AHPC. He said they were in touch with the Moslem Action Committee of Ladakh and some Buddhist organisations as well. He said he would welcome the return of the Kashmiri Pandit migrants to Kashmir Valley, but it was a fact tha t though all over the world "atrocities on Kashmiris have been condemned by all and sundry minus the Kashmiri Pandits. Still we accept them as our part".

When asked why he accepted Indian security and travelled on an Indian passport, he replied that security guards provided to Kim were "an official vigil against my wishes" and justified his Indian passport on trie ground that because of it he was able to travel abroad and was able

- to participate in OlC's Casablanca summit. In early July 1995, the Indian Government deputed a high level

delegation to Kashmir for talks without condition with leaders of different political complexions. The delegation was headed by Mr. Bhuvnesh Chaturvedi, MOS in the Prime Minister's Office. They met leaders of various parties but the APHC leaders refused to meet them on the ground that the meeting would be "useless and meaningless". Its spokesman said the offer of talks was aimed "to buy time and fulfill the military

~~ goals in Kashmir on one hand to mislead the world community on the other".

The AHPC had always felt that without the JKLF participation the moslem world would not accept the Hurriyat Conference as a "truly representative body of Kashmiris". In a meeting of its Executive Committee held on August 3,1995 a 3-member Committee was set up to "persuade the JKLF President (Mohd. Yasin Malik) to take part in its meetings". The member of this Committee were: Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Shabir Ahmed Shah and Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat, Yasin Malik had withdrawn from APHC activities since November 1993 when APHC leadership described Malik's "fast-unto-death" as un-Islamic. It was said that Malik's Gandhian approach had no place in the current struggle. A letter was sent to Mr. Yasin Malik by the Chairman of Hurriyat

' Conference. The text of the letter is given below since this was the first and only case where APHC was so particular about participation of an organisation:

"Jenab Mohammed Ynsin Malik Sahib, President JKLF Dear Friend,

The APHC Executive Council in an extraordinary meeting

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held here today the 3rd of August, 1995 considered your prolonged absence, once again with a deep sense of anxiety and sorrow, decided unanimously that a request be made to you, in the larger interests of the movement that you make it convenient to attend the forthcoming meeting of the APHC Executive Council. As for your accusation the members of the Executive Council believe that an enunciation of Islamic principles should not be misconstrued as derogatory to your status as a Muslim. However, if you still feel pained about it or take it otherwise, we would like to assure you that we hold you in high esteem and regard your services to the cause of people very valuable. We assure you that the repetition oi the past acts that amounted to create misunderstanding shall be avoided in future.

Sd/-Chairman, Hurriyat Conference

This letter had its effect and Yasin Malik agreed to participate in APHC deliberations.

A parcel bomb was thrown in the office of local stringer of BBCon September 7,1995. Next day the APHC announced a 3-day strike all over Kashmir for September 9 to protest against the attack which i t , alleged was by activists of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. The APHC Chairman^ Moulvi Umar Farooq told press that it was to protest against and "attract attention towards the state terrorism in Kashmir". He blamed the security agencies and a particular group which he said was being patronised by the Government for the explosion. He alleged that this attack was' engineered because the "government wanted to suppress the voice of Kashmir press as it has presented the true picture of the situation. Since it was unhappy with the role of the press so the Government wanted to crush its voice by killing the journalists".

The Hurriyat Conference had been against any kind of Autonomous Council for Ladakh region and expression had been given to this many a time. On August 16,1995 the APHC alleged that setting up of the Leh Autonomous Hill' Council was "a deliberate attempt to disrupt the territorial integrity of the State". After a meeting of the APHC Executive Committee a statement was issued which said, "neither India nor. Pakistan has the right of changing the disputed nature of the State, constitutionally or administratively under the UN Resolutions".

The Chairman of the newly elected Leh Autonomous Hill^ Development Council, Mr. Thupstnn Chewang on September 10, 1995 accused the Hurriyat Conference of being communal, and termed it as unfortunate, its opposition to the formation of the Council. I le told Press


that "present attitude of the Hurriyat Conference to the formation of the Hill Council exposed its communal attitude". According to him "Hurriyat reach was confined only to Kashmir Valley which was also under great stress". The APHC leaders had threatened to disrupt the supply of essential commodities to the Ladakh region passing through the Kashmir Valley. The Ladakhi leader described it as "unwarranted and unfortunate".

The Hurriyat Conference sent a 2-member team to the US to create favourable atmosphere for acceptance of the secessionist viewpoint by public and the US Administration. Jaleel Ahmed Andrabi, Chairman of Kashmir Commission of Jurists and Ghulam Mohd. Bhat, Chairman of the Institute of Kashmir Studies spent time in New York and Washington meeting officials and various delegations at the United Nations and later with officials of the State Department. They also had meetings with members of the Congress especially Dan Burton and Dana Rohrabacher - the well-known India-baiters. They also called on Ken Jensen, representative of the US Institute of Peace. These meetings were arranged by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai, Executive Director of the Kashmiri-American Council, who accompanied them in most of the meetings.

Before going to the US, the two-member delegation had been to Geneva, where they participated in the UN Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities Conference.

A few days later the Hurriyat Conference sent its Chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq to meet UN officials and members of delegations of different countries attending the UN General Assembly. On October 6,1995 he participated in a Seminar on Kashmir organised by the "Asian Society" in New York. It was attended by some jurists and intellectuals from India, Pakistan and US, some representatives from United Nations and members of the Editorial Board of New York Times. He apprised them of the situation in Kashmir and the abuses of human rights. He called on the participants to work for durable peace in the South Asian region by helping to find a peaceful solution of Kashmir solution. Next day the Hurriyat leader met the UN Security Council President, Ibrahim Gambari, Nigerian Ambassador to UN, Moulvi Farooq.told Mr Gambari to see that UN became more actively involved in solving Kashmir and to ensure that "UN honour its commitment to the Kashmiri people made over 50 years ago which was to grant the people of Kashmir their right to self-determination". In this meeting also Moulvi Umar Farooq was accompanied by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai.

Here in Kashmir expectations were rising and pressure was also being built up on the APHC to strain every nerve to get the 4 foreign hostages released from Al Farnn custody. On October 7,1995 the APHC Acting Chairman Syi'd Ali Shah (lilnni [old the Pri'ss that this

Teams & Turf 81

organisation was "not in a position to take active part in resolving the hostage crisis". He told the press that it was the Government who were in communication with Al Faran. "We do not have any contact with Al Faran", he stated. He accused the government of continuing this gameplan to "defame the ongoing movement at an international level". He claimed that Hurriyat was dead against the abduction of innocents and it strongly condemned the abduction and even called for a Valley wide bandh.

At this press conference he stated that the Hurriyat Conference had sent an appeal to the 52-member organisation of Islamic countries to "snap economic and diplomatic ties with India" to bring pressure on it to stop its "attritive and opressive hand in Kashmir and grant the right of self-determination to the people here. Gilani said the appeal had been conveyed to the OIC members at New York that day by APHC Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq.

The Hurriyat Conference was severely criticised by a strong militant group HizbuUah, for double standards adopted by them. A spokesman of the group on October 7,1995 in a statement said while Hurriyat had stopped militant groups from giving calls for bandhs without APHC permission but the Hurriyat has been calling for bandhs frequently. The statement said HizbuUah was against bandhs because they do not affect the Government and instead pushes Kashmir economy further towards destruction. With a punch the statement recaUed that the "militants in Kashmir have taken to the gun with only one objective, either to be victorious or achieve martyrdom. WhiJe 40,000 people haye laid down their lives, to observe bandh on the kiUing of any one in unnecessary.

A week after this, on October 14, 1995, the APHC accused the Government for "resorting to worst kind of state terrorism to crush the ongoing movement". Addressing a Friday congragation in Srinagar's Jamia Masjid, senior leaders Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Abdul Ghani Lone and Mohammed Yasin Malik aUeged that government was sabotaging the movement through its agents. "The security forces are busy committing inhuman acts across the Valley, killing and arresting people and destroying their property at their wiU and outraging the modesty of women" they stated.

On October 16 Mr. Abdul Ghani Lone, a senior Hurriyat leader, alleged that an attempt had been made on his life the previous* day. Addressing the press at Srinagar he alleged that Government had plans -to eliminate the top Hurriyat Conference leadership. He said "We are' not children. We are mature politicians. We know that India is the third military power in the .world. But we are ready to sacrifice our lives for the ongoing movement as it would be a great honour for us. Our blood


will reinforce the forces of freedom against India" he added. About the Government offer to provide Hurriyat leaders government security he said "We will sacrifice our lives but will not accept the government security. We do not want people of intelligence agencies who want to see us dead, to enter our houses- It will be more dangerous". The Government spokesman same day told press that Hurriyat leaders including Mr. Lone had been approached and offered state security a number of times but it had been rejected.

The Hurriyat Conference Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq from USA after meeting officials at UN and in Washington travelled on to Colombia in South America to meet world leaders gathered at Contegena for the 40th NAM Summit. On October 19, 1995 the Hurriyat leader met 15 NAM leaders including those from China, Pakistan, Iran Turkey, Indonesia and a few more OIC countries. Moulvi Farooq informed them of his view on Kashmir and the "gross abuses of human rights taking place in Kashmir at the hands of Indian forces".

On another front the Hurriyat Executive Committee decided to keep its channels open with Indian political parties, intellectuals, human rights activists, press and diplomats. It was decided to open an "Awareness Office" in New Delhi. This was opened in New Delhi on November 5, 1995. The Hurriyat leaders made frequent trips to Delhi and met important members of opposition parties, well-known Indian journalists and foreign correspondents, diplomats of major countries. They decided to use its New Delhi office to disseminate information from Kashmir giving the "real picture" of happenings in Kashmir. For more than a year the APHC had been more active outside the State than in Kashmir where people had started doubting its representative character on one hand, and its ability to pursue any concrete programme of action, on the other. Its first venture out of the State was in April 1994 when a 4-member delegation went to Delhi. This was followed by many visits to Delhi, to Rawalpindi in September 1994 at the time of OIC Foreign Ministers Conference then and later to Casablanca, USA and Columbia.

The Al Faran had been holding four western hostages since July 4, 1995. Claiming to be the sole representative organisation of Kashmiris, the western world expected it to use its good offices and its clout to get the hostages released. The Al Faran also sent an appeal to Hurriyat Conference to mediate with the government to get 15 jailed militants released in exchange for the 4 hostages. After due consideration Hurriyat Conference turned down the plea. Instead the Hurriyat leadership appealed to Al Faran to release the hostages without further delay and without any conditions. The appeal entreating them said "If you are moslems and sympathisers of the freedom struggle, please let the hostages go". Syed AliShah Gilani, Acting Chairman of APHC said "It

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is out of question for the APHC to mediate with a government which has been committing all sorts of atrocities on the people of Kashmiris".

Back from an extensive foreign tour the APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, in December 1995 at Srinagar took stock of the situation in Kashmir, with leaders of the constituent parties. It was" decided that new contacts made abroad should be fully exploited by giving them detailed information from time to time. The Hurriyat leaders compiled facts and figures which were presented to press on December 21, 1995. Moulvi Omar Farooq told press that Hurriyat had invited attention of UNO, the OIC and the Amnesty International among others to "reign of terror let loose by the Government and its secret agencies in Kashmir". APHC Chairman alleged Iargescale custodial killings and houses blasted through explosives in Srinagar District. He also alleged that security forces were resorting to "terror-striking tactics". Another Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone alleged that. Government was "employing renegade militants to liquidate the Hurriyat leaders". He further alleged that "entire people of Kashmir were under threat of annihilation". These allegations were strongly denied by the Government ' three days later.

A week later another senior leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani alleged that an attempt on his life had been made a day earlier. He saidit was a "Government plot to kill the genuine voice of Kashmir people". It is theVt Government which wants to see us dead and for this purpose it is using * some Kashmiri renegades militants", he added. "No pressure from the • Government can bring one under subjugation. I am ready to die rather to bow before the Government pressure".

The Hurriyat Conference decided in January 1996 to send a delegation to Pakistan. On January 16, its spokesman Prof. Abdul Ghani told a Press Conference in New Delhi, that they had sought permission of the Union Government for this. Explaining it, he said such a visit would facilitate a meeting of leaders from both sides of Kashmir and intellectuals from India and Pakistan to sit across the table to arrive at a solution on Kashmir. "Once such a dialogue is set in motion, guns would be silenced in the Valley", he added. . -

In Kashmir resort to strikes and bandhs had become very'frequent towards the end of 1995. Militant outfits, even small ones, give call for strike on "small matters" according to APHC, which had to express concerns on February 6, 1996, over frequent calls for strikes. Its spokesman said that no hartal call may be given without APHC permission for "day to day strikes are creating problems for the masses besides affecting the economy of the State".

The Hurriyat Conference which was considered quite pro-American for the first two years or.so of its existence gradually grow cold because


the US Administration was no longer saying things that suited Hurriyat politically. The four day visit to Kashmir in June 1995, of the US

1 Ambassador to India, Mr. Frank Wisner marked the watershed. In Srinagar he met Hurriyat leaders among others as also the representatives of Kashmiri Pandit migrants. After the visit Mr. Wisner said US supported holding of elections in Kashmir at the earliest. He also clarified that US had no formula for resolving the Kashmir problem and it had no intention to mediate unless asked by both India and Pakistan. About a possible solution he said it should be sought by peaceful negotiations as provided in Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan.

• The senior Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Gilani reacted strongly to Mr. Wisner's suggestions. He said "The Ambassador's statement has hurt the sentiments of the people of Kashmir". According to him the US also was guided mainly by its national and trade interests. Continuing he said "In any case the contradiction is clear. On one hand the US says that there is no change in its stand in Kashmir dispute. On the other hand it expresses itself in favour of elections".

This disenchantment with Mr. Wisner has continued since. In the meantime the Hurriyat Conference pleaded for US mediation in Kashmir. Two of its representatives, Jalil Ahmed Andrabi and Ghulam Mohammed Bhat who were in USA met Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Gib Lanford and two Congressmen, Dan Burton and Dana Rohrabacker in September 1995.

Mr. Wisner seemed to be unfolding some shifts in US policies towards the Indian sub-continent. He went to Pakistan in July 1996, to address a meeting of senior officers of Pakistan Army. He spoke to them at Quetta on July 10 where he told them to adopt a more pragmatic view of the Kashmir situation and all assistance to Kashmiri militants should be stopped. Consequently, Hurriyat attitude also changed. When Mr. Wisner visited Kashmir after his visit to Pakistan Hurriyat leaders refused to meet him. When one of its leaders, Shabir Ahmed Shah decided to defy the ban and visited Mr. Wisner for a long meeting. Shah was asked to render an explanation. When he refused to oblige. Shah was suspended from Hurriyat membership. The Hurriyat seemed to have entered a "cold era" of its attitude towards US Government.

The Hurriyat got a jolt when four former militant leaders Babbar Badr, Bilal Lodhi, Imran Rahi and Ghulam Mohidin Lone opted for a dialogue with New Delhi. In Srinagar at a Press Conference on February 6,1996, the four leaders accused the Hurriyat Conference of having failed people of Kashmir. They accused Hurriyat leaders of being involved in conspiracy against militancy, engineering internecine fighting for petty personal interests, spending money lavishly on unproductive things and miserably failing in scoring n single point on the political front. The

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statement released said "the APHC lacked initiative and it restricted itself to staging dramas to get maximum media attention or resorted to the only other option of caning for strikes". According to it "the APHC has failed in responding to every emergency that erupted here. The hartal is the lone weapon in APHC arsenal which has brought havoc to the Kashmir economy and has made the position of APHC ridiculous". The statement described the Hurriyat leaders as self-centred and said "they always practiced escapism. Instead of political vision these people were lured by leisurely lifestyles. They have acquired 5-star culture and move in fancy cars. kv the process they have lost the peoples' mandate". People in general viewed this as a first major revolt against the Hurriyat Conference.

The APHC Executive decided to have an extraordinary meeting to formulate its plan for fire-fighting operations. After the meeting on February 10, 1996, the APHC called upon its constituents to "rid themselves of elements who are bent upon to sabotage the ongoing freedom movement". The statement released to press after the meeting reiterated its stand on Kashmir and said that "a solution to the lingering Kashmir problem lies in the grant of right of self-determination to the people of Kashmir. If other ways to resolve the issue were found then participation of India, Pakistan and people of Kashmir was absolutely necessary".

The APHC also gave a call for observance of Friday, February 11, 1996 as 'Martyrs Day' to coincide with the death anniversary of Maqbool Butt. In a statement it said that on that day "the sacrifices of all those who laid down their lives in the cause of azaadi since 1931 will be remembered and people will reaffirm their pledge to continue with the struggle till the ultimate goal is achieved". The APHC urged upon the Imams and Khatibs of all mosques to "take oath from the people that their struggle for azaadi and Islam will continue despite all odds from the occupation forces".

The Hurriyat Conference got a setbak in Jammu region on February 27, 1996 when fourteen important activists of Moslem Janbaz Force decided to dissociate from APHC and support their former Chief, Babbar Badr in giving up the gun for a dialogue with the Central Government.

In the meantime, the Union Government decided to hold a meeting in New Delhi with 9 leaders of different militant groups who had given up the gun for dialogue. It also invited the Hurriyat leaders to join the meeting. The APHC however decided to reject Union Minister S.B, Chavan's invitation.

The APHC General Council meeting was held on March 16,1996 at which it was alleged that Indian Government was "terrorising the Hurriyat leadership to face it to make a new accord with it on the pattern


of 1952 or 1975 accords. It's Chairman Moulvi Umar Farooq said the Government was mistaken if they think "we will surrender". He alleged that in concert with Government the Indian mass media and the intelligence agencies had launched a disinformation campaign against (

the'Kashmiri leadership with the intention to defame them and cause doubts in the minds of the people".

• While die APHC was blaming New Delhi for its woes, the JKLF (Shabir Siddiqui faction) was busy blaming APHC of "failure to represent the aspirations of people because it was itself a divided house". Shabir Ahmed Siddiqui told the press on March 18, 1996 that "Hurriyat Conference did not represent the people of Kashmir and it should involve ' other militant and political outfits to chalk out a future strategy and a broad-based forum to fulfill the dreams of the people of Kashmir".

Following the attempt of the JKLF (Siddiqui) group to send in armed militants into Hazratbal Shrine in the third week of March, which resulted in the death of a number of their activists, including its leader Shabir Ahmed Siddiqui, the Indian Government decided to deploy elite National Security Guards personnel in Kashmir for security and protection of 4 selected shrines and some religious places. The Hurriyat Conference felt very upset and vehemently opposed the move describing it as "brazen interference in our religious matters". The APHC Chairman told a press conference on April 1,996 that this was motivated to "wrest control of some important stage-centres from us". He asserted that the "protection of these places is primary concern of devotees and lawful custodians like Waqf Trusts".

The talk of holding of talks in Jammu & Kashmir was dominating the political scene and the APHC was somewhat worried about its consequences. The APHC spokesman Prof. Abdul Ghani fired the first salvo from the Jama Masjid before Friday prayers on April 5,1996. He declared that Hurriyat "consider election process as a gamble which will most probably shed the blood of the people of Jammu & Kashmir". He dismissed this as a "game plan which is aimed at dividing the people of Kashmir with an ulterior motive to break us". Since the Government has not been "able to kill us with bullets directly, they have not been able to break our nerves, particularly, they want us to fight between ourselves now". He said APHC was prepared for "an open referendum against Hurriyat Conference stand. I dare anyone to share the stage with us anywhere in Kashmir".

The same day Prof. Ghani announced that Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq had been chosen as Chairman of APHC and he (Prof. Ghani) as spokesman for another term of two years. He also announced a decision of far reaching importance that General Council had asked APHC constituents to. "suspend their organisational activities till our goal is

Teams & Turf 87

achieved. Everything will flow down from APHC. We will open APHC units in every tehsil and District".

The Hurriyat Conference decided to send a delegation to Geneva to participate in the Conference of the UN Human Rights Commission in March 1996. Its two members Dr. Hamida Abdul Majid Bandey and Mumtaz Ahmed Wani (Secretary of Kashmir Bar Association) met members oi delegations and NGOs from various foreign countries and gave them the Hurriyat point of view of Kashmir situation. Later they visited UK for the same purpose.

The APHC decided to "protest against government sponsored killings of innocents in Kashmir" by organising a march to the Army's Srinagar Headquarters on April 18,1996. The six leaders started their march from Lai Chowk areas and walked about V/z kms carrying banners reading "Quit Kashmir" and "Indian Army Go Back". The slogans they raised "Bharat Zalim Faujio, Yehan se Chaley Jao"- Indian oppressor soldiers should leave this place. The police took them into "protective custody for they were trying to march into restricted area "and there was apprehension of breach of peace. Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Moulvi Abbas Ansari, Abdul Ghani Lone, Shabir Ahmed Shah, Mohd. Yasin Malik and Prof. Abdul Ghani were arrested and released a few hours later.

Atmosphere in Kashmir towards end of April was thick with reports r

of early elections in Jammu and Kashmir. The APHC decided to give a. * boycott call even before the elections were announced. They seized the", opportunity of Eid congregation to make the announcement. On April 29, to a very large congregation in Edgah in Srinagar, APHC Chairman Mirwaiz Moulvi Umar Farooq asked the people of Kashmir to boycott the forthcoming polls on the plea that "there was no substitute for the \. right of self-determination". He also called upon the Government employees "not to associate themselves with the process so as to express their solidarity with oppressed people of Kashmir".

The Hurriyat Conference set up a Central Office in a posh residential colony of Raj Bagh in Srinagar. It was well furnished and properly equipped modern office. On May 2,1996 a part of the second storey of the building was damaged due to a fire. While the government said it seemed to be accidental, the party activists suspected foul play. The APHC spokesman Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat said "these things will not deter the Hurriyat Conference to continue the struggle".

The Hurriyat Conference had already given a call to people to boycott the polls for elections for 6 Parliamentary Constituencies. On the eve of the first phase-of polling on May 7, 1996, APHC renewed its call for boycott. It also called for a total strike. It alleged that at some pl.ices government had used force to get closed shops opened. One of its leaders


Yasin Malik said "Government in forcing Kashmiri employees to take part in election duty and the employees leaders have gone into hiding to save themselves from the wrath of the Government".

Next day the Hurriyat leaders launched their boycott campaign against elections from Sopore. The seven leaders went from door to door to ask people not to participate in elections. Shabir Ahmed Shah told them "there will be threats and attempts will be made by the security forces to force you to join these farcial elections, but you must resist it to the last extent". Syed AH Shah Gilani told them that the Indian authorities want to hoodwink the global opinion about Kashmir by holding these elections which do not have any credibility at all. Other leaders who went around were Abdul Ghani Lone, Prof. Abdul Ghani, Yasin Malik and Javed Ahmed Mir.

Next day the six leaders went to Bommai village to continue their campaign. There they were confronted by a handful of activists of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon (Kukha Paray outfit) who objected to Hurriyat campaign. An altercation followed in which a couple of shots were fired by Ikhwan activists which was re turned by police personnel accompanying Hurriyat leaders. On return to Srinagar the APHC leaders told the press that two attempts had been "made to eliminate us". The role of Hurriyat leaders in Sopore area in the boycott campaign was criticised by a senior separatist leader Nayeem Ahmed Khan (Peoples League). He told the press that APHC leaders were not coming upto the aspirations of the people.

On May 11,1996, first anniversary of the Charar-I-Sharief tragedy, the Hurriyat leaders went to the Charar town to participate in the foundation stone laying ceremony of the burnt down shrine. On the 30 kms stretch of Srinagar-Charar road two separate land mines went off but no one was injured. The Hurriyat Chairman Moulvi Umar Farooq could not leave Srinagar because of curfew in parts of Srinagar. From his residence he told press that APHC did appreciate the Government announcement the previous day that the Government will rebuild the Sheikh's Shrine and the entire gutted town. He said the announcement "adds insult to injury of people of Kashmir in particular and the Islamic world in general". He declared that reconstruction would be undertaken by the people themselves. He announced setting up of a "Hurriyat Alamdar" Fund and appealed to the people in the Valley and also to Kashmiris living in foreign countries to donate for the Fund- It is learnt that in the first few weeks large amounts were received.

In the month of May all three phases of Parliamentary elections were Completed despite the boycott call of the Hurriyat Conference. There was no major law and order problem. The percentage of poll was oyer 46% nil over which en mo ns a surprise to APHC. About their predicament

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the State Government Chief Secretary Ashok Kumar on May 25 said "the All Party Hurriyat Conference is a divided house and is in a very bad condition. It's leadership can't stand on its two legs. There is no idealism in them, no guts, they are not people who are prepared to -sacrifice. The election is one more nail in the coffin of militancy or the Hurriyat's movement in State".

Although some reports had been circulated about APHC having received large amounts of money as donation from the Saudi Government, the reports got some credence on June 22,1996 when former Cftier* Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah publicly alleged that Hurriyat Conference had received Rs 85 crores from Saudi Government, for rehabilitation of the fire-ravaged Charar-I-Sharief. The APHC did not

1 react till three weeks later when on July 12, Abdul Ghani Lone denied that APHC had received this big sum from Saudi Arabia.

Earlier in February 1996 the Central Government had issued to few Hurriyat leaders notices under the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act 1976, to furnish details of money and other donations received since January 1,1990. It is not known if any replies have been sent to New Delhi.

The Hurriyat Conference usually is indifferent to political developments in the rest of the country and happenings in .different ' ' States. But on July 26,1996 it reacted very strongly to the ban imposed"" on People's War Group (PWG) by the Andhra Pradesh Government a r few days earlier. An APHC spokesman described it as against the ' democratic norms. He said that only previous month the ban had been lifted but it seems "reimposed after PWG had publicly supported our demand for right of self-determination". He disclosed that PWG had invited Hurriyat leaders to Hyderabad where they participated in some seminars and rallies organised by PWG. He said the ban was "unwanted and unwarranted".

With elections to Legislative Assembly being proposed to be held soon, the Governor, Gen. K. V. Krishna Rao asked the Hurriyat Conference to participate in elections and prove its representative character. The senior leaders of the APHC on July 12,1996 rejected the proposed political process. Moulvi Umar Farooq told the congregational gathering in Srinagar's Jama Masjid that "ongoing struggle is not aimed to get the internal autonomy, but the right to decide about our own future".' A resolution was read out by him which asked for tripartite talks for "lasting and durable solution to the crisis". Syed AH Shah Gilani, Abdul Ghani Lone, Prof. Abdul Ghani, Moulvi Abbas Ans'ari also spoke in favour of-the resolution. Shabir Ahmed Shah however said that he was against making political speeches in mosques. He further said "let us accept realities. This is not the time of playing with the emotions of people by

90 Kashmir- Underground

speeches". He alleged that a number oi agencies were working overtime to divide the unity of Kashmir's political leadership.

Six days later two APHC leaders Gilani and Lone announced that Hurriyat would be prepared to participate in elections "provided they are held under the supervision of the United Nations". They said that first thing that they would do after winning a majority in UN supervised polls, would be to adopt a resolution in the assembly to nullify the State's accession to India.

The OIC's Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir was to hold its Ministerial meeting at Islamabad in Pakistan on August 13,1996. The Hurriyat Conference deputed a 3-man delegation to interact with them on the invitation of OIC Secretary General Hamid Al Gabid. Besides its-leader Moulvi Mohd. Abbas Ansari, other members were Firdous Asmi and Abdul Latif Bhat. The OIC meeting was inaugurated by Pakistan Prime Minister, Ms. Benazir Bhutto. The Kashmir delegation had

• meetings with Pakistani leaders as also with Foreign Ministers oi Guinea, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan. The delegation members were reported to have presented a "graphic picture of Indian excesses and deteriorating situation in Kashmir". New Delhi allowed the visit as part of its policy of transparency on Kashmir, but considered the presence of APHC delegation to Islamabad for OIC as "anti-national activity".

While one group of APHC was in Pakistan giving vent to its anti-India feeling, another group was in Delhi to demand withdrawal of Indian troops. On the Independence Day, about 25 activists led by Syed Ali Shah Gilani were marching to Boat Club on Rajpath in New Delhi to hold a protest meeting against holding of elections in Kashmir. On the way they allegedly were stopping traffic to demand withdrawal of armed forces from Jammu & Kashmir. The police advised them to hold a protest meeting near Jantar Mantar since meetings near Boat Club had been prohibited, Theysat down onRafiMarg and police removed themfrom there to ensure free flow of traffic.

Back home in Srinagar the APHC Executive Committee suspended Shabir Ahmed Shah from its membership "for indiscipline". On August 17, 1996 APHC Chairman Moulvi Umar Farooq told Press that Shah had defied Hurriyat decision not to meet American Ambassador Frank Wisner on his recent visit to Kashmir. On Hurriyat reluctance to extend its activities to two other regions of the State - Ladakh and Jammu -Farooq said they were afraid that may lead to communal tension.

The Hurriyat Conference not content with the response to its boycott poll not to participate in Assembly Elections, called for a two-day stike in Kashmir Valley from September 6,1996 for the first phase of polling scheduled from September 7. The polling was held and Government

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claimed over 50% voting. The APHC disputed the claim and said "it is a cooked story". After the third phase of polling concluded on September 21, the APHC called it"an army operation". It claimed Hurriyat boycott was successful but government forced people to come out and cast their votes.

For the Parliamentary elections in 1998 the APHC again decided upon its boycott. JKLF President Mohd. Yasin Malik said elections under the Indian Constitution were no solution to Kashmir problem. From January 2,1998 the organisation launched its anti-election campaign with a series of meetings held in different towns of Kashmir Valley.

A month later the Union Home Secretary at Jammu said that APHC leaders and others who asked people not to participate in elections could be prosecuted for obstructing electoral process. The Kashmir Government in Legislative Assembly elections in September 1996 had also arrested Shabir Shah Gilani, Abdul Ghani Lone and Mohd. Yasin Malik, Javed Mir and Shakeel Bakshi for anti-poll campaign. Once released they restarted their campaign. Three of them including Yasin Malik. Moulvi Abbas Ansari were arrested in Doda later in September. After Farooq Government took over office on October 9, 1996 Gilani, Malik, Shabir Shah, Abdul Ghani Lone, Javed Mir were released.

In the next few months Hurriyat leaders were not able to create any major problem for Farooq Government and the impression grew that i t . -had lost whatever relevance it had gained in Kashmir. Chief Minister t Dr. Farooq described it as "Hartali Conference" because now it confined its activities to give calls for strike. Delhi's political circles tallced of it as "Kashmir's Fund Raising Conference" because alleged involvement in Hawala transactions of some of its leaders.

The Hurriyat leadership seized every opportunity of meeting visiting . diplomats or flying to Delhi to meet any visiting foreign dignitary. In June 1997, a delegation of diplomats of European Union countries came to Kashmir to study the situation. They were led by Mr. Geevar, Head of the European Commission and included Gastano Zucconi, Ambassador of Italy; James Flavin, Irish Ambassador; H.J. Jeovissetf, Ambassador of Netherlands; Sarah Tiffins, Political Secretary of UK High Commission and B. Van Loosdrecht, First Secretary in Netherlands Embassy. On June 11,1997 Hurriyat Conference delegation led by its Chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq had a two-hour long meeting. Hurriyat leaders described the Kashmir issues as a "major threat to global peace, especially in South Asia". The delegation sought the intervention of European Union in resolving the tangle. They also alleged that following the installation of Farooq Government, the situation has further deteriorated. "People are being killed, women molested and raped, and property is being destroyed at the will and command of the Security


Forces" alleged Hurriyat. When asked to provide documentary evidence, they promised to forward it later.

Pakistan's Foreign Secretary Shamshed Ahmed was in New Delhi in September 1997 for Secretary-level Indo-Pak talks. A 4-member delegation of Hurriyat Conference led by its Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq went to meet him. On September 15,1997 the delegation had a long meeting with him. According to Hurriyat spokesman Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat, the delegation impressed on the Pakistan official for an urgent need to solve the Kashmir problem. Pakistani Foreign Secretary was reported to have told the Hurriyat delegation that Pakistan would try its best to find a permanent solution of this problem. A day earlier, the delegation also met the Pakistan Information Minister, Mushahid Hussain, who was visiting New Delhi. Since he is a close confidante of Pakistan's Prime Minister, the delegation reportedly received Pakistan's assurance of continued support.

Hurriyat Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq at Delhi was reported in the Press to have said that he was ready for "unconditional talks with Delhi". The Pakistani leaders disapproved of this policy announcement and Hurriyat leadership hurriedly countered by alleging that Omar Farooq was not quoted correctly. It pointed clearly to Pakistan's opposition to any direct dialogue between the Indian Government and the secessionist leaders of Kashmir.

Soon after the US Administration had declared Harkat-ul-Ansar as a terrorist outfit, the Hurriyat leaders met senior American diplomats visiting Srinagar and protested against it. They were assured that Clinton Administration had presently no intention of adding JKLF to the list of terrorist outfits. Hurriyat leaders under Syed Ali Shah Gilani complained about the alleged atrocities committed by the Security Forces in Kashmir.

US Secretary of State, Madelline Albright, came to Delhi in the third week of November 1997 during her tour of some parts of Asia. A Hurriyat delegation sought an interview with her. US Embassy instead asked it to hand over a Memorandum for her. The memorandum asked US to take initiative for a peaceful and permanent settlement of the Kashmir problem. The Hurriyat Memorandum said nothing short of tripartite negotiations for an agreed solution between India, Pakistan and the "legitimate representatives" of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, would be acceptable to them. The Hurriyat delegation returned without any response. The next couple of months they kept waiting but international response was not encouraging from its point of view.

In February 1998 APHC decided to depute its Chairman, Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq to New Delhi to meet some selected Ambassadors to inform them ot' the "real situation in Kashmir" and alleged atrocities

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of/the Indian Forces. In mid-February Omar Farooq called on Ambassadors of Malaysia, Indonesia, Norway and Turkey,

The-OIC 8lh Annual Summit was scheduled to be held at Tehran from December 9,1997. The APHC had been invited as Observer. The Hurriyat decided to send a four member delegation under the leadership of its Chairman, Moulvi Omar Farooq. APHC claimed that Iran had issued visas to the delegation members. However, Indian Government decided not to allow the Hurriyat leaders to leave the country, because Pakistan was reported to have decided to table two resolutions on Kashmir and to use Hurriyat leaders to gather support from member states.

The OIC Ministerial Conference was to be held at Doha (Qatar) from March 15,1998. The APHC was invited to attend as Observer. The Indian Government refused permission to the delegation members to leave the country.

The Hurriyat Conference calls for Bandh - closure of business and transport services - on any pretext. Success of bandhs is not construed as a measure of support it commands, but it is taken as acquisance of general public to protect themselves from the ire of various outfits and to ensure that their property is safe. Hurriyat gave calls for total strike on May 12,1997 the day Civil Secretariat offices reopened in Srinagar for summers; on October 19,1997 on the official visit to Srinagar of Indian Prime Minister Mr I.K. Gujral; on October 27,1997 being golden jubilee of landing of Indian ftoops in Kashmir; on November 15,1997 on visit of Indian President Mr. K.R. Narayanan to address the Kashmir University Convocation.

In November 1997 the Hurriyat Conference, in one fortnight took out protests in different parts of Srinagar against alleged excesses by the State Government and its Police force of SOG. To break the protestors meetings their activists were arrested, taken away and lodged in some police station. Later they were released. For the first time in 8 years of insurgency the separatist leaders arrested in Srinagar Civil Lines were produced before an Executive Magistrate who sent them for detention to Rangret-Sub-Jail on November 13,1997.

The APHC decided to stage protest meetings against "gross violation of human rights in Kashmir" from June 1997. While announcing this decision senior Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone told Press on May 22 that the campaign is "aimed at raising the morale of the people and give them the confidence to come out against reign to terror". He said they would tour not only parts of Kashmir, but also all over India and inform people about the real situation. Later some of their leaders visited Delhi and Calcutta.


The Hurriyat Conference considers itself as the representative movement organisation of all Kashmiris. As such it has always been against attempt of any group wanting to have a dialogue with Delhi. They opposed the bilateral talks proposed by former militant leaders who gave up gun earlier. Hurriyat Conference organised three rallies in the Valley in February 1996. They wanted to mobilise public opinion against the talks even when it accepted the importance of dialogue for peaceful resolution of the differences.

A year later they reacted strongly to a suggestion of direct talk with Delhi made by Hurriyat Chairman and he was made to say that he had been misquoted by the Press.

Even in March 1998, the APHC Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq said "The APHC is ready to talk with any Government provided the disputed nature of Kashmir is accepted by them".

The antipathy of APHC towards the elected Government headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah has been there not only from the day it assumed office in October 1996, but from the day Hurriyat Conference came into existence. Dr. Abdullah in the past has been the severest critic of Hurriyat leaders. The day Farooq Government assumed office, the APHC Acting Chairman Ghulam Mohd. Sumji called it an "extension, instrumentality and illegitimate brainchild of India neo-imperialists". He told the Press on October 9,1996 that "people of Jammu & Kashmir have neither given any credance to it nor will they cooperate with the thrusted regime". Using strong language he described the elected legislators "traditional traitors, brokers of national honour".

Soon after assuming office, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah made an offer of talks to "end the misery of people". The Hurriyat leaders while addressing a Friday congregation in Jamia Masjid, Srmagar of October 11, 1996, rejected Farooq's offer saying that since they had rejected the recent elections so there "is no question of holding talks with him. Farooq Abdullah is no authority with whom talks can be held". The Chief Minister retaliated by describing the APHC as "anti-national and enemies of people". He also held them responsible for the widespread destruction and loss of life during the last seven years of strife and mayhem. He even asked them to leave Kashmir and go to Pakistan as "their dreams of Azadi as well as merger with Pakistan are not going to be fulfilled either in their life or after they die". He told the Legislative assembly in October 1996 that "on gun point he is not going to hold talks with enemies of the people who enjoy every facility in India but continue to swear by Pakistan".

Not had the Hurriyat Conference always condemned killing of innocent persons by armed militants. The API 1C Chairman Mirwai/ Moulvi Omar Farooq condemned the massacres at Wand ha mn on

Teams & Turf 95

January 25,1998 and one at Marwah in Doda a week later. He told Press on February 3 that Wandhama massacre was "dastardly, inhuman and a terrorist act". He however accused the Government of being unsympathetic to victims at Marwah. He said since the crime was similar in both, both needed equal condemnation. Another leader, Syed Ali Shah Gilani, said response of Indian establishment towards the developments in Kashmir were "purely colonial and communal".

The Muslim Auqa/Trust had been established by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah in the Forties and looked after and administered all major Shrines, mosques and other properties in Kashmir Valley. He was made President for life. Following his death, Dr. Farooq Abdullah more in his capacity as President of the National Conference, was made a lifelong Trustee and its Chairman. The MAT looked after the Shrines of Hazratbal, Charar-I-Sharief and numerous Sub-Auqafsbesidesrealestate of nearly Rs 100 crores. The MAT had members mostly individuals close to the Sheikh family or members of the National Conference.

With spurt of militancy in 1990 the secessionist elements had taken control first of different shrines and then also of the administration of the Trust. On July 15,1994 the Deed of the Trust was got amended as per its rules. On January 20,1996, the new Deed was endorsed by Trust's general body which consisted of representatives of all Sub-Auqafs of , the Valley. Dr. Abdullah was "thrown out because of his absence from/f Kashmir since 1990 leaving the Trust unattended". Though Hurriyat. Conference did not have anything directly to do with it, the MAT had -• fheir ""protection and patronage'". Mr. Ghufam Qacftr Drabu was its Chairman. With activisation of National Conference and its Government^ headed by Dr. Farooq Abdullah being in office since October 1996 it was a question of time when MAT would return to its fold. On July 7,1997 the Muslim Auqaf Trust reverted to the old regime. '

The Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone alleged that Ghulam Qadir Drabu was "forced to resign" as Chairman and further alleged that MAT Secretary Sheikh Abdul Rashid was detained by police to "enable take over". The APHC described the take over by Dr. Farooq Abdullah as illegal, unethical and unjustified". Addressing the Press on July 9,1997 at APHC headquarters Lone, Moulvi Ansari and Javed Mir described the take over as "great tragedy for Moslems of Kashmir" and alleged that it was part of "concerted conspiracies by Government of India to prevent the people from continuing with their Islamic identity".

Hurriyat Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq had been sent abroad to present "real picture of Kashmir". Alongwith two others he attended the OIC Summit held in Casablanca (Morocco) in October 1994 as an observer. Second delegation was sent to Islamabad in May 1996 to OIC Contact Group on Kashmir meeting. Moulvi Omar Farooq and Firdaus


Asmi were sent to New York in September 1996 to participate in OIC Foreign Ministers meeting on October 2. While in US Omar Farooq met with some likeminded persons and sympathisers" and later issued what came to be known as "Washington Declaration" which renounced the option,of Independence. The delegation also submitted Memorandum to United Nation which demanded right to accede either to Pakistan or to India.

This stand of Hurriyat Conference was severely criticised by JKLF, Kashmir International Front and Jammu &Kashmir National Liberation Front. JKLF Chairman Amanullah Khan, in a statement in London on October 13,1996, said by renouncing option of Independence, Hurriyat Conference had "lost any claims to represent people of the State". "The Hurriyat have now come out with its true colours of being puppets, stooges or mercenaries of others and left with no right to claim it represented the wishes and aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir", he added.

Tahir Afzal of Kashmir International Front said "By bartering away the aspirations and wishes of the people of Jammu & Kashmir, the APHC stood exposed as playing to the tune of its masters in Islamabad". He further said "Hurriyat never stood for United Kashmir or Independent Kashmir. Their policy is only to maintain politics of conflict and confrontation to play the agenda set by their masters, the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence(ISI)".

Chaudhury Mushtaq Hussain, Convenor of Jammu &Kashmir National Liberation Front (JKNLF) described the Hurriyat as a "major shift which does not echo the voice of the people of Jammu &Kashmir on both sides of the border". Decrying Hurriyat claim he said "Hurriyat is only confined to Kashmir Valley and cannot claim to speak for the whole undivided State".

The differences between hardliners in Hurriayt Conference and other separatists, had been widening, for many months. It was Ikhwan-I-Musalmoon, J&K Ikhwan, Tehrik-I-Wattan, Azam Inquilabi and many others including Babbar Badr, then it was the turn of Shabir Ahmed Shah of Peoples' League. He had not seen eye to eye with Hurriyat leadership on various issues. He had defied their direction to him not to meet US Ambassador Wisner when he visited Srinagar in summer of 1996. He was asked to explain and on his refusal he was suspended from APHC. The situation was allowed to drift but when danger of this infection spreading stared the Hurriyat in its face it had to take the decision to expel him. In the middle of September 1997, the matter was discussed at length at APHC Executive and finally Shah was thrown out. It created no ripples.

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It was no longer a secret that Omar Farooq had not come up to the expectations of the hardliners in the Hurriyat Conference. His trips abroad were not to their liking and in muted criticism he was even described as an "Indian agents who is playing in the hands of New Delhi". Like previous years in September 1997 he was due to fly to New York to be there to lobby in UN during General Assembly meeting. It was known all over Srinagar that Abdul Ghani Lone and Mohd. Yasin Malik opposed his New York visit therefore he was forced to call it off. Lone and Malik in this tirade were supported by 5 other members of the Executive Committee and were members of the Shoura-e-Jehad as well.

The heat kept on building but the Hurriyat hardliners decided not to force the pace of events. They decided to wait for normal election of new Chairman due in April 1998. The meeting of the Executive Committee was convened on April 22. Two days later Moulvi Omar Farooq told Press that Syed Ali Shah Gilani had emerged as the "consensus candidate" for Chairmanship at the meeting attended by six members only representing 27 constituent groups. Gilani became Chairman of APHC for the next 2 years. Moulvi Omar Farooq pledged his full support. The Executive Committee adopted a resolution deciding to "continue its relentless fight to liberate the State from India". Gilani said he knew this was not an easy task but "with mercy of Allah and the cooperation of the Executive members and other constituents of the Conference - Bar Associations, traders federations and employees unions - 1 hope to do my duty. Ultimately, the truth triumphs, not might".

Moulvi Omar Farooq was made Head of the External Affairs section which was charged to look after diplomatic interaction within and outside India. Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat (Moslem Conference) would continue to be the Chief Spokesman. Abdul Majid Bandey was sent to Delhi to replace Firdous Asmi, as Head of the Awareness Bureau, there.

All the same, the Hurriyat Conference seemed to stand at the crossroads. Gilani's reputation as a hardliner and totally committed to pro-Pak politics would either isolate it from moderate and pro-Independence elements or become stridently anti-Indian organisation. Moulvi Omar Farooq was now expected to pay full attention of his own Awami Action Committee so that it becomes a strong political organisation and make it the principal regional opposition party. At the very first occasion he demonstrated his popularity and support he had in Srinagar on the 8lh death anniversay of Mirwaiz Mohd. Farooq. The procession taken out from Mirwaiz Manzil to Iddgah and the meeting were impressive in the present political atmosphere in Srinagar.

Director General of Police, Mr. Gurbachan Jagat in early November I9C)7 said that instead of carrying on any political activity Hurriyat Conference was "merely making frivolous changes against the local


police" by alleging custodial deaths the APHC was quick to react strongly At a Press Conference on November 4,1997 Hurnyat leaders presented list of 12 names of youth who were allegedly killed in custody They demanded a high-level judicial probe into these deaths Abdul Ghani Lone said it judicial probe proved their allegations wrong "we will publicly apologise for it".

About Hurnyat strike calls, Lone said since Government had already banned all forms of agitations, strike is the only means "available to us to register the protests against any injustices inflicted on the people of Kashmir".

The Defence Minister in Vajpayee Government Mr. George Fernandes paid a short visit to Kashmir in April 1998. He advocated unconditional talks with militants though later this offer was modified The Hurnyat leadership waited for a positive indication from Delhi but what came was a declaration in the Lok Sabha (Parliament) on June 2, 1998 by the Indian Home Minister, Mr. L K Advani that "Centre has not initiated any move for talks with the Hurnyat leaders".

About this time Kashmir was agog with the aftermath of nuclear tests in May 1998 by Pakistan and the meetings of P-5 in Geneva, G-8 in Birmingham and UN Security Council besides the strident stand on Kashmir taken by US Administration.

The Hurnyat Chairman Syed Ah Shah Gilani about the tests said "these mark beginning of a race and instead of enforcing sanctions against India and Pakistan, the international community should force them to solve the Kashmir problem so that an atomic war in South Asia, is averted".

The Huniyat appealed for total strike m Kashmir towns on June 4, 1998 to coincide with the P-5 meeting in Geneva in order to attract their attention to Kashmir and asked P-5 to seek a "permanent settlement of the Kashmir issue". Gilani said unless the "representatives of Kashmir are involved in the negotiations these will be purposeless" He further said "whenever there was international pressure. New Delhi agreed to go for bilateral talks but when these were held, New Delhi made these exercises purposeless by repeating that Kashmir is an integral part of India".

The APHC Chairman conveyed Hurnyat's wholehearted support to UN Secretary General and P-5 and G-8 leaders for their efforts to "find an acceptable, honourable and durable settlement fo me Kashmir dispute in the interest ot international peace" The letter which was taxed on |uiu.»\ 1998 homSnnagar said, "nuclear explosions earned out recently by India and in response to that b\ Pakistan, have sel in motion a dangerous arms race in South Asia Insensihvilv could end up m an •itomn holomust Ilowwi-r, it i*. gr.itilving thai that the permanent

Teams & Turf 99

members of Security Council and the G-8 member nations in pursuance for the urge for peace, have imaginatively taken on the responsibility to address the most sensitive and vexed problem of Kashmir. The problem, linked as it is explicitly inseparably with the nuclear weaponisation in India and Pakistan, constitute a potential threat to peace and security in the region and perhaps, beyond too. Peace can never come in a vacuum. The problem will have to go first. If the CTBT and the global disarmament is to be translated into a reality, the Kashmir dispute as a stumbling block will have to be resolved first".

In an interview to a New Delhi English daily on June 16,1998 he said it is clear now that the world had realised that Kashmir was the root cause of tension between India and Pakistan. He claimed that history of past 50 years bears testimony to the failure of the bilateral approach. About failure of any foreign country supporting the Hurriyat stand he said "we are realistic that on global level no country can openly support us. Every country has their own interests to guard in international diplomacy".

When asked if Hurriyat had any control over militants, he said categorically "APHC is a political platform. Our youth are not with India and they have picked up arms against it. We are not in a position to stop the use or misuse of the gun. There is no rapport between the APHC and the gunmen". Looking into the future he said "in twenty A years from now Kashmir will be out of the clutches of India - it will be a J[ * free land or part of Pakistan".

A few days earlier at a public meeting at Handwara, Gilani had justified use of the gun in Kashmir. On May 15, he said "we have always pleaded through peaceful means but when it was H escribed as cowardice, there was no option but to resort to the gun. Gun was thrust on the people of Kashmir".

The Hurriyat was in the process of reorienting its thinking when the nuclear tests in the sub-continent made them reconsider their strategy. It was evident at a Seminar held hi Srinagar on May 19,1998 which was dominated by APHC constituents and some intellectuals. The subject was "Kashmir Dispute - Past, Present and Future". Gilani termed Kashmir as the core issue between Pakistan and India. In this context he disagreed with India that what was being witnessed in Kashmir was a proxy war initiated by Pakistan. He declared, "It is freedom struggle launched by Kashmiris for achieving our inalienable right". The theme was picked up by Yasin Malik who observed "our past is replete with *-slavery iind accidents. We launched a freedom struggle in 1931 which became a victim in 1947. Again a movement was bunched in 1953 which culminated in a debacle of 1975 accord. And the present struggle U confused with electioneering process". Moulvi Dinar Kirooq, while


supporting the continuance of the struggle, lamented that intellectuals had kept away from the movement by and large. Prof. Bhat asserted that Kashmir "was a dispute, is a dispute and will continue to be a dispute until resolved". Moulvi Abbas Ansari asked Kashmiris to rely on their own strength and put punch in the struggle. He said depending on USA and other foreign countries would be futile.

A month later, another seminar on Kashmir was held in Srinagar. It was organised by J&K High Court Bar Association on June 19,1998 on "Kashmir Issue in the Changing Global Scenario - Impact of Nuclear Tests conducted by India and Pakistan on its Resolution". Speaking in the Seminar Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Hurriyat Chairman, said the tests had confirmed that Kashmir was an international issue. "The international resolutions are still valid and the recent discussion in UN Security Council testifies to it". JKLF Chairman Yasin Malik thanked P-5 and G-8 countries for taking interest in the solution of the Kashmir problem and appealed to them to ensure its solution without delay. Prof. Bhat thanked India for conducting the nuclear tests and pushing Kashmir to the top of international agenda. According to him "Our movement is now in the final stages and the coming days will be very crucial for Kashmiri people". JKLF leader Javed Mir felt the nuclear tests had given a new lease of life to the Kashmir issues in which international interest seemed to be waning.

The Seminar at the end adopted a couple of resolutions. One resolution sought the intervention of world community in solution of Kashmir problem. "In view of the failure of India and Pakistan to resolve the issue, it has become imperative for both the countries to accept third party mediation, particularly the UN. Both the countries should involve genuine representatives of the people of J&K in these negotiations", it said. By another resolution determination of the future status of Jammu & Kashmir State was sought "in accordance with the will of its people on the basis of universally recognised and governable principle of people's right of self-determination". It further said "it is an international problem observing international intervention".

About this time the Hurriyat Conference decided to step up political activity. On June 19, 1998 APHC Chairman Gilani declared that the time had come to launch "an organised struggle in view of the changing global scenario following the nuclearisation of the Indian sub-continent". The Hurriyat leadership seemed to have decided to turn on the heat on the ruling National Conference. It planned to hold public meetings all over the Valley. A big rally was planned to be held at Iqbal Park in 6rinagar for which it was to seek permission of the District Magistrate since processions and meetings were banned.

In the meantime the APHC staked its claim to be the real representatives of Kashmiri people. Addressing press on lune 29 at

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Srinagar, GUani said, "Unless Kashmiri people are given representation in the process of (Indo-Pak) dialogue, the problem will not be resolved". "There is dire need that Kashmiri people be involved in the dialogue. And only APHC can represent one crore, forty lakh Kashmiris", Gilani asserted.

A large group of Hurriyat supporters led by Mohd. Yasin Malik on July 10,1998 tried to make forced entry into the Hazratbal Shrine though ostensibly for prayers. The Administration fearing a repetition of 1993 hole-up, swung into action. The Police tried to disperse the crowd shouting pro-azaadi slogans. Having failed they resorted to lathi-charge. They arrested leaders of the demonstratous including Yasin Malik, Javed Mir, Dr. G.M. Hubbi, Mohd, Ashraf Sahrai and Shahid-ul-Islam. Later V members of Peoples'Conference were arrested. These included Nayeem Ahmed Khan and Mukhtar Ahmed Sofi.

July 13 every year is observed as Martyrs Day in Kashmir to mark the death anniversary of 21 persons who died in firing in 1931. Hurriyat Conference gave a call for total strike while ruling National Conference observed it with floral tributes being paid followed by fateh-khwani. Party President and Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah addressing the gathering there criticised Hurriyat leadership for arrogating to itself the role of sole representatives of people of Kashmir and in that capacity to take part in Indo-Pak talks on Kashmir, said that Hurriyat minus the gun was nothing. He wanted to know "Who the hell are you that we should talk to you people?"

The Hurriyat leadership had sought permission to hold a public meeting in Iqbal Park at Srinagar on July 18,1998. The District authorities had denied the permission fearing breach of peace. The Hurriyat leaders had threatened to violate the ban and reach the Iqbal Park. The Administration posted police contingents around the organisation's headquarters at Rajbagh and around residences of important leaders on the evening of July 17.

The APHC Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Gilani alleged to the Press on July 22 that Army soldiers had gang raped a young girl in Saf apor village near Manasbal. Three days later an Army spokesman termed it "totally false allegation". Before visiting mediapersons the supposed victim Razia Firdous was presented who denied the rape story. When confronted Gilani said he had not met the victim but he had been "reliably informed" on basis of which he had made the allegation.

The Human Rights sub-commission of UN was to meet at Geneva from August 3 for three weeks. The Hurriyat Conference deputed a two-member delegation to represent the "case of people of Kashmir". The two members Ghulam Nabi Shaheen (General Secretary of Kashmir Bar Association) and Ghulam Rasul Dar CJKLF) were prevented from


leaving New Delhi by air for Geneva on August 12, 1998. The Immigration authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport said they were not allowed to leave the country because their names figured in the Exit Control List.

Many POK leaders and some Kashmiri organisations abroad also questioned the representative character of Hurriyat leadership. Chairman of Kashmir Institute at London, Shabir Choudhury (former General Secretary of JKLF) said he did not agree with Guam's assertion that Kashmiris' struggle is for accession to Pakistan. "We are not fighting for accession to any country. We are all clear on this and there can be no compromise on this" he said. Chairman of JKLF (A) Amanullah Khan described the Hurriyat Conference as a creation of Pakistani authorities, who were propping it up for their own ends. Speaking at a meeting at Mirpur (POK) Amanullah quoted by Pakistani media there as dismissing the Hurriyat Conference as "totally non-representative with its leaders being self-styled" on August 14.

The Hurriyat conference urged the UN Security Council to take concrete steps for speedy resolution of Kashmir dispute. On August 22, 1998 this umbrella organisation of 17 separatist groups, sent a memorandum to the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

A furore was created when a senior leader of the Hurriyat Conference, Abdul Ghani Lone invited the Afghan Talibans to come to Kashmiris as foreign mercenaries. Many polical leaders took Lone to task for the invitation. Hashim Quereshi, Chairman of Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Liberation Party described it as shocking because Lone had forgotten that chapter of tragic history of Kashmiri's enslavement under Afghan oppression (Kashmir was under Afghan rule from 1753 to 1819 A.D.) Afzal Tahir, Chairman of POK Kashmir International Front said "You couldn't expect better from Hurriyat leaders". He further said "Pakistani mercenaries by their depravity and barbaric indiscriminate killings have already left deep wounds on Kashmiri people and, to top it, it appears Hurriyat leaders would like to invite Taliban bandits to sow killing fields in Kashmir".

Hurriyat Conference office at Jammu was closed by Police on September 4, it was alleged. This was reopened three days later when two Hurriyat leaders Yasin Malik and Abdul Ghani Lone visited the office. The Hurriyat Conference filed a writ petition in the State High Court on January 29, 1999. The petition claimed that APHC was a political organisation and was not "associated with any illegal activity entailing penal action". Demanding return of furniture and records missing from the office when police had closed the office, the petition said "the right to hold property is a fundamental right under the Constitution and the Police has no right to interference in its functioning".

Teams & Turf 103

Besides seeking return of its property and compensation, the petition also sought a direction to the authorities not to interfere in its functioning in Jammu. Political observers were surprised because Hurriyat leaders neither consider themselves Indians nor do they accept Indian Constitution but here they were claiming fundamental rights as Indian citizens.

In the past couple of years the rigorous application of militants diktats against liberal use of television, and putting up dish antennas to receive numerous channels, seemed to have been relaxed. Some fundamentalist outfits thought of reimposing the restrictions. In August-September 1998 a couple of outfits were believed to have got two grenades thrown on a cable-operator at Batamaloo in Srinagar. Most of cable-operators got scared and appealed to Hurriyat leadership to intervene for otherwise lacs of rupees invested by them would be sunk. The cable-operators decided to suspend service from September 11,1998. Their delegation met with Mr. Gilani who told them that Hurriyat was not against cable operators. He told them they should not project obscene postures. There were 40 cable operators in Srinagar with nearly 35,000 subsribers in 3 months. Nearly 6,000 pesons were dependent on this business, it was stated.

With the UN General Assembly meeting in New York towards end of September 1998, the Government of India decided to allow a Hurriyat delegation to go to New York. On September 22, from Delhi a 7-member delegation headed by former Hurriyat Chairman, Moulvi Omar Farooq, left for New York. At UN HQS members of the delegation met UN officials, representatives of countries which are members of the Security Council and representatives of OIC countries. They were reported to have pressed for inclusion of Kashmiri representation in Indo-Pak talks and also about alleged repression in Kashmir.

Here in Kashmir, some senior leaders of Hurriyat Conference on September 23 presented a memorandum to UN Military Observers Group office for being forwarded to UN General Secretary. The memorandum described the ongoing movement in Kashmir as "freedom struggle based on right of self determination," it urged UN to take active part in solving the dispute and "forcibly persuade India not to use its armed forces to crush the ongoing legitimate freedom struggle". Because the leaders defied the ban on processions and demonstration, 17 of then including Geelani, Malik, Prof. Ghani and Shahid-ulTslam were arrested. Next day they were released by a court on bail.

The Hurriyat Conference sent a delegation under Javed Mir to Jammu to visit various jails in the region and report on the condition in those jail. They visited jails at Kathua, Hiranagnr, Udhampur and Kot Bhal wnl


near Jammu. On return here, on October 12,1998 they said, basic facilities hi those jails were deficient.

The J&K Moslem League organised a seminar on "Freedom struggle and our Responsibilities" at Srinagar on October 24,1998. Addressing it, Hurriyat Chairman Geelani described the ongoing movement as "freedom struggle of Muslims which has its roots in Islam". He called upon New Delhi to accept the "reality of the two-nation theory as it will help solve many problems". Geelani refused to believe that creation of Bangladesh was failure of two national theory. According to him, "It was an international conspiracy and the leaders of West Pakistan were to be blamed for it". Yaseen Malik told the Seminar that secessionist leaders in early years of militancy had made many mistakes that "caused irreparable loss to the freedom struggle".

Lord Eric Avebury, Vice-Chairman of UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group paid a visit to Jammu & Kashmir in November 1998. He visited Jammu, Leh and Srinagar besides New Delhi. He met a large number of persons to apprise himself with the prevailing situation. His long meeting with Hurriyat leaders did not make much impact on him. Later, at Delhi on November 29,1998 he told Press that Hurriyat leaders are "expecting a big bang which is never going to come.

This well known "friend" of the secessionist leaders described the Hurriyat stand on Kashmir as "totally fantastic". He said, "If democracy has to function properly in Kashmir, all violence and threats of violence irrespective of their origin or target must come to an end. This includes the violence perpetrated by individuals from outside the State". The APHC turned down Avebury suggestion that Hurriyat should participate in the democratic process. The Hurriyat spokesman, Prof. Abdul Ghani Butt remarked, "Lord Avebury's kisses then never excited us and his bites now would not cause any pain to us". He said that the British Parliamentarian had got an award from Pakistan and now he wants one from India to balance his image.

To mark the 50lh anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Hurriyat leaders decided to stage a protest demonstration nt New Delhi on December 10, 1998. Nearly a hundred activists led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani staged a sit-in and went on a 48-hour token hunger strike near the ramparts of historic Red Fort. Geelani told the Press that human rights violations were linked to the Kashmir dispute. "If you address human rights violations but not the resolution of the basic disputes, you will be building castles in the air, which is impossible", he added.

The National Conference on the other hand criticised the APHC for being "self-styled champions of human rights while being agents of Pakistan". In a joint statement on December 11, 1998 NC committee of

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most affected areas of Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Gool-Arnas, Kishtwar, Doda and Udhampur alleged that Hurriyat activists were also harbouring armed militants. The statement called upon the world opinion to end terrorism in Jammu & Kashmir.

The Hurriyat Conference had earlier claimed the status of an observer at UN General Assembly. Now it asked its branch in Pakistan to secure support for this demand. A Hurriyat delegation led by its Convenor, Yousef Nassem on December 11, 1998 at Islamabad met Ms Benazir Bhutto, the Leader of Opposition. The APHC claimed that besides reiterating Pakistan People Party's unequivocal support for Kashmiri struggle she was all for APHC being given observer status by UN in the same way as Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) had been given this, years ago.

Early in new year 1999 a report emanating from Mirpur (POK) was published by widely circulated Pakistani Urdu daily "Jung" that Hurriyat Conference was being pursuaded by ISI to set up a "parallel government" in Kashmir Valley. This report was not contradicted by anyone. Instead, Hurriyat leaders are reported to have said "If the Dalai Lama managed to form Tibetan Government-in-Exile at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh, why can't we have a similar form of government in Kashmir". The Jung report appeared only days after Pakistan Prime Minister Mian^ Nawaz Sharief had told the Budget session of the Council of POK at i' Muzaffarabad that Pakistan Government would extend "all out support to the struggling people of Kashmir".

Hurriyat leadership had repeatedly said that they had nothing to do with gun-culture and had no direct link with underground outfits. The new Army Commander for Jammu & Kashmir, Lt. Gen. H. M. Khanna, a few weeks after assuming Command and familiarisation with the ground situation, addressing his first press conference at Jammu on February 3,1999 said, "APHC is, in fact, the parent organisation of the militants and pro-Pakistan elements active in the State. Militants and the APHC are two sides of the same coin and if one side, the militant side is washed out the coin is useless".

Following the submit meeting between Pakistani and Indian Prime Minister on February 21, 1999 a Lahore Declaration was issued jointly which committed the two countries to resolve all outstanding bilateral issues peacefully and through dialogue. The Hurriyat Conference rejected it out of hand. Its spokesman at Srinagar on February 23,1999 described it as "fruitless". He called the Lahore Declaration "a modified text of Simla Agreement. It will be forgotten like earlier Agreements and J&K people have to suffer in the future as they have done it in the past". The spokesman said the highlevel meeting of Hurriyat leaders decided that


nothing would come out of this Declaration unless Kashmiri representatives were not involved in the Indo-Pak talks.

Next day at Jammu, Hurriyat Chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani called the Lahore meeting "an exercise in futility". He maintained that everlasting solution to Kashmir problem can be found only when India and Pakistan make Kashmiris a party to any dialogue.

A group of Hurriyat leaders in early March 1998 toured Rajouri and Poonch Districts and Jammu city, before returning to Kashmir, set up Jammu Provincial Committee to enroll members for the organisation and propagate its policies and programmes. D. R. Sharma was nominated Provincial President and Amir Mohd. Shams! its General Secretary.

The Hurriyat Conference received a jolt on March 13,1999 when 22 different organisations disregarding its stand, set up "J&K Peoples Forum for Justice". The principal motivation came from Kashmir Bar Association which had lent valuable support to APHC since its inception in 1993. Another member of Hurriyat Conference and General Secretary of Peoples' League Nayeem Khan, was made its Convenor. The Forum was expected to overshadow the APHC as the umbrella organisation because it will take up issues concerning peoples everyday problems.

Sections of Congress Party in Jammu & Kashmir for over a year had been advocating "unconditional dialogue" with militants in general and Hurriyat leadership in particular. This idea was aired in J&K Legislative Assembly by Leader of the Congress Legislature Party, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti in March 1999 in another way. The Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah told the Assembly on March 22, that he and his Party members would be prepared to resign their seats and contest again if the "gun-wielding militants join the mainstream and battle of ballots". He charged Hurriyat Conference with bringing only destruction and miseries for the people of Kashmir and said that Hurriyat had lost whatever base it had. "They had promise the people, Pakistan and Azadi. None of them came. What came was only barbadi (destruction)" he added.

Two days later the Hurriyat Chairman, Syed Ali Shah Geelani turned down Farooq's offer. In a statement on March 24,1999 he said APHC was not constituted for gaining power in the State. "It is fighting for securing the right of self-determination for the people of the State irrespective of colour, caste, creed and religion. By contesting polls the disputed status of Kashmir cannot be negated as proved by a number of elections held since 1947," the statement added.

•' Teams & Turf 107

Hizb-Ul-Muj ahideen

Master Ahsan Dar of Pattan had gone across the LOC to Pakistan in 1988. He was trained in Pakistan and with detailed instructions, he came back to Kashmir in 1990 to establish a "hardhitting fighting organisation" to spearhead the freedom struggle. In Srinagar he was joined by another veteran - Mohammed Abdullah Bangroo. Hizb-uI-Mujahideen CHUM) came into being by April 1990. Bangroo was named the Military Advisor while Dar was made Chief of Operations. Tliere was no dearth of funds and arms and therefore no problem to get recruits. Within a year Hizb reportedly had over 10,000 armed cadres, mostly trained in Pakistan/ POK.'

The first major strike was alleged to be against Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Moulvi Mohammed Farooq. According to police, Bangroo and his two associates conspired to kill Moulvi Farooq on May 21,1990. Subsequent disorder resulted in firing which left 26 killed. Popular belief was that it

• was the handiwork of government agents. It is well-known that Hizb is an ally of Jamait-e-Islami and advocates Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. It also stands for Islamisation of Kashmir. It is public knowledge that Moulvi Farooq had not taken any public stand openly on such contentious issues.

In June 1990 Hizb asked fruit growers and dealers in Kashmir not to export their produce through "Hindu Lalas" thereby severing the link between the "local rich class" and their counterparts "in India". It also accused me focal rich merchants ofpfaymg a '"'dubious rote m the present struggle".

Delhi Police picked from the walled city on March 25,1991 the Hizb Deputy Intelligence Chief, Ashfaq Hussain Lone. It was learnt later that allegedly he was the conduit for passing money to militant groups in Kashmir, which came to India through Jain Havala operation.

In the spring of 1991 the HUM set up a Supreme Advisory Council. Shams-ul-Haq was made the Ameer (Chief). The Hizb had also set up a Youth wing under the leadership of Nasar-ul-Islam. On June 29,1991 its activists kidnapped Mohammed Iman Khan^ Kashmir's Director of Food and Supplies.

A month later, on July 26,1991, the Youth wing was separated and given a new name "Jamait-ul-Mujahideen" and Nasir-ul-Islam was named its first Chief.

The Hizb decided to spread its wings to Jammu Province and in February 1991 it appointed Aurangzeb and Mohd. Dnud as Provincial Chief and Commander of Operations, respectively. Also appointed were Chief of Intelligence (Commander Akrnm) and at different places Field


Intelligence Units were located. They were a^ked to collect information useful to Hizb.

It was announced that Hizb Chief had asked Moslem Auqaf Trust and Custodian of Evacuee - Property to make reports of all property "owned by and under your possession" by the end of March 1991. The outfit also asked the revenue authorities in Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua Districts to publish details of Permanent Resident Certificates issued in the past 40 years. The HUM asked all non-residents to leave the State within one month or face the consequences.

Difference in ideology between Hizb and others started appearing in the open in the spring of 1991. Hizb was very critical of all those who stood for independence as the third option. JKLF had said that UN Resolutions was not the only opening which would lead to the solution of Kashmir tangle. On July 30,1991 the HUM in a handwritten statement described the JKLF stand as "childish and highly irresponsible". It even accused the JKLF of helping India indirectly. "Separating UN Resolutions from Kashmir dispute is like inflicting a severe blow to the movement", it stated.

In the meantime, its Patron, "General" Mousa was arrested on September 23,1991. He was replaced by Nissar Mohd. Gujari alias "General" Shoaib. A faction of Allah Tigers announced its merger with the Hizb on October 8,1991.

With a change in its strategy, a re-organisation was necessitated. The Supreme Advisory Council met for two days and on November 11, 1991 announced the changes. Chief Commander, Master Ahsan Dar stepped down. Syed Salahudin was named the Patron as also the Supreme Commander. There would be three Divisional Commanders, each having charge of two Districts in Kashmir. For Srinagar District three Deputy Commanders were also appointed in view of stepped up activity.

Hizb had felt for quite some time that the Press was not giving it publicity in relation to its activities. On March 31, 1992 it banned in Kashmir the sale and circulation of the Indian Express and asked its Staff Correspondent at Srinagar, George Joseph to leave Kashmir within 48 hours for "anti-movement reporting and news".

Security Forces arrested a Senior Divisional Commander, Ghulam Mohammed Khan, from a taxi near Ganderbal on August 7,1992.

Syed Salaludin, its Supreme Commander and Abdul Majid Dar, its Advisor-General said that their movement will achieve success early if all guerilla outfits come under one unified command. In an interview on September 5,1992 they said that a United Jehad Council would be sel up immediately hv live guerilla groups. Syed Salaludin had returned to Kashmir after a long sojourn in Pakistan. lie categorically denied that

Teams & Turf 109

HJ2b was the armed wing oi the Jamait-e-Islami and asserted that his organisation was a separate set-up and had no links with JEI "except fraternal". He said the movement belongs to the entire population of Kashmir and "to make it property of any particular party amounts to treason". Similarly, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen belonged to the whole of Kashmir. He felt that because of black sheep in different guerilla groups the movement was being labelled as a "terrorist movement". He identified these black sheep as such elements who indulge in condemnable acts like harassing innocent persons, looting of banks, extortion, .kidnappings, and the like which give a bad impression both within Kashmir and outside.

In early 1992 the HUM had become a member of the "Popular International Organisation" (PIO) under the leadership of Sudan's Dr. Hassan-al-Turabi. This made the Hizb eligible for direction and guidance, training, expertise, funds and arms.

The State Police launched its "Operation Tiger" in middle of 1992. It certainly paid greater attention to bigger and better organised units. In September 1992 the Chief Organiser Mohammed Saleem was killed in an encounter. On December 24, 1992 Sikandar Azam, a District Commander was killed. Three months later, its Divisional Commander Maqbool Illahi was killed in an encounter with Security Forces, in / Budgam on April 19,1993.

The State Governor, General K.V. Krishna Rao gave a call for surrender to armed militants in March 1993. The first Union Minister to invite the militants to participate in elections, was the Home Minister S.B.Chavan. Hizb was the first major outfit to reject both the offers. A spokesman of HUM on March 11,1993 rejected Home Minister's offer and termed it admission of Delhi's defeat. While rejecting the conditional offer for dialogue after shunning the path of violence the statement said "unconditional negotiations among, India, Pakistan and the people of Kashmir are key to the solution of the problem". A week later, on March 18, HUM Chief Syed Salaludin stated that "no agreement was possible with Government after thousands have laid down their lives". He warned the Government that Hizb would not allow official machinations to succeed to "create dis-unity among the freedom fighters". He also declared that the principal aim of their movement was "establishment of an Islamic Caliphate the world over, starting with Kashmir".

From such high flown ideals the Hizb also came down quickly to matters of daily life. The HUM took upon itself to fix the price of mutton to be sold in Srinagar. On April 19, 1993 it 'advised' the meat sellers in Srinagar to sell mutton at not more than Rs 46/- per kg. They were nsked to disregard all government directive in this regard.

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Teams & Turf 111

In Sopore town on May 3, in a fire two big buildings, 51 residential houses and 29 shops were gutted. The Hizb owned the responsibility of having fired rockets (named Zarb-i-Haider) on to one big building housing BSF personnel. HUM claimed that 'several BSF personnel' were killed.

Prof. Chaman Lai Gupta, President of State BJP unit had been very strident in his criticism of the militants and violence "unleashed" by them on general public. The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen decided to warn him of serious consequences. The Hizb Divisional Commander Saifullah Khalid in a statement at Srinagar on June 26,1993 asked Gupta to desist from "anti-Muslim and anti-Islamic activities". Fearing mat Hindus might react strongly, the statement said "our fight is with India and not with Hindus or any other community. We will provide them full protection".

The Hizb organisation in Jammu region was being expended for larger operation. Before it could act in a big way, the Police on May 5, 1993 at Jammu arrested its Provincial Deputy Chief, Shakeel Hussain. Police claimed that he had confessed that with two other colleagues they were plotting to kill the Governor, General Rao; Dr Farooq p

Abdullah, former Chief Minister; Congress State President Ghulam Rasul Kar and BJP leader Prof. Chaman Lai Gupta, among others. He said, they had also been assigned the task of throwing bombs at religious places.

In Kashmir Valley, Riyaz Rasul, the Divisional Commander far Srinagar and Budgam Districts, and Akbar Bhai, an Afghan National, who claimed to have fought alongside Hekmatyar there, were killed in an encounter on June 15,1993. Same day the Hizb appointed Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi, its Deputy Chief Commander. About this time there was an influx of foreign mercenaries into this outfit. On July 15,1993 the Group justifying this said "the presence of foreign nationals in our raiiks is an eye opener for those who dub the movement as the handiwork of misguided youth. The involvement of the guests from different countries showed that people of Kashmir were not alone in their struggle and enjoyed the support and confidence of so many countries of the world, especially the Moslem world". About their role the statement said "they are providing Kashmiri youth necessary assistance and guidance in their struggle". A well-known mercenary organisation of Afghans, Harkat-e-Jihad-e-Islami, presently based in Pakistan was actively collaborating with HUM, by providing guidance, leadership, direction and material assistance. The Hizb claimed that on an average, it was spending Rs 4^ lacs everv month to maintain its cadres. Regular flow of funds was imperative to keep it going.


Its District Commander for Srinagar, Nisar Ahmed Mir alias Yunus Saleem alias Zulkarnain, was killed in exchange of fire with BSF in a Srinagar suburb on July 24,1993.

From 199;*- three of its most important functionaries Sysed Salaludin, Supremo; Ghulam Mohammed Sufi, the Chief Coordinator of training and Ashraf Saraf, the Chief Coordinator of Arms Supplies, live in Pakistan and operate from there. They do make occasional visits to Kashmir.

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was one of the few underground set-ups which expressed grief over large number of deaths and destruction by earthquake in Latur in Maharashtra in September 1993 and conveyed sympathies of its members saying "We have no enmity with the people of India. Our struggle is against the Government of India for its illegal occupation of Kashmit".

Shams-ul-Haq, its Chief of Teaching and Training Wing, and three of his associates were killed in an operation mourned by Security Forces in Budgam on December 16,1993. It was a big jolt to the Party because Haq was considered to be the chosen successor of Syed Salaludin. Fourteen days later from the same area Army jawans captured its Military Advisor, Wahid Sheikh and his bodyguard. The District Administrator, Mohammed Shaffi "Haroon Rashid" was killed by Security Forces on December 30/1993. Shaffi was allegedly responsible for a number of attacks on security forces vehicles on the Na tional Highway. Also killed with him was Abdul Ahad Mir "Saleem" alias "Road Commander".

During 1993 the HUM suffered heavy casualties. According to Annual Report for 1993 made to the Military Command Council in early January 1994 by its General Secretary Maqbool Alam, Hizb lost 675 of its members in different encounters. Among them were Acting Chief Shams-ul-Haq, top functionaries like Dr. Drabi, Zulkarnain, Abdul Rauf, Raja Khalid Manhas and over 40 Area and District Commanders. Several of its top militants were arrested. The Group claimed to have made over 1500 attacks on the Security Forces.

Its Jammu unit was also receiving attention of the authorities. On January 4,1994 in Jammu, the Police arrested Zulfiqar Ashraf, the Deputy Chief of Doda District.

In Kashmir, the outfit improsed a ban from January 7,1994 on night movement of all vehicles all over Kashmir except Srinagar City. This was done because of largescale movement of security forces was taking place mostly at night. It was stated that the ban also applied to movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.

As a move to mwart any revival of political process the HUM on January 19, 1994 announced seizure of all the organisational assets of the National Conference and the Congress Its Deputy Chiel Commander Burhan-ul-Diii I lijnzi said that ontrv ol Dr. Fnrnoq Abdullah and Ghulam

Teams & Turf 113

Rasul Kar, in their respective organisational offices was "banned". He ordered confiscation of the Congress Party's Khidmat Printing Press' where 4 daily and one weekly newspapers of different organisations, were being printed. According to Hijazi, Khidmat Press earns about Rs 30 lacs a month from printing of these newspapers' and he alleged, this amount was being used by the Congress Party to undermine the peoples movement. • -

In January 1994 the Hizb stepped up its'activity in Kulgam area of Anantnag District. In an encounter the Security Forces killed outfit's Coordinator, Manzoor Ahmed Lone "Hilal' on 17lh.

The HUM announced "Operation Top Ten" for the next 10 days* from January 19, 1994. The announcement stated that all actions undertaken in the next 10 days would be dedicated to the memory of top 10 militants killed in 1993. They included Maqbool Ilahi; General Shoaib; Shams-ul-Haq; Khalid Gibran; Jamal Afghani; Khalil-ul-Rehman; Nasir-ul-Islam.

The outfit lost its Srinagar District Administrator when Dr. Abrar Ahmed alias Er. Tahir Mehmood was arrested by BSF on February 25, 1994 from SMHS Civil Hospital at Srinagar.

The Jammu Provincial unit received a big jolt when its Chief, Abdul Rashid Islahi alias Khalid Saifullah, was killed on February 16,1994 in village Shiva of Doda District.

The Special Task Force of the State Police was deputed to apprehend as many top functionaries of HUM as possible, in next few weeks. The STF claimed to have arrested Ghulam Rasul Lone alias "Umar Chacha" - Divisional Commander North on March 13,1994. From clues given by him the STF recovered some arms but in doing so they came under intense fire by militants and Lone was killed by a militant's bullet. HUM however, stated that Lone was killed later in custody.

Deputy Supreme Commander Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi warned all those "sabotaging the ongoing movement" with dire consequences. In a statement on March 21,1994 said Hizb would not "allow Farooq, Kar and their stooges" to dance to the tunes of Delhi. They will be dealt with severely" he stated.

The HUM deputed two of its trusted and Pakistani-trained activists Ghulam Hassan Lone and Bashir Ahmed Padroo to Jammu to kill Wall Mohammed Itoo, a National Conference leader and the former Speaker of Legislative Assembly. When Itoo was returning after Friday prayers he was shot dead from close range on March IS, 1994 in Jammu City. Both the alleged assailants escaped.

The Hizb offered a general amnesty on March 26, 1994 to all politicians who had left the Valley and were living in self-exile in Jammu, Delhi or abroad. In a joint statement two Deputy Chief Commanders,


Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi and Nasib-ud-Din Ghazi asked such politicians to return to the Valley and "join the ongoing Jehad (holy war)". If they do so their "past misdeeds will be overlooked". The statement also gave clear warning that should they not accept the offer "these fugitives would be meted out the same fate as^Wali Mohammed Ittoo, former Speaker of the Assembly".

There was a lot of talk in Srinagar and in New Delhi about restoration of peace and return of normalcy in Kashmir. The Hizb Chief Syed Salaludin declared that HUM will not allow sacrifices of thousands of Kashmiris to go in vain. "We will foil any attempt to do it", he stated in May 1994 from his hideout.

To ensure that its writ still ran in Doda District's rich forests and also in the outer reaches of south-eastern parts of Kashmir Valley, the HUM "banned felling of trees and extraction of timber from the forests". In a statement issued on June 4,1994, it said "national wealth was being plundered by civil administration and security agencies". This must be stopped forthwith, it added.

Its Publicity Chief Latif Bhat alias Idrees Khan was arrested form Srinagar's Press Enclave on August 7, 1994 by Security Forces. The Special Task Force of J&K Police was able to arrest on October 18,1994 Sajjad Ahmed Bhat alias Shabaaz, also known as Rajan. He was Commander of Civil Lines area in Srinagar. Bhat was in company of two girls when he was apprehended.

A Hizb activist Khalid Jameel had gone to Pakistan for training. There he was told to return to "destroy^ the Moslem Shrine at Shahdara Sharief near Rajouri in Jammu Province. On crossing the LOC on December 20, 1994 he surrendered to the Poonch SSP. He confessed

/ about the plan to blow up the Shine which attracts lacs of devotees annually.

Mast Gul, a mercenary from across the LOC had come to Kashmir in 1994 and was working in close contact with the Hizb. From February 1995 Mast Gul was in Charar-e-Shareef organising his men for a prolonged confrontation by-fortifying the entire township with its surrounding ridges and slopes. The HUM and its commandos were fully committed in this operation. After a two month stand-off most of the town and the holy shrine of the patron saint of Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din, were burnt. Most of the Hizb cadres with Mast Gul were able to escape from the protective cordon laid by the Security forces, on May 11,1995. Mast Gul held a meeting with press persons on May 26,1995 organised by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in a hideout nearby. I lizb Divisional Commander, Riyaz Rasul was present. On behalf of I lizb Chief, Syed Salaludin, Riyaz announced an award of Rs 1 lac for Mast Gul for his "heroic deed".

Teams & Turf 115

In February 1995, the HUM lost two important functionaries. On February 13, its Divisional Administrator Ali Mohammed alias "Munshi" was arrested. Four days later, on February 17, its Divisional Commander for Poonch and Rajouri Districts, Javed Kohistani and his 7 associates were killed by Army in an encounter on the outskirts of Charar-e-Shareef. On June 11,1995 the Rajouri District Commander Manzoor Hassan was arrested from his village Gonda in Rajouri District. A week later, another important militant Altaf Ahmed Moghlu was killed by BSF in Karfali Mohalla of Srinagar.

In August 1995 the Hizb Supreme Advisory Council selected six squads for awards for "best performance" in laying mines and other IEDs. These were:

Shaheedi Squad - for Jammu

Shaheed Ibrahim Squad - for Poonch Al Jafar Battalion - for Lolab Salah-ud-Din Squad - for Baramulla Hazrat Salman Farsi Platoon - for Bijbehara Hazrat Jafar Tayer Coy - for Kulgam.

Same day Hizb announced award of "Hilal-e-Jurrat" (bravery awards) for 21 persons, to be given on Pakistan Independence Day -August 14,1995. Only one living person - Mast Gul was awarded this medal. Twenty others who were awarded this posthumously were :

Abdul Ghani alias Capt Shifaf - of Srinagar Javed Ahmed - of Rambagh, Srinagar Sajjad Ahmed - of Wazir Bagh, Srinagar Javed Kohistani - of Poonch Bashir Ahmed Manhas - of Surankote, Poonch Bashir Ahmed Dar - of Shutch, Kulgam Nazir Ahmed Dar - of Techo Khudwani,

Anantnag Bashir Ahmed Beg - of Nanel, Anantnag Abdul Rashid Chinni - of Jalelipora, Bijbehara Nissar Ahmed Paul - of Dangarpora, Shopian Abdul Rashid Malik - of Soibug, Budgam Manzoor Ahmed Sheikh - of Zaloora, Sopore Ghulam Mohammed Sheikh - of Zaloora, Sopore Ghulam Mohammed Mir • - of Sopore Mohd. Subhan Bhat - of Khuroo, Pattan Mohd. Jawed Bhat - of Gushe, Kupwara Bashir Ahmed Dar - of Palhalan, Pattan Zaffar Ahmed Kawa - of Charar-e-Sharief Hassan Bhai - of Pakistan


Six militant units were also selected for awards for their good performance including laying of mines. They were :

Shaheedi Squad, Jammu Shaheed Ibrahim Squad, Poonch Al Farar Battalion, Lolab Salaludin Squad, Baramulla Hazrat Salman Farsi Platoon, Bijbehara Hazrat Jaffer Tayar Company, Kulgam

In the winter of 1995-96 there was a lot of talk about elections to be held in the near future, The Hizb Chief Syed Salaludin warned the Government employees in Kashmir not to get associated with this process. He also asked them not to become "tools" in the hands oi the Government. The outfits also "directed public" not to deposit pending electricity fee. It asked the Government officials not to force people to pay. The Divisional Commander, Riyaz Rasul castigated Government employees for "dual loyalties". He said "on one hand they take oath of

t loyalty in private to the ongoing movement" but from their office issue S orders against the movement.

In the end of September, 1995 Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claimed ' responsibility of the rocket attack on the MLA Hostel at Srinagar. On

October 2, it also took credit for an attack on Sheikh Abdullah's youngest son and a former minister, Dr. Mustafa Kemal when he was on his way to attend an election related meeting called by India's Chief Election Commissioner. Dr. M.S. Gill at Srinagar.

Disturbed on account of rethinking about gun culture in the cadres of many militant outfits the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen planned to stop it before it snowballed. On October 3,1995 it administered a stern warning to all those who according to it, were working against the ongoing movement. The warning came a day after an emergency meeting of District Commanders and senior members. The statement declared amnesty for those who wanted to return to "our fold". It stated that no action would be taken against them. Those who continue to work against the movement would not be tolerated.

Because of the inter-gang rivalry many leaders of the Hurriyat Conference publicly expressed fears of attacks by surrendered militants. The Hizb was apprehensive that the blame would be put on its members. By a statement on March 6,1996 the Hizb warned people of plans to kill some Hurriyat leaders and put the blame on Hizb cadres. It asked people to beware of this and asked them to frustrate such plans.

From a hideout in Kishtwar town in Doda District on March 11, 1996 the Security Forces arrested Mohammed Aslnm alias "Col. 7,ubair" who was involved in m.iny subversive activities in recent months.

Teams & Turf 117

The Divisional Commander for North Kashmir, Ghulam Rasul Lone (Code name Omar Chacha) of Bandipur was arrested in a downtown Srinagar hideout on March 14,1996 by State Police SOG. For over two years he had been the outfit's 'Launching Chief. After the arrest he led the police to a place in a village near Bandipur from where arms were recovered. When the party was returning to Srinagar, a militant group attacked the Police party in which Lone was killed.

Jammu Police from a city hotel on March 23,1996 picked up Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Area Commander for Pampore in Kashmir, Ghulam Rasul alias 'Gohar'- He had received arms training in Pakistan and Afghanistan, for more than 6 months in 1990. Early in 1996 he fled to Goa. Now, he was on his way back when he got arrested at Jammu. Before leaving for Goa he was reported to have "extorted" a few lacs of rupees from well-to-do business people at Pampore and Srinagar. He is alleged to have invested these amounts in Goa.

In April 1996 the Police arrested Mohammed Ashraf alias 'Arif. He was taken in on April 12 from Ramban when he was on his way to Srinagar from Doda. Ashraf specialised in making IEDs while he was in POK earlier for over 30 months. In POK he helped train a large number of Kashmiri youth who were there for training.

With forthcoming Parliamentary elections to be held in May 1996, the Kashmir Administration started making its preparations. The Hizb was surprised that the Government employees were prepared to undertake election duties without any protest. On March 1, it issued a warning to all employees to keep away from election work. A spokesman of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen warned bureaucrats of dire consequences if they worked against the ongoing movement.

The Hizb also announced its ban on use and playing of audio-cassettes produced by the State Information Department because according to it, the cassettes propagated "anti-Tehrik material". Even possession of the cassettes would be an offence "which will be punished".

Although dead set against elections in Kashmir the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was not able to undertake anything big to stall it or to create a situation which would draw focussed attention on Jammu & Kashmir in May 1996- The election of Parliamentary seats were completed without any major obstruction. Even in elections to Legislative Assembly in September 1996 the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was not able to disrupt it or significantly persuade voters to keep away from electoral process.

The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had been under scrutiny of the Government for a long time. The State Government on September 19,1996 declared it an unlawful association and banned it under the J&K Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983. The notifications said that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had been indulging in acts of armed violence for more than past seven


years and was in the forefront of the secessionist movement in the State - with active support-of Pakistan and POK Governments in terms of or

arms training, supply of arms and guidance, among other acts. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had been very critical of excesses allegedly

committed by Security Forces. It had been demanding probes, inquiry commissions and investigations into the various allegations leveled by them. About Government disclaimers following investigations that allegations have been found to be baseless, it scoffed these. It asked the Indian Commission on Human Rights to look into them. When the State Government set up a J&K Commission on Human Rights, the Hizb described is as a "subterfuge". Its Deputy Chief on April 30,1997 said that the Commission was set up to provide a "cover to the ongoing bloodshed and killings" at the international level. He called it a "bloody gift" to the people of Kashmir.

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Supremo, Syed Salahudin asked Kashmiris to celebrate with austerity the Idd-ul-Zuha on April 18,1997. In a statement issued in Srinagar on April 16 he lamented "Slaves have no Eid and their real Eid is their freedom". He appealed to people to remember those persons who did not hesitate to offer every kind of sacrifice. He urged Kashmiris to take the movement to its logical conclusion.

The Think-Tank of this Group had been at work for some months and quietly worked to produce a web-site which would disseminate "real information about the ground reality in Kashmir". In June 1997, it launched its web-site, called "Angel Fire". It would be available to over 4GG million cybessuxfess around &a wosld, Hizb-ul-Mujabideen claimed. According to present status the internet page introduces Hizb-ul-

; Mujahideen with a moderate outlook. With a human face put out, the . Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claims to be the largest group of Kashmir Armed

Resistance. It obviously is aimed at the western audience because is says "Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has never harmed any unarmed person. Abduction of tourists by Al Faran was condemned by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as an outrage against humanity".

The page further claims "Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leadership is open to reason. Once India accepts raison d'etre for the struggle of the people, the organisation will facilitate the peaceful resolution. Essentially Hizb believes in constructive, productive and meaningful exchange of views".

"The outfit is spread in all the parts of Indian Kashmir and was instituted to restrict movements of Indian forces". The page goes on to say "We share 68 percent of total martyrs and have 85 percent of total encounters against the security forces".

In the web-site Hizb-ul-Mujahideen has acknowledged that it has technical know-how to manufacture small weapons. According to it heavy weapons are purchased from the open market. For the financial

Teams & Turf 119

support, it explains that Kashmiris inside and outside living in different parts of the world, provide financial support to the Hizb.

The hard core of Jamait-I-Islami and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leadership had started having difference of perception and the means to achieve their objective. Whether it was a tactical move or a continued distancing it is difficult to say presently but, a public announcement of parting of ways did not raise too many eyebrows. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Supremo, Syed Salahudin on November 26,1997 in an announcement dis-associated his outfit from Jamait-I-Islami. "Our outfit is not affiliated with any particular group. Ours is an armed resistance movement of all people of Jammu and Kashmir. We have a network from Srinagar to every important capital of the world and our supporters are all Kashmiris and expatriate Kashmiris". Giving reasons for the uprising Salaludin said "uprising which swayed the Kashmiri youth and broke earlier affiliations only when the democratic and peaceful struggle was plugged by the rulers. After 50 years of Indian rule in Jammu & Kashmir, people have been deprived of their political, economic and other fundamental rights. People were made economically bankrupt and politically worse than slaves".

In February 1998 reports from Pakistan spoke of Syed Salahudin having been displaced from the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen leadershop. Confirmation was not available in Srinagar but a happening in POK in April 1998 threw new light. On the night of April 27 and 28 in the village Samani some 300 meters on the other side of the LOC, in Bhimber District of POK, 21 villagers were killed. Pak authorities were quick to blame Indian agency RAW for the carnage. Subsequent information confirmed that it was the result of intense rivalry between two groups of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen - one loyal to Syed Salahudin (a Kashmiri) and the other headed by the Pakistani, Masood Sarfraz who was appointed by Pak ISI as new Chief to replace Salahudin. The struggle for supremacy is not yet over.

On May 23, 1998, at Qamarwari on the outskirts of Srinagar, a landmine on the National Highway blew up a vehicle in which ruling party legislator and President of Youth National Conference, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, was seriously injured. Later his left leg had to be amputated. Next day after the blast, the responsibility was claimed by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

The Hizb was bound to react to the nuclear tests conducted by India and Pakistan, in May 1998. But its reaction was different from the Hurriyat Conference. Its Deputy Chief Abdullah Nasir in a statement on June 7,1998 saw a change in the attitude of Delhi which had opened negotiations with Pakistan. The statement asked New Delhi to give up its fifty year old "stubborn attitude towards Kashmir and thus prevent

120 Kasttmir Underground

your own disintegration". It congratulated Pakistan "for answering India in the same coin". The Hizb asked people to celebrate the event. It declared a week of jubiliations. In some areas of downtown Srinagar, militants celebrated nuclear tests by Pakistan by firing in the air. A day later celebrations were with fireworks at a number of places.

Reports had been current in Sringar about this time that efforts to set up a few bodies of erstwhile secessionists had succeeded. National Security Organisation floated by Tabrez Hyder was one. Fearing erosion in the Hurriyat ranks the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen advised the APHC to keep a close watch on its constituents and have tighter control over its cadres.

In Doda Districts some activists in the far flung areas had started acting as "Village elders" and were arbitrating between individuals and different groups. This way they also tried to present a different face of militants. In most of these areas mere is no judicial presence and no trace of village panchayats. In some cases "favourable decisions" were pronounced for monetary consideration. People in these remote areas fall in line because there is no other means of getting any justice or settlement of dispute. These cadres only have the authority of gun and fear of its use.

Some of the senior-most leaders of the Hizb were in Pakistan for the past 2-3 years, living a life of security and comfort. It was claimed that they were directing and controlling the movement from there. Four of them were known figures of Syed Salahudin, Er. Zaman, Riyaz Rasool and Abdul Majeed Dar. In Kashmir in the recent pas t some of its senior members and leading commanders had been eliminated. These included Firdaus Kirmani, Manzoor Ahmed Khan and Naseeb-ud-Din Ghazi. In the middle of 1998 Ali Mohd. Dar (Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi) was in command of Hizb cadres in Kashmir as Acting Chief Commander. Obviously, the Police was working overtime to get him.

Report was received on August 9, 1998 that Hijazi with close associates was having meetings in a house in Nawab Bazar area of Srinagar. The Security Forces surrounded the house and asked the inmates to surrender. Also killed were the owner of the house Ali Mohd. Bhat (of Hamray, Pattan) and his son Tauseef Bhat who was acting as Hijazi's bodyguard. This left Hizb-ul-Mujahideen headless in Kashmir, for the time being.

In the meantime, Hizb leadership in Pakistan was worried about militants wanting to join the counter-insurgent ranks. Plans were made to stem mis trend and work out incentives for return of those who had gone out of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In an appeal made on January 16,1999 from Pakistan by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Supremo Syed Salahudin advised the surrendered militants to give up their present path and lo return to militant ranks. He promised them not only freedom but that they would

Teams & Turf 121

be given special treatment. In the recent past many militants and those who had joined counter-insurgency groups, had died in clashes and encounters. The situation in Kulgam and Anantnag in South Kashmir was worse than the other parts of Kashmir. The induction of foreign mercenaries had led to increased killing of surrendered militants and their family members.

The Hizb leadership was undecided how to react to the Lahore Declaration following the summit meeting between the Indian and the Pakistan Prime Ministers on February 21, 1999. The Hizb Chief in a statement on March 3, 1999 said that though they were not against bilateral talks, these would not yield any result unless representatives of Kashmiri people were involved in the talks. The statement said "neither can Indian sugar change the taste of Pakistani people, nor can Pakistan power provide light to dark hearts till the Kashmir issue is settled".

On the other hand, Hizb reaction was strong and direct to Dr. Farooq Abdullah's call to militants to surrender and contest elections. In a joint statement issued on March 24,1999 by Syed Salahudin and Deputy Chief Saifullah Khalid, they ridiculed the Chief Minister for making the offer. The statement questioned the loeus standi of Dr. Farooq Abdullah to make the offer and called him a "paid Indian agent". It said Hizb cadres had laid down their lives and were determined to carry on the struggle for "complete freedom of the State".

122 Kashmir'Underground

Jamait-e-Islami

The most fundamentalist and most disciplined organisation in Kashmir, is Jamait-e-Islami. It is not part of or allied to the Jamait-e-Islami-I-Hind. Nor is it an affiliate of the Jamait-e-Islami in Pakistan though it considers it as a fraternal organisation. As if to prove and consolidate these links through long distance telephones Kashmir Jamait leaders have participated in Pakistani conclaves of Jamait-I-Islami in past few years of militancy.

It cadres are fully indoctrinated, dedicated and committed. The Kashmiri Moslems either love and respect it or hate and condemn it. Its roots have gone deep into the soil of Kashmir. If it has taken over 50 years to reach this level of maturity and influence it will take another 50 years of real hard work to eliminate it from the Kashmiri mind.

The seeds of Jamait-e-Islami in India were sown by Maulana Sayid Abdul al Maudodi in the thirties. In 1938 he founded Jamait 's organisation. He also started a chain of Madrassas (schools) where he started training his cadres through the organisation on how to operate and function. He also formulated and refined the concept of Nizam-I-Mustafa - God's own administration. He also popularised in India the concept of Ummah and declared that for believers in Koran there were no national boundaries. He was a fiery propagator of Pan-Islamism. The affects of Maudodi thinking also invaded Kashmir at the time of conversion of Moslem Conference into National Conference in 1938 at the hands of Sheikh Abdullah. The Musalman in Punjab was apprehensive that his both flanks - Kashmir and the NWFP were being taken over by nationalism of the Congress brand. In 1941 was held in Pathankot in Punjab, the convention of Jamait workers where the formal announcement of founding of Jamait-e-Islami -I-Hind, was made by Maulana Maudodi. The Convention was attended by three Moslem scholars from Kashmir - Maulvi Ghulam Ahmed, Saad-ud-Din and Qari Said-ud-Din. After returning to Kashmir they consulted many others. In 1942 at Shopian in the foothills of Pir Panjal range the Kashmir branch of Jamait-e-Islami was formed. For the first 10-15 years it did not make much impact because its fundamental concept of Islam was not acceptable to the liberal Kashmirian Islam, which was very deeply influenced by the Sufi thought and practices. The second reason was the towering personality of Sheikh Abdullah, which did not allow anything else to grow.

Maudodi who was opposed to carving out a separate stn te of Pakistan initially, but later decided to make it n theoretic Islamic State. ThcJamait-e-Islami-I-Hind accepted secularism and decided to function within the confines of Indian Constitution. This did not suit the Kashmir lamait.

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It was decided in 1953 to delink itself from the all India body and have a separate existence. Although it has no organisational link, it considers Pak Jamait-e-Islami an ideological parent. Advanced communication facilities has made constant communication and consultations possible between the two set-ups- The Kashmir Jamait receives directions, literature or even funds for undertaking various organisation activities and to run its schools.

It has pyramid-like organisational set up all over Kashmir and also in Doda District of Jammu region since it has a sizeable population of Kashmiri origin and it is contagious to Anantnag District of Kashmir Province. It is headed by Ameer-I-Jamait. It has a General Secretary who supervises all organisational matters. It has set ups at District and Tehsil level and their chiefs are called Ameer-I-Zila and Ameer-I-Tehsil. The Jamait'has a General Council of 31 members. It is known as Majlis-I-Shoora. The current Ameer-I-Jamait is Ghulam Mohd. Bhat while the General Secretary is Mohd. Ashraf Sehrai. But in reality the leader is Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who has been it's most vocal and authoritative spokesman for past two decades or so. On the Executive Committee of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Geelani represents the Jamait.

The JEI is against socialism and secularism. It stands for Islamisation of Kashmiri society and is for establishment of Nizam-I-Mustafa. It does not accept the idea of nationalism or nation states. It is committed to the concept of Ummah and Pan-Islamism and has scant respect for national boundaries. It does not accept Kashmir's accession to India. Instead it considers that India is in forcible occupation of Jammu and Kashmir against the wishes of the people. It considers it a disputed territory. Although it pays lip service to Kashmiris' right of self-determination, its objective is Kashmir's merger in Pakistan. All the same it demands holding of a plebiscite as per UN Resolutions.

Let us see how it grew into a well-oiled machine in 45 years or so. When Bakshi Ghulam Mohammed assumed power in August 1953 he wanted support from whatever quarter it came. JEI seized this opportunity and gave him full support to demolish the image of Sheikh Abdullah. Its adherants were able to get jobs in various Government departments including Government schools. Lots of teachers were required to man schools that were opened under the State policy of free education. After Ghulam Mohd. Sadiq fell out with Bakshi he charged Bakshi on the floor of Legislative Assembly in 1957 of having made big monetary payments to the Jamait. Qari Saif-ud-Din who had gone to Hyderabad was recalled to help enlarge Jamait work. In the next 10-15 years a large number of schools became functional. Later the Jamait set up n chain of well-stocked libraries and study centres. In addition to over 250 Darsgnhs - Mndrnsns (schools) these centres became beehives of activity to spread philosophy of the Jnmnil-e-Islami and gain adherants


and sympathisers. Boys were fed on distorted views of history, on anti -Hindu and anti-Indian sentiments. Attention was also paid to making mosques the centre of dissemination of suitable information. The current Imams and Khateebs were cultivated and taken under its influence. As far as possible new appointees were Jamaities. Since the number of mosques being constructed in Kashmir far outnumbered the available trained Imams, large number of Imams were imported from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. During the Seventies and the Eighties in Srinagar, Baramulla, Sopore and Anantnag a large number of shops owned and run by Moslems from UP and Bihar, were opened. The Kashmiris normally are not fond of sweets but many new shops came up near mosques and well-known Sufi shrines. All mosques also got fitted with public address systems. These were used to great advantage in January-March, 1990 period, firstly to instill fear in the minds of the non-Moslem population and secondly to create mass hysteria which was needed to raise the pitch so that the secessionist movement could be sustained till it started receiving adequate outside support and Kashmiri youth trained across the border were back to strengthen the movement and to lend it the required momentum.

The Jamait does not have much to boast on the political front till the Chief Ministership of Syed Mir Qasim in 1971 but it assiduously worked to spread itself right down to even remote villages without the Government getting alarmed. By then they had their sympathisers in positions at various levels of the Administration and the political leadership did not bother because Jamait had no political ambitions till then. In the Relic agitation of 1963-64 the Jamait had no role to play. After Sheikh Abdullah's return from a foreign trip and his incarceration in Kodaikanal, he organised two separate conventions in 1968 and 1970 to find a "broad based consensus for dialogue with the center." In the 1968 convention the Jamait representative Qari Saif-ud-Din objected to the proposed setup being broadbased. This point of view did not receive any support. In the 1970 convention their objection was to the word "secular" in the resolution. The Qari said that the participants seem to have committed to India already therefore mere was no need for the convention. The message seemed to be clear and loud that the Jamait had changed track and had not only become interested in politics but would start working on attaining power. Later when Al Fatah underground outfit was launched many adherents of the Jamait formed part of it.

Mr. Ghulam Mohd. Sadiq during first three years as head of Administration tried to restrict the Jamait influence. lie put some restriction on tin1 Jamnit schools. With passage of time and to face the emerging problems at homennd from New Delhi became to terms with

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them and eased the restrictions. With the assumption of office as Chief Minister by Syed Mir Qasim the scene changed further. The Jamait got closer to him and to widen his political base he needed the Jamait cadres. The new rural elite that had emerged, on the political scene was heavily influenced by Jamait ideology. And it wielded lot of power in the Qasim Government. The subsequent events unfolded the real intent of the happenings of those days. Many Jamait activists were brought into Congress by Qasim to strengthen his own position. A prominent Hurriyat leader of today Abdul Ghani Lone was Education Minister in Qasim Government. A former Minister of Sadiq Government and Vice President of State Janta Dal present, Peer Ghiyasudin recalls : "Lone packed educational institutions, universities besides administration and judiciary with Jamait cadres. These cadres exercised a powerful influence on media, radio and cultural Academy".

In the meanwhile, the Jamait was busy spreading its ideology through weekly meetings in different parts of the Valley. Since the Congress and the Plebiscite Front could not come to terms Qasim was successful m persuading the Jamait leadership to participate in Assembly elections. The Plebiscite Front was banned. The Jamait was able to secure 5 seats in 1972 Assembly elections - Syed Ali Shah Geelani - was one of them-

In May 1973 JEI was in the forefront of the agitation launched from Anantnag which later spread to Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir, against the Book of Knowledge published abroad, which allegedly carried an objectionable illustration. The JEI said it hurt the sentiments of Moslems of Kashmir. The Government of India had already banned me entry of the Book into India. A frenzied mob in Srinagar burnt down the Anglican Church.

The Jamait was opposed to Indira-Sheikh accord of 1975 because it would mean ascendancy of Sheikh who considered Jamait the biggest single enemy of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. The Sheikh used the Emergency to arrest Jamait leaders and closed their schools. When the Emergency was lifted the Jamait leadership bounced back to activity. They also got back the control of their schools. Surprisingly, the Jamait allowed Syed Ali Shah Gilani to contest the Lok Sabha elections in 1977 from Baramulla constituency, as an Independent candidate. He lost the election but romped home with nearly 24% votes against the winning National Conference candidate who received little over 30% votes.

hi the Kashmir Assembly elections in 1977 the Jamait fielded 19 candidates but won only one seat. This however, did not deter Jamait from pursuing its political plans. In the 1983 election to Legislative Assembly, the Jamait put up candidates in 26 constituencies. Though it secured higher percentage of votes than 1977, it failed to win a single seat. For 7987 elections the Jamait changed its strategy. With other


political elements not accepting Kashmir's accession to India as final, the Jamait floated the Moslem United Front (MUF). It put up 41 candidates in Kashmir constituencies and 1 from Doda District. They were allowed full freedom to propagate their views, even anti-national. They were allowed to use Islamic flag and the Holy Koran to seek votes. They were allowed also to parade their candidates in funeral shrouds to convey their vow to "do or die".

The State Government did not take any action on any of these violations of law and the election code for it would have been construed as a device to keep the Islamic candidates out of the election fray. They were provided more than level playing field. After all this, there were complaints of "large-scale rigging". This orchestrated cry was to cover up their own weaknesses. The critics outside the State had their own scores to settle with Dr. Farooq Abdullah, the Abdullah clan and the National Conference. And seal on this was put by no less a person than the Governor of the State - of course not for nearly 30 months did he speak out. A courageous person would have resigned office saying that he will have nothing to do with Assembly most of whose members were not honestly elected. And not even one election petition was filed. It is not suggested that no complaint was made. From a couple of constituencies in Kashmir there were credible reports of complaints. Even if these two constituencies had returned opposition candidate heavens would not have fallen. Four MUF candidates were elected out of which three belonged to Jamait.

The Jamait members claim to be honest followers of Islam, religious and steadfast. How come all their candidates in Parliament and Assembly election from 1972 to 1987 affirmed their faith in the State and the Indian Constitution and on election took oath to uphold it. Obviously, the true Moslems took false oaths. Is this the example they want to set for the coming generations of Kashmiri Moslems - one of dishonesty, deceit, falsehood and lies? Can their professions be relied upon? They seem to have put a question mark on honesty of a Kashmiri, or his reliability and trustworthiness on his dependability. Is this part of Nizam-1-Mustafa that is being offered to Kashmir ?

To influence the minds of the youth, a students wing of the party was launched in 1977 under the name - Islami Jamait-e-Tulba. The first annual session was held in Srinagar in July 1978. Among others it was addressed by its President, Ashraf Sahrai. He listed Kashmir as a major problem before Moslems and said that the world must address itself to resolve this alongwith Palestine, Eriteria, Gypriot, Turks and Lebanon's civil war.

Having established themselves firmly in rural areas ol Kashmir by 1981-82, the Jamait experimented with establishment ot Islamic courts

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in some selected villages. Here justice was dispensed according to Shariat law. These, however, did not get acceptability by any sizeable numbers. About the same time some schools were established to impart religious education. Efforts were also made to set up women wing in its "pockets of strength".

I have already talked of the organisational set-up of the Jamait. It has four categories of members. There are ordinary members, sympathisers, influenced ones and those who accept the ideology. According to information available in 1987, the number for each category was 10,000; 25,000 and for other two, over 60,000. There is no doubt that the number has gone up manifold in the past 8 years. Every category of member is expected to contribute to Jamait funds at least 10% of his earnings. Larger donations are not uncommon.

However, the Jamait has found Kashmiris rather temperamental. The swing of their sympathy pendulum is unpredictable. When 2.A. Bhutto was hanged in Pakistan, on April 4, 1979 the public anger in Kashmir was wreaked on the Jamaities for three days without break. Official record places the death and destruction at 1 dead, and damage to property ran into crores. Over 1200 houses were burnt. So were over

; 300 shops and 22 factories. 24 Jamait offices were also torched. 651 Jamait libraries and a few vehicles of Jamaities were burnt. 45 of their schools looted and 70 orchards belonging to Jamait adherents were cut down. The angry Moslem mobs also shaved off beards of many Jamait members. And in a tew years time a common Kashmiri was again eating out of their hands. This shows the resilience of Jamait-e-Islami in Kashmir. The cycle is bound to go full circle soon.

The Jamait in Kashmir Valley and Doda District at its peak ran nearly 300 schools - big and small. Mostly religious instruction was imparted but in many a highly distorted view of public affairs and history was told to the students. They were told that material advancement, socialism, secularism, and family planning were anti-Islam. Commitment to Jehad and glory of Islam was repeated till it became part of their psyche. Most of these schools were under the control of a separate Trust - Falah-I-Aam Trust Earlier it has been written that during Emergency, Sheikh Abdullah closed their schools but were reopened after Emergency was lifted. Dr. Farooq Abdullah as Chief Minister declared his intention to close them but constitutional safeguards of minority denominational institutions stood in the way. However, Governor Jagmohan in early I99U declared the Falah-I-Aam Tiust unlawful body and closed 157 of" their schools. Arrangements were made for admission of over 15,000 students, in Government schools. What would happen to them with the return of normalcy is not easy to predict.

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128 Kashmir Underground.

There is a school of thought which believes that Jamait-e-Islami in Kashmir would not have gained influence or eminence if it did not gain first the sympathy and the support of Moslem politicians and bureaucrats who wanted a shield to cover up their ill-gotten wealth and illegal deeds. This lot of individuals very adroitly directed the ire that was building up slowly against the neo-rich Moslem elite, into channels that were secessionist and anti-India., The Moslem employees get patronage, support and even protection from the Moslem elite. It will be interesting to watch their reaction when situation becomes peaceful and various view points are aired. However, no politician or bureaucrat is on record, having refuted this assessment.

The activities of the JEI received a further boost with the visit to Kashmir in June 1980 of a special delegation from Saudi Arabia's Madine University. Jamait-e-Islami played host to it, and at length explained to the visitors their efforts at popularising their schools and informed them of teaching along fundamental lines so that an appropriate time Islamisation became easy. As a result financial assistance from Saudi Arabia increased substantially. And this was the time when due to the oil boom, petrodollars in billions were being given away for various causes.

First 7 years of the Eighties were utilised by it to spread its influence, make as many sympathisers as possible in the Government, organise more centres and consolidate the existing ones. It organised meetings to explain its creed and its programme. "It used even Friday congregations all over the Valley to convey its message- Its Ameer-e-Jammat then Ghulam Mohd. Bhat, S.A.S. Gilani various Ameer-E-Zillas like Ghulam Mohd. Shafi, Mohd. Ashraf Saraf; Hakim Ghulam Nabi; Ghulam Mohd. Saif and many others were busy addressing meetings to "awaken Kashmiris". In their speeches they questioned the accession to India, demanded right of self determination and a plebiscite under UN. They called for Islamisation of Kashmir society based on Nizam-e-Mustafa. They denounced the Indian and Jammu & Kashmir constitutions. They alleged that Islam was not safe in India and further alleged that religious practices for moslems in Kashmir had been restricted. They also denounced concepts of socialism and secularism. Equally vehemently they decried family planning as anti-Islamic and an instrument to create demographic imbalance.

Syed Ali Shah Gilani was arrested and detained in 1983. I lowever, when G.M. Shah came to power in July 1984, there were reports that the Chief Minister would release most of the political prisoners. However, there was no general deliverance from Jail. SAS Gilani was released on December 6, 1984, unexpectedly. The activities of the Mrnnit took sudden boost.

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After the violent phase of the secessionist movement had started on July 31; 1998, die JEI thrust in speeches of its functionaries was shifted. They asked Kashmiris to end "slavery under India" and to emulate the Afghan Mujahids who had taken up arms for freedom. They justified the use of gun and urged the youth to whole-heartedly participate in "Jehad which has already been launched". Syed Ali Shah Gilani on July 17,1989 declared that Jamait was "in agreement with the principles and aims and objectives of terrorists and has sympathies with them". Ten days later at Sopore Iddgah on July 29 he announced that JEI would "launch an armed struggle to seek settlement of Kashmir issue".

From the time Rubaiya Sayeed (December 1989) was abducted to the abduction and killing in April 1990, of Prof. Mushirul Haq, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, his secretary Abdul Ghani and H.L. Khera, General Manager of HMT Watch Factory, the Jamait lay low. It allowed the frenzied Kashmir youth with recent training in Pakistan and acquisition of gun to brush aside their logic, reason, persuasion and patience. Those not familiar with their functioning may have concluded that JEI had been marginalised. It was not so. They were seeing the harvest of what they had sown earlier.

The State Government on April 16,1990 under J&K Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983, declared it an unlawful association and banned all its activities for 2 years. However its work and propaganda continues underground. They had also contested the ban before the Tribunal.

Its virtual leader, Syed AH Shah Gilani, though arrested twice and released later, had been quite active. As a member of the Executive Committee of All Parties Hurriyat, Gilani addresses public meetings, press conferences, travels to Jamnwi, Delhi and other parts of the country where he meets whoever he likes including Pakistani High Commissioner or Pa kistani President while on a visit to Delhi. In Kashmir he represents Jamait whenever foreign diplomats, delegations, or journalists visit Srinagar.

The JEI allowed the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to be formed in April 1990 because it did notieel very comfortable with JKLF leading the anti-Indian movement in Kashmir with control in the hands of AmanuIIah Khan in Pakistan.

It felt a little more uncomfortable because of creation of many more outfits all being directed and provided for from across the LOG, but it seemed to be helpless. Since it could not influence the thinking of ISI in Pakistan, it decided to go along with other secessionist organisations. On the political front it decided to become part of the new alliance, the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in 1993. The JEI deputed Syed Ali Shah Gilani as its representative* on the eight member Executive Committee. 1 lowcver, I InkimGhulam Nabi continued to be the Ameer of the Jamait.


In Nomveber 1993 he was arrested from his village near Shopian. His son was an active member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and got killed in an encounter with Security Forces in Pulwama District in January 1994. The Hakim was released on February 17,1994.

For the next 2 years the JEI concentrated on its Madrassas and its cadres. In 1996 it also campaigned against participation in elections -both Parliamentary and Assembly. Its boycott call did not bring down the percentage of voting very much. The Jamait described the elections as "rigged and manipulated".

Tlie Jamait-I-Islami in Pakistan in August 1997 announced raising of 5 million strong volunteer force to "stage as Islamic Revolution in the country". The J&K Jamait-1-Islami's feelings were expressed by comment of a spokesman who said in September 1997 "the Islamic Revolution will necessarily spill over into Kashmir".

A month later JEI was in for a surprise and a shock. In its stronghold Kulgam in Anantnag District, on October 22, 1997 about 40 of its prominent activists and some former members held a meeting where terrorism was denounced. They also criticised Jamait for penchant for Jehad because they alleged this was only to "safeguard their interests". The meeting was attended by among others, by Mir Sonaullah, former District President (Amir-i-Zilla), Mohammed Amir Naqashbandi, Ghulam Rasul Sheikh and Abdus Salam Kumaar. The principal speaker was Mir Sonaullah who said they had come to the conclusion that gun cannot solve the difficulties of Kashmiris. He appealed to people to shun violence and work for peace. Mohamed Amin Naqashbandi asked people to "forgive Jamait activists for their former activities". He said . Jamait has no provision for underground activities.

Stung to the core, Jamait spokesman described this gathering one "arranged by Army of surrendered militants and other non-entities". He said former Jamait activists were "forced to criticise militancy at gun point". He said the ongoing movement is "not terrorist" but a freedom movement. He claimed that Jamait-I-Islami'is "a political and religious party and wants a peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue".

As a consequence of thes^ convulsions, for the organisation, a new Chief (Ameer) was appointed. Ghulam Mohammed Bhat - n moderate - assumed charge. He was in detention at the time though the original ban on JEI imposed in 1990 had lapsed in 1992. Another reason advanced by dissentees was their dilemma of how to reconcile the two facts "one of Geelani being strongly anti-Indian and on the other, having willingly and voluntarily accepted protection of Indian security. "How de we explain this to our supporters" said one of them.

Within a few daysS.A.S. Gillani tried to do some lire-fighting. In an •interview he said in Kashmir what is seen today is military rule and

i

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they manage all kinds of things. But he asserted that "dissent can never by tackled by force". According to him the problem in Kashmir has "its roots in discontentment with the Government, with their leaders or the system." About Pakistan support to die movement he said "Pakistan feels that they were let down at the time of Partition when the Moslem-dominated Kashmir was not allowed to join them".

The Government schools had become targets of militants attention and over 700 school buildings were burnt down in Kashmir between 1990 and 1997. In their place the Jamait tried to start as many madrasas as possible. The Government report had put the number at around 150. On December 2,1997 the Minister of State for Home Ali Mohammed Sagar gave directions that all such schools be identified and since these were illegally set up, these be closed forthwith. He described them as "schools of subversion established illegally by Jamait-I-Islami and other subversive organisations".

Touched to the quick, the JEI spokesman refuted the Minister's allegation about the Madrasas. He said that Jamait-I-Islami as such is not running any educational institution and therefore the question of illegal constructions did not arise. A government official explained that the schools were run by various different religious organisations and ( Trusts and their connections with JEI were being investigated.

As mentioned earlier there was a ferment in the cadres of the Jamait. A large section wanted to distance itself from violence and gun culture. • The new Ameer G.M Bhat was a moderate. To bring the matters to a head and also to have a consensus of the direction the Jamait should take he convened a meeting - first in 8 years - of the Majlis-e-Shoora, its highest policy making body. The meting was held on December 11, 1997 and was attended by Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who heads the Parliamentary Affairs Wing, its former President, Hakim Ghulam Nabi and senior-most member, Moulana Ghulam Ahmed Akram. The Majlis after daylong discussion declared that JEI stood for "peaceful resolution of the Kashmir problem as it involves the fate and future of over ten million people".

A spokesman of Jamait explaining its "correct position on Kashmir" said that the Majlis had endorsed the policy ennunciation of its new new Ameer, Ghulam Mohammed Bhat that "Jamait is a constitutional party that believes in a state which is Rehmat (blessings) for the people irrespective of creed, colour, religion and race". The Ameer declared that "the Party is neither a militant organisation nor is there any possibility of its being militant in future". The spokesman asserted that this declaration had unanimous support of all members of the Mnjlis-I-Shoova.

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• For next few months consultations were carried on at various levels hi the organisation to arrive at a decision about its future course. On April 15, 1998 the JEI held a day long meeting at its Batamallo Headquar te r s of its Central Advisory Commit tee (Majlis-I-Numayaindgaan). After detailed discussion the Majlis decided to reactivise the organisation. It was decided, henceforth to function strictly according to its Constitution and cadres were asked to work with determination. It was announced that all members of the CAC had approved the new policy and the programmes agreed upon.

In the meanwhile a number of public meetings had been held including one in Kulgam, where former members of JEI had denounced the use of gun and also of organisation's policies and tactics. These were extensively reported by the electronic media from Srinagar. It seemed to have politically hurt the Jamait. On December 13,1997 JEI sent two separate notices to the Directors of Radio Kashmit and Doordarshan Kendra, claiming damages of Rs 20 lacs each. The notices said the media reports had "caused an irreparable loss to Jamait" on account of diseinmination of defamatory news reports.

The Jamait reacted very strongly to the charge in the Lok Sabha made by Congress leader Rajesh Pilot that JEI was primarily responsible for the present situation in Kashmir. The charge was made by Pilot while speaking on the motion of confidence in Vajpayee Ministry, on April 8, 1998. Two days later at Srinagar the Jamait Ameer, Ghulam Mohammed Bhat, described the charge as "malicious, based on information campaign against Jamait". In his 3-page long communication to Pilot, the Jamait Chief said "it depicts how misinformed you are about Jamait". The communication claimed that "Jamait from its very inception has always employed political and democratic methods for propagating its peaceful and moral-oriented programme of welfare of mankind without any discrimination of creed, colour, race or region". Bhat vehemently denied the charge that Jamait is a terrorist or an extremist organisation or its workers and supporters are terrorist or frenzy extremists".

Me George Fernandes, Indian Defence Minister, after his visit to Kashmir in May 1998 said that India would be ready for unconditional talks with separatisms. The JEI Ameer, Ghulam Mohammed Bhat siad that he had suggested to Hurriyat to accept Fernandes's offer if Delhi does not change its stand. He expressed his doubts if bilateral talks between Indian Government and separatist leaders would prove successful because in the past dialogues between Indian Government and Kashmiri people had "proved to be a miserable failure".

The Jamait was charged by the Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah on July 13,1998 to have engineered ethnic cleansing and having destroyed Kashmir's socio-economic fabric. Next day the Jamait refuting the charge,

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blamed the Chief Minister for uprooting Jamait from Kashmir "so that no one dares to preach Islam publicly". A statement issued by Jamait described Farooq's charge as "unjust., a blatant lie and false propaganda". It claimed that Jamait-I-Islami was "a protognist of Islamic principles believing in general welfare of humanity, brotherhood and equality".

In the past few months discussion at various levels had been going on about the deviation that had taken place in Jamait from its original objective. Its Ameer, Ghulam Mohammed Bhat in his long letter to Congress leader Rajesh Pilot and later talking to the Press, had discreetly distanced the Jamait from violence and militancy.

In August, 1998 the student wing, Jamait-I-Tulba, also denounced violent means of protest. New office-bearers were appointed who believed in the new policy.

Political observers believed that Jamait had realised the futility of the militants activities because its own cadres had suffered greiviously. Accordingly, Jamait keeping its long-term objectives in mind, had ' decided to change track,

Jamait's political leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani declined to accept the new Jamait policy as ennunciated by the Jamait Ameer (Chief ) Ghulam Mohammed Bhat because "it is totally contradictory to the ongoing movement for freedom". The cleavage between the two factions is considered an important development by political observers for this is going to affect both the course of militancy and politics in Kashmir.

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Is lami Jamit-e-Tulba

This student wing of the Jamait-e-Islami has been in existence for more than two decades. Earlier it was under Azam Inqalabi and had no links with JEI.

It became active from March 1980 when it challenged the accession to India and described the Indian troops as occupation forces. Dr Yousuf-al-Umar and Tajamul Islam addressed a meeting where they declared their objective being establishment of Islamic State in Jammu & Kashmir.

Its Chief Tajam-uHslam while addressing a Press Conference on August 5,1980 denounced the Constitution of India and the State. He declared that his organisation would work to bring about in Kashmir an. Islamic Revolution on the lines of Iran. The Government headed by Sheikh Abdullah took no serious notice of this announcement because no tangible action was taken.

On June 17,1981 Tajamul Islam asked Moslem to "throw out the Government" and replace it with an Islamic State. In 1981 and in 1982 it continued to defy the Government and to indulge in provocative acts but Government took no action. In a Press Conference on December 20, 1984 the organisation challenged Kashmir's accession to India and called it a "fraud and a conspiracy".

The Jamait continued to build its cadres. It also sent Kashmir youth across to POK for training in arms and subversions. In 1989 it showed its hand when on June 13,1989 Inayat Ullah Andrabi its Nazitn-e-Alla • (Chief Organiser) lauded the revolution minded youth who took part in Jama Masjid incident to herald the beginning of the promised Revolution. He also stated that time had come to "throw out Indian occupation forces out of Kashmir".

The organisation was declared an unlawful association on April 16, 1990 by the State Government and its activities banned under J&K Crimincal Law Amendment Act 1983. Its leadership went underground.

There was no obvious activity above surface but it provided Islamic fundamentalist underpinning to most of the militant and secessionist groups all these years.

In October 1997 Press reports spoke of a Conference in Pakistan organised by Jamaite-Tulba, where it was decided that terrorist strikes in Kashmir and some other parts of India be intensified. Many Kashmiri militant outfits were represented. Some Pakistani fundamentalist groups also had their representatives. ISI had sent some senior officers who assured continued support and training. Besides this, they promised to increase financial support.

This organisation in Kashmir was inactive above surface for the second-half oi the nineties. During this period there seems there was a

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lot of introspection and discussion within its members and also with its leadership. In the middle of 1998 the names of the new office-bearers were made known. Also made public was its declared distaste for violence and militancy- It stated that henceforth it will "work for moral and educational emancipation of the Kashmir youth, particularly the student community".


Harkat -u l -Ansar

This organisation was formed in Karachi in 1980 primarily to send volunteers to Afghanistan to help Afghan rebels to fight against Soviet forces there. The headquarter of the organisation was set up at Raiwind in Punjab where it holds its annual conference. By and large it is a Sunni organisation theologically close to Deoband school of thought and draws its inspiration and volunteers from Tabliqi Jamait which carried on missionary and charitable work on the surface. Its original name was Hizb-ul-Muj ahideen.

Pakistani General, Lt. Gen. Javed Nasir was closely associated with Tabliqi Jamait while in service. He was Director General of ISI in 1993 and was removed from the post because US Administration made it one of the conditions for removing Pakistan from the watch list of state sponsors of international terrorism.

The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen decided to convert itself into an international network of fighters for defending the rights of the Muslims, after April 1992. It designated US and Israel as the main enemies of Islam. The new name selected in 1993 was Harkat-ul-Ansar (HUA). A separate group operating from Afghanistan under the name of Harkat-ul-)ihad Al-Islami, was merged with it.

Afghan veterans had been sent by HUM and HUJI from Pakistan to Kashmir in 1991 and 1992. After they had functioned rather perfunctorily the ISI decided that they better merge. They wanted better control and direction.

On December 23,1993, the new organsiation appeared in Kashmir. Here also it was formed of the existing cadres of HUM & HUJI. Maulana Abu Tayub was named the Chief, Sajjad Khan Afghani and Amjad Bilal were named the Chief Commander and Deputy Chief Commander, respectively.

The first reports estimated that within a few months HUA had a few thousand trained and equipped militants in Kashmir valley and the Doda district of Jammu. A few thousands were waiting in transit camps across the LOC.

The most daring of their early operations was abduction from Verinag (South Kashmir) environs of Major Bhupinder Singh of Border Roads Organisation and his jeep driver Ashfaq. The driver was released soon. The dead body of the Major was recovered from the roadside nearby, a day later, on January 20,1994.

In Illahi Bagh, Srinagar, an encounter lasting over 30 hours took place on January 16, 1994 with BSF. Army help was requisitioned. BSF Inspector Hardev Singh was killed. So were 4 militants.

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Increased vigilance on the part of Security Forces enabled them to arrest HUA Chief Commander Sajjad Afghani from Chattargul area of Anantnag District on February 11, 1994. With him was also arrested Mohammed Masood Azhar - a Pak national, who is General Secretary of the Harkat-ul-Ansar.

Amjad Bilal was appointed to take Sajjad Afghani's place as Chief Commander but within a week another activist was made the new commander.

In August 1994 the Harkat announced that the pilgrimage to Amar Nath Cave would not be allowed to take place. This is an annual Hindu pilgrimage to a Holy Cave beyond Pahalgam in South-east Kashmir. However, the Administration was able to conduct the Yatra without any mishap. Over 45,000 pilgrims visited the Holy Cave. The Administration mobilised various resources and frustrated the attempts to disrupt the pilgrimage. This assertion of authority disheartened the militants in general and Harkat in particular.

Jamal-ud-Din Afghani - an Afghan national and a veteran of Afghan War, had been Harkat's-Military Advisor since its inception. He was arrested by BSF in the winter of 1993-94.

Tourist traffic to Kashmir seemed to be reviving in a trickle after four years of almost total stoppage. Another outfit Allah Tigers had formally banned entry of foreign tourists into Kashmir since their "safety cannot be guaranteed. Foreigners had taken for granted that militants being anti-Indian, they would not harm foreigners.

They were taking the risk of going out into wooded areas especially'1

in the mountains for trekking and ior holidays. In June 1994, a group of British tourists had gone trekking in Aru-Liddarwat area beyond Pahalgam. Two of them David Mckay and a 14-year old boy Kim Housego were taken hostage by armed militants near Aru. Harkat claimed their abduction and wanted release of some of their colleagues in exchange for their release. There was criticism all over against the abduction of foreign tourists and appeals were made to Harkat leadership in Kashmir and also in Pakistan. After 17 days (June 23,1994) captivity the two tourists were set free in South Kashmir by eight Harkat members in the presence of newsmen. Harkat leader Zaheer Abbas who released them said "We did not take them hostages. They had trespassed into our security area and were taken into custody. They were set free after interrogation when we were satisfied that they were not spying".

While the two British tourists were the main news, the Harkat on June 13, 1994 issued a warning to all policemen associated with anti-militancy Task Force to dissociate themselves from the Force at the earliest. Those who refuse to pay heed will have to face dire consequences


- the warning stated. There was no known case of a policeman leaving the Task Force.

A number of Harkat members alongwith activists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, were holed up in the town of Charar-i-Shareef between February and May 1995. Its leading member was Abu Jindal. On the night of May 11, when most of the town and the Shrine of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din was burnt down, Abu Jindal and his group were asked to provide fire cover for the Hizb remnants under Mast Gul to break the Army cordon and escape, which they did. Abu Jindal with a few of his colleagues, were captured on May 12,1995. A week later Harkat denied the official charge that Harkat had planted land mines in the town and IEDs around the Shrine complex.

Emboldened by the refusal of Benazir Bhutto Government in Pakistan to ban it as desired by the US Administation, the Harkat-uI-Ansar warned India to desist from accusing it for terrorist acts in Kashmir. With the warning was the threat that HUA would undertake to plant bombs in different Indian cities and inflict incalculable damage. The threat was serious because now Pakistan Government was providing funds and logistics to some selected fundamentalist organisations to train a special cadre for subversion and militant related activities against "Islam's enemies". Credible reports had been received that Harkat was one such organisation which was being patronised by Pakistan Government. Such organisations admit of their role in militancy in Kashmir. One of the parent organisations of HUA, the Sipah-e-Sahaba Chief Maulana Azam Tariq said in Lahore in April 1995, "the fact that these trained young men have been fighting in the Afghan Jihad and in Kashmir is very positive. It is extremely reassuring that more and more Mujahideen are being born in Muslim ranks. We are proud of them".

In the end of January 1996 the Harkat leadership asked owners of properties rented out to Security Forces to get them vacated, for they alleged "those were being used to torture Kashmiris". The threat to destroy them was also given if these were not got vacated.

It has been widely accepted in Kashmir and outside that Al Faran organisation is an offshoot of the Harkat. Al Faran has been holding four foreign tourist hostages in high mountains of South Kashmir since July 4,1995. Harkat has always denied this but this allegation has stuck on. Appeals have been made to Harkat leadership in Kashmir, as also in Pakistan, to use their influence with Al Faran to release them now that even after one year had passed for them in captivity.

Harkat's Chief Commander Javed Ahmed Bhatt alias Sikander Khan, who is also known as [aved Dabrani, was killed in a vacant house in a locality in Annulling town when nn Improvised Explosive Device exploded on February 17,1996. Three of his associates were also killed.

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It was learnt later that Javed was fabricating an IED when it blew up. Harkat, while condoling his untimely death, described him as "a courageous, pious and religious commander" who was an expert in fabricating mines and remote control bombs. Three days later, on February 20,1996, Harkat appointed Abu Ubaid as Chief Commander. He declared that "Harkat-ul-Ansar has no connection with Al Faran, as we have said earlier also."

Its Doda District Commander Noor Mohammed was arrested in Thathri area of Doda on May 16,1996. He was reported to be a police deserter and was involved in the killing of eight BSF jawans and in killing of passengers of a bus in Kishtwar in 1994.

The US Department Report for 1994 had named Harkat-ul-Ansar as an international terrorist organisation.

The Pakistan newspaper "News" had reported on February 13,1996 that Harkat headquarter in Pakistan had admitted that it had lost more than 200 of its members killed in Kashmir upto February 1995.

In August 1997 the US was trying to track down a Saudi Arabian billionaire Osama Bin Laden who was believed to be a vital force behind all moslem fundamentalist movements around the world. CNN after interviewing Osama said he was behind most Muslim uprisings. The Indian intelligence agencies believe he has been not only funding HUA, but also helping to train their cadres in Afghanistan, which is reported to be his base at present.

On September 19, 1996 the State Government declared HUA an unlawful organisation under J&K Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983 and banned its activities. The notification said that it had been indulging \ in acts of armed violence with the help of foreign militants and foreign \ funds. It also said that it had spread fundamentalist militancy to secede the State of Jammu & Kashmir from Union of India and merge it with Pakistan, among other acts.

Arif Hussain alias Abdullah was arrested by SOG of Kashmir Police on March 15,1997 and later killed in custody, alleged Harkat. The Police however, claimed that Arif was Harkat's Financial Chief and was killed in an encounter on March 17,1997.

The HUA Acting Chief, Peer Baba alias Ghazi, a Pakistani national and his Deputy Abdul Muteeb,, also a Pakistani from Sind were in a meeting on May 6,1997 in Idgah area of Srinagar, with leaders of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. The house was surrounded by BSF. In the encounter that followed both Ghazi and Muteeb were killed while others managed to escape.

In Doda, outfit's Dawood Manhas had been very active since 1992. The police was on his trail. It was alleged that he was involved in • Barshala massacre of 15 Hindus on'January 15, 1996 and eight killings


at Kalmadi in June 1996. In Gaudali forests of Doda District on May 10, 1997 in an encounter with Police's SOG, Dawood and his associate Qari Zarar, were killed.

Sananullah alias Naeem Khalid was a Pakistani from Karachi. Before being inducted into Kashmir in 1991, he had operated in Afghanistan. In Kashmir he was soon made Harkat Commander in Anantnag District. Later he was made Acting Chief for Kashmir. In an encounter with Security Forces on June 29,1997 he was killed.

Belonging to Doda, Mohd. Salini Beg was trained in Pakistan which he visited a number of limes. In 1996 he was made Harkat Chief for Jammu area. While returning from his latest visit to Pakistan, he was arrested by Police on June 8,1997.

•Aijaz Ahmed Bhat alias Aazam, belonging to Srinagar was made Acting Chief after Nayeem Khalid was killed. In an encounter with SOG of Kashmir Police in Pandachh village near Ganderbed on August 9, 1997 he was killed. Two of his colleagues Tanvir Ahmed and Abdus Samad were also killed.

In the summer of 1997 credible reports were received by Intelligence that Harkat-ul-Ansar on directions of ISI, had sent out its trusted activists to different areas in India to locate sympathetic individuals who could be entrusted with responsibility of forming a small nucleus to be activated when required. First only moslem majority areas in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra were selected. The twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad of Andhra Pradesh were selected for special attention by HUA. There were credible reports that with cover and assistance provided by Pakistan Embassy in Nepal, the HUA operatives were able to create safe havens in Kathmandu. Kashmir militants could reach Kathmandu as Indian nationals without much difficulty. They could fly out to Pakistan. They could also re-enter India through selected points on the Indo-Nepalese border. In Nepal these operatives did not face any problem in securing unlimited funds largely through an influential Nepalese Moslem politician - Mirza Dilshad Beg, it was alleged.

For quite some time the United Stated had been feeling concerned about terrorist activities on the American soil and the world over. After bombing of a federal building in Oklahoma City in April 1995, attention was focused on the Federal Administration and the Congress. In 1996 the Congress enacted the "Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act 1996". The law provides for imprisonment upto 10 years for those who will viola te the law by supporting the terrorist groups notified under this law. The law prohibits "any contribution to a foreign terrorist organisation regardless of the intended purpose, unless the contribution is limited to medicine or religious materials". It also asks US financial institutions to block those funds of the designated foreign terrorist

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organisations or their agents over which they have possession or control. They will be subject to civil penalties and possible criminal prosecution if they fail to conform to the law and regulations.

Sri Lankan Government and many others had complained to US Administration to declare LTTE and many others the world over, as terrorist organisations.

Following the abduction of foreign tourists in Kashmir in 1995 and then the detention of four of them as hostages, one of whom was an American national, demand was made in US for declaring Harkat-ul-Ansar whose small outfit Al Faran was alleged to be responsible for it, as a terrorist organisation under the law. Pressed from all sides, the Clinton Administration was forced to declare the Pakistan-based Harkat-ul-Ansar, LTTE and 28 other organisations in different countries, as terrorist under this law.

In Washington on October, 1997 the Secretary of State Ms Madelein Albright announced at a Press Conference banning of 30 such organisations. She said their goal was to "make the United States a fully no-support-for-terrorism zone". In a statement President Clinton said "now we will work to uncover those who raise money for (such groups) in America and encourage our friends and allies to do the same within their own borders". He further said "today's action sends a clear message. The path to change is through dialogue and open deliberation, not violence and hatred". The notification under this law will expire after two years unless renewed.

Harkat-ul-Ansar expectedly reacted strongly. From Islamabad it issued a statement on October 9, which refuted that it was a terrorist organisation. Pakistan's ISI continued to support HUA inspite of this ban.

With life returning fast to normal in Srinagar and large number of tourists coming to Kashmir in May 1998, HUA reportedly received directions from the other side of LOC to disrupt life by serial detonation in different parts of the City. On May 28 on being tipped off, the Police raided a well-camouflaged hideout in downtown area and recovered large quantities of explosives, IEDs, detonators, remote control'devices, cordex wire, battery chargers.

Hurriyat activists had been going round claiming that the umbrella organisation represented all underground and overground secessionist organisations. The Harkat-ul-Ansar was forced to refute this claim. On June 4,1998 the HUA Chief in a statement declared that HUA had nothing to do with APHC The statement said HUA did not believe in politics. "We are fighting for the supremacy of Islam. We ask people in so called politics and so called militant outfits to work within Islamic limits or face the consequences. The ongoing movement is not a secular war but


has been launched for freedom and Islamisation", the statement declared. For a long time it had been known that cadres of Harka t-ul-Ansar

received advance training in Afghanistan in camps at Khost and in Jalalabad Province. When US missiles targetted Bin Laden's camps in Afghanistan, three were such where Kashmiri militants were trained. Reports from Islamabad on August 22,1998 identified the Commandant of the HUA camps was a Pakistani national Saiful Islam Akhtar who had "produced hundreds of Mujahideen" for operations in Kashmir. Early reports from Islamabad had mentioned 7 Harkat activists killed in US strike. However on August 27, a leading Kashmiri militant at Srinagar confirmed that at least 24 Kashmiri trainees had been killed in the missile attack. Saifullah Khalid, Deputy Chief of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in a statement alleged that "the Government of India carried missile attacks through USA". The Washington Times on September 6 reported that Harkat camps in Afghanistan were the worst sufferers in the US attack. According to it, HUA's 'Al Badr' Camp received 11 missile hits. The report sent by Pakistani journalist Rahimullah Yousafzai was after he visited the camp.

Wanting to have as tight a control as possible the ISI was reported in September 1998, to have floated a new outfit Harkat-ul-Jehad Islamee Tanzeem. It was soon known that elements from Harkat-ul-Ansar and some from Lashkar-I-Toiba were brought into it with the specified task • of engineering communal disturbances in Jammu and Kashmir as also other parts of India. In the meantime, to bypass the US ban on Harkat-ul-Ansar, the ISI renamed it as Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. Indications were available in Kashmir that this management did not go down well with Kashmiri elements in the HUA. The ISI it seemed, decided not to press this point beyond a point. The I-IUA therefore continued to function as * before.

The HUA Chief in Kashmir was Mohammad Yousaf Chowhan who was in reality the Imam of Khalifapura Masjid in Srinagar. He operated under a number of code-names like Mohammed Shafi, Molvi, Younis, etc. Before he became the Harkat Chief, he was the Chairman of HUA Executive and represented it in the Shoora-I-Jehad Council. On November 7,1998 the Kashmir Police's SOG arrested him from Khanyar locality in downtown Srinagar.

Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen i (Moslem Brotherhood)

In Srinagar in 1986, the Students Liberation Front was set up secretly, lis Chief was I Iilal Ahmed Beg (who earlier for some time was a daily wager in Kndio Kashmir). Il was joined by many young men including

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students. Many of them went across the LOC for training in arms and subversion. These on return to Kashmiri took active part in subversive work and were considered responsible for many explosions in 1989.

Its members were also alleged to have been part of the conspiracy to abduct Dr. Rubiya Sayeed, daughter of the Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohd. Sayeed, in December 1989. Later in April 1990, its members were alleged to be involved in the abduction and killing later of Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, his Secretary Abdul Ghani, Mr. H.L. Khera — General Manager of the HMT Watch Factory. Among the members accused were Hilal Ahmed Beg and Javed Ahmed Shalla. In 1991, many of the SLF members including Manzoor Ahmed Mir, were allegedly involved in abduction of IOC Executive Director Doraiswamy and Ms. Nahida Soz, daughter of Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz, a National Conference leader.

On April 28, 1991-HilaI Ahmed Beg announced that Student Liberation Front had been converted into Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He also declared that its principal objective would be establishment in Jammu & Kashmir of Nizam-e-Mustafa (a truly Islamic State). Some time later Altaf Ahmed Quereshi alias Abu Rashid took over as its Acting Chief. After a meeting of the Ikhwan leadership on August 3,1991, Abu Rashid warned detractors (without nanu'ng JKLF and the like) not to "play Delhi's game and start a civil war in Kashmir". He also talked of "vested interests who have evil designs against peoples movement".

Ikhwan claimed that in 1991 it had over 7000 armed members in Kashmir Valley. It was also one of the few organisations where a militant could resign from the outfit. In September 1991 District Chief of Pulwama and also its Publicity Inchaige Rashid Khan and Saleem Khan resigned alleging that Ikhwan was now indulging in anti-people activities and causing a lot of resentment among people.

On June 20, 1992 a party reorganisation was announced. The Supreme Council retained Hilal Beg as Party Chief Zubair Ahmed was named Deputy Chief. Abu Rashid was made the Chief Commander. Zahoor Afghani and Niaz Ahmed were made the Chief Organisers. In an encounter on October 3, 1992 Abu Rashid was killed. A few days earlier, in an interview lie had urged Kashmiris not to rest till they set up an Islamic State.

On October 5,1992 the place of Abu Rashid was taken up by Omar Hyat Quereshi alias Dr. Haider. A month later on November 11,1992 he was killed in an encounter. Two days later one of its very experienced Commanders, Mohammed Sheikh "Cobra" was arrested.

The Ikhwan became desperate after a number of setbacks. To retrieve its honour and reputation it launched "Operation Black Death". On

- 144 Kashmir Underground

March 3, 1993 it claimed the killing of Ghulam Nabi Baba, a former Assistant Commissioner.

On March 31,1993 one of Ikhwan's senior activists Mohammed Yasin Butt warned the Government of serious consequences unless they disclosed the whereabouts of two of its senior leaders - Javed Ahmed Shalla and Mohammed Sidiq Sofi. It was alleged that both had been arrest?d in March 1992 from a hideout in Bemina Colony of Srinagar.

Its Military Advisor, Nazir Ahmed Magrey was killed on May 28, 1993 in an encounter with Security Forces. His place was taken by Syed ' Muzaffar Meeraj. On June 15, 1993, to strengthen the outfit, two handpicked militants were appointed as Organisers - Shahnaz Khan as Chief Organiser and Imtiaz Khan as Deputy Chief Organiser.

Generally, the calls for hartal for more than a day were not being heeded. But when Ikhwan called for a 5-day strike following firing by Security Forces in Daribal area of Srinagar on August 1, in which 4 of a family were killed in the firing, they responded. On August 6, 1993 Syed Muzaffar Meeraj, the Military Advisor, commended Srinagar citizens for their "wonderful response". He said that this also proved

\ that the ongoing movement had total public support. Not content with its operational set-up, the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen

went in for a thorough revamping on September 16,1993. Abu Obaid Rehmani was made the new Chief while Syed Asif Iqbal was to be the new Deputy Chief. Major bhaq was appointed "Military Advisor". Er. Khaliquzaman was to act as Chief Organiser. Public Relations will be handled by Dr. Waheed while Prof. Javed will be the Publicity Incharge. Gul Hamid would lead its Intelligence wing.

An important member of Ikhwan, Mehraj-ud-Din alias Lalla, was ' arrested on November 5,1993 by BSF from Batamaloo locality of Srinagar. His dead body was found lying on a road in the same locality at night on November 20. The Police alleged that he got shot when he attempted to escape from custody while Ikhwan alleged that he had been tortured during interrogation. There were protest demonstrations next day and this part of Srinagar observed hartal. Later curfew was imposed because the crowds were uncontrollable.

A former member'of some importance - Tahir Mir had been in detention for the past 3Vfe years. He sent a statement on December 12, 1993 from Poonch Jail exhorting all militants not to deflect from "the chosen path of armed struggle to achieve freedom". The statement further stated "Ours' is a peoples' movement and the spirit emanates from sufferings we have borne with our heads high. A revolution nourished by blood always grows stronger and that is the lesson of history which New Delhi should take note of." He also appealed to UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros Clhali to "intervene in Kashmir and help solve

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this dispute. Having failed in our peaceful agitation for 42 years we resorted to armed struggle which is our inherent right".

Ikhwan decided upon a no-tax campaign. On December 24,1994 its leader, Hilal Ahmed Beg asked people of Kashmir to stop paying taxes to the Government. In a statement he warned "those of dire consequences who are in league with the government and are motivating people to cooperate with it for paying taxes and other dues". The statement further said "the ban on the payment of taxes was imposed in the beginning of the ongoing armed struggle and is still in force and anyone who is found flouting this directive will be dealt with sternly." Beg also asked people to non-cooperate with Government till the goal of "Azaadi" was achieved.

Police had been on the lookout for alleged killers oi Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, since April 1990. On November 8, 1993 the Police nabbed Mohd. Ashraf Bhat, Deputy Commander of the outfit who was alleged to be one of the killers.

In the first half of 1994 major militant outfits were witness to many intergroup clashes. The leadership of Ikhwan seemed to be anxious to reduce this tendency. Its Supreme Council held a special session in early June 1994, where this problem was discussed for many hours. On June IS, 1994 Ikhwan Vice Chairman Zahoor Afghani announced suspension of all Ikhwan activities for one month for "forging unity". The Ikhwan advocated a Unified Command to conduct the "Azaadi movement "in Kashmir.

In the rest of India there was a lot of controversy about the whereabouts of Tiger Memon - one of alleged accuse of the recent Bombay serial blasts. In October 1994 at a Press Meet in Srinagar organised by Ikhwan, a video cassette was screened which claimed to eatablish that Tiger Memon was "somewhere in Kashmir". One of the shots showed Memon with an Ikhwan leader Sajjad Ahmed Kenno just behind his shoulder. The State and the Central Government Intelligence agencies however, discounted the story. In any case, no other proof of his presence in Kashmir could be provided. The Police claimed that the video recording had been done outside Kashmir^jnay be in Nepal, and then sent here. It was screened in Srinagar to confuse the authorities about the trails of Tiger Memon.

Some secessionist leaders seemed to soften their attitude towards Delhi when 1995 dawned. Prof. Abdul Ghani of Hurriyat Conference visited Delhi and addressed a Press Conference. Ikhwan considered his statement at Delhi as weakening of the resolve of Kashmiri people. On January 24,1995 Ikhwan Chief Hilal Ahmed Beg directed his cadres to kill Prof. Ghani for his "anti-freedom statements" at Delhi. He also claimed that his own intelligence had established that Prof. Ghani was involved in anti-militnncy activities.


An important member, Sajjad Ahmed Kenno was in the Joint Interrogation Centre at Rangreth/ near the Old Airport, Srinagar in June

- 1995, from where he managed to escape. Soon after he announced Ikhwan would henceforth be known as J&K Islamic Front. Many members who were not in agreenient or were disenchanted either joined other groups or formed new groups. Thus were born Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon, Ummati Musalmoon, Ikhwan (South).

Kenno was reported to have spent sometime in Delhi to organise a network there. He returned to Srinagar towards the end of November 1995 and got busy m srrengrhemTig te base. H E -used to Vio\d meetings in different parts of Srinagar and give directions. While he was engaged in a meeting like this on the outskirts of Srinagar on December 1,1995, the Security Forces, on the basis of firm information, surrounded the hideout and arrested him. Police alleged that on January 7, 1996 he tried to escape and while doing so was shot dead by SOG of the State Police. Police claimed that Kenno was involved in a number of abductions earlier. These included Nahida Soz, Doraiswamy, Khera and Mir Nassarullah, and killing of Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq - Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University.

Kenno's place was filled up by Prof. Feroz Illahi who was made Acting Supreme Commander on January 10, 1996. For the next 15-20 days Police increased its vigil in Jammu area for it had reports that senior members would escape to Jammu since the police dragnet in Kashmir was zeroing in on them one by one.

On February 20, 1996 an important member Bilal Ahmed was arrested from a city hotel in Jammu. He was allegedly involved in a number of attacks on BSF in Srinagar and also in the shootout in 1991 in Jewel Chowk.

One of its senior activists Tahir Mir was first arrested in 1990 but was acquitted in a number of cases over the years. Last time he was bailed out on September 13,1996 and freed from jail. He was re-arrested on September 17. The TADA designated court bailed him out on April 12,1997 but police'said he was involved in 3 other cases.

Lashkar-e-Toiba (Army of the Pure)

This is an organisation which is founded on fundamentalism and fired by Islamist extremism. Its centr.il office and academy - Markaz-I-Dawat Arslind - which produces its highly committed cadres, is at Muridke -some 30 kilometers north of Lahore. Under its banner foreign mercenaries came to Kahsmir in 1993 and were dispersed to mountainous areas.

http://centr.il

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First they cooperated with Al Burq, but later, on directions from Pakistan it started working with Harkat-ul-Ansar. Kashmir young men of promise were selected and sent for intensive training to LET camps located in Punjab, NWFP and border areas of Afghanistan.

In 1993 Islami Inqalabi Mahaz had been set up in Poonch District with the help provided by ISI officials, Col Murtaza Gilani and Major Hasan, from across the LOG A batch of 12 LET operatives - Afghans and Pakistanis, was infiltrated into Poonch area. They were heavily armed and attacked an army camp at Balnoi. Two armymen were killed and a few injured. Three militants lost their lives and five were captured.

In 1994 the Lashkar-e-Toiba was ready for major actions in Kashmir Valley. On October 29, a group of 50 activists attacked an Army patrol in North Kashmir in which three of its cadres were killed.

Two of its important functionaries were eliminated in 1995. Lashkar-e-Toiba's General Secretary Showkat Azhar - a Pakistani from Bhawalpur got arrested in September. The Chief Commander Shams-ul-Rehman, along with five colleagues was killed on May 26,1995 in Budgam District in an encounter with Security Forces.

Elections to Parliament and to State Legislative Assembly were held all over Jammu & Kashmir inspite of desperate efforts made by militants all through 1996. Not having succeeded in Kashmir Valley, the Lashkar-e-Toiba commandos decided to concentrate on vulnerable areas of Jammu region. Mohammed Saleem was made Jammu District Commander. Soon after, he went over to Pakistan in late 1996 for instructions about new strategies and operations. He sneaked back to Jammu in May 1997. Police was on his track and arrested him on June 8.

Lashkar leadership felt that pressure should be kept up in North Kashmir. By the middle of 1997 it had created a reasonable base in Kupwara District. In Jammu region it had consolidated in Doda District and spread its network in farflung and inaccessible areas of Poonch and Rajouri Districts. The local militants in Kashmir Valley had become wary of the Lashkar-e-Toiba especially because most of ite cadres were Punjabi Musalmans and by tradition there is no love lost between the two. They were more fundamentalist and more committed than many other outfits. The Lashkar-e-Toiba cadres prefer to die in an encounter with security forces rather than be arrested. This is proved by the fact that in 1997 the largest grup of militants that got killed belonged to Lashkar-e-Toiba.

In their gameplan of targeting members of one .community to engineer communal passion of the other community, the Lashkar-e-Toiba failed both in Doda as also in Poonch and Rajouri Districts.'

In September 1997 a large group of Lashkar-e-Toiba activists with some Harkat militants as guides, were on the run in Budgam District in September 1997. The Armymen were able to push them up in higher

148 Kashmir Undergroun

readies and then engage them after surrounding them. In a two-batallio ' operation - the biggest single one in the Valley in the last 3 years - th Rashtriya Rifles was able to eliminate 16 of its cadres - all foreigner; The encounter took place on September 21,1997 hi village Latinoo just kms from Beerwah town. The militants were heavily armed since arm recovered included 14 AK-47 assault rifles, 10 disposable rocket launchers and rockets, pistols and two wireless sets.

A month later in Shopian area Lashkar-e-Toiba cadres visited ; couple of villages and sought information about Security Forces wh< were informed about the presence of militants. On October 27 a* encounter took place near Chak-e-Cholona and a Pakistani member o Lashkar-e-Toiba was killed. He was identified as Irfan Sayeed alias Syec Abdullah, a resident of Multan (Pakistan),

Pakistan's ISI was reported to have "entrusted" operations in Poond and Rajouri Districts to Lashkar-e-Toiba which will spearhead a join force of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Anasar and Lashkar-e-Toiba This operation was to be controlled and directed by ISI set up a Kotl. (POK) under the command of ISI Lt. Col. Sayeed. The Lashkar-e-Toibe cadres made inroads into the interior area s of Poonch District. In the latter half of 1997 the Lashkar-e-Toiba militants killed about 12 persons in isolated hamlets in the most gruesome manner by slitting the throats and then beheading the victims. On November 2,1997 in an encounter in Bafliaz area on November 2, the leader of this gang Abu Zubair - a Pakistani national - was killed. He was a daredevil, a hardcore militanl and a committed fundamentalist to whom slow methods of killing were not abhorent. Between April 13 and September 22,1997 he had brutally killed nine persons including two women.

On the other side of the Pir Panjal range, the Lashkar cadres had activised themselves in North Kashmir. In this area also they had been directed to operate in close cooperation with Hizb militants. On receiving authentic information the armymen surrounded the Aadipora village near Sopore. On November 29,1997 in the encounter, Lashkar's Districl Commander Omar Zaman - a Pakistani national - was killed along witl-two others.

A month later the Lashkar activists had congregated in Rajwar fores area near Handwara in Kupwara District. For 3 previous years this are* had been described as "Chota Afghanisan"- miniature Afghanistan because a large number of foreign mercenaries had "occupied" this forested area of Zachaldara. Three senior Lashkar activists including one Area Commander was killed on December 31,1997 when the Securih Forces surrounded their hideout.

1998 again saw the Lashkar-e-Toiba shifting its attention to [amnu region. In spring it was clear that its main activity in the next few month

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would be in Rajouri and Poonch Districts. In July intelligence gathered by the Army mentioned presence of small bands of militants in the wooded areas in the upper reaches of Surankot area in Poonch District. Armymen surrounded the area and squeezed the cordon forcing the militants to start firing. This was effectively replied to. This engagement of July 26 left 5 militants dead. Their leader - District Commander -was an Afghan national Abu Adil, also known as "Shahji". The other four were Pakistanis, who had been Local Area Commanders in Poonch District and had gathered here to plan some operations. They were identified as Mohd. ffanief (of* Lahore), Abu Jar Cor' Gujranwafa), Abu Khamda Gaznavi (of Multan) and Abu Hamza alias Mohammed Shahid (of Sheikupura).

The Lashkar-e-Toiba Chief Commander for Jammu & Kashmir Atta-ur-Rehman (code name Qari) - a Pakistani Punjabi - was concerned about total elimination of Lashkar-e-Toiba Command in Poonch area. He was known to have visited the area soon after and helped to restructure the set-up. In the meantime, in Kashmir a new Deputy Commander had been nominated. He was Abu Duziana (of Sialkote). New District Commanders - all Pakistanis - were also nominated. They would supervise operations in Srinagar, Budgam, Anantnag, Kupwara, Baramullah and Pulwama. Doda was to be looked after by Abu Moosa assisted by Abu Daja and Khalici Bhai.

The Lashkar-e-Toiba has a few training camps in Pakistan but the principal one is at Muridke inside the Markaz-e-Dawat-ul-Arshad. This sprawling campus of over 200 aces is the headquarters of this extremist Islamic organisation whose declared objective is establishment of pure Islamic order starting with Kashmir. This heavily guarded and fortified complex, has 6 mosques, a hospital, an academy besides special schools for specialised training.

Markaz was formed in early eighties and was sponsored by Jamait-e-Aihle-e-Hadees. Its trained cadres are not asked to work against only non-Moslems (Kafirs) but also against those sects of Moslems like Ahmediyas who are not accepted in Pakistan, as true Moslems. The Markaz advocates elimination of all those who do not implement Islamic laws. From the Markaz are s^nt out trained and fully indoctrined volunteers (whose families back home are cared for by the Markaz as per its arrested cadr§§) to participate in Jehad in Kashmir and some other foreign countries. According to the interrogation of some of its arrested cadres, Lashkar-e-Toiba members are given specific and professional training in sabotage, subversion and ambush. Two of their important training camps were identified as Kunar near Afghan border and Chahlcbnandi.


The Makaz has close links with the Moslem world's most well-known fundamentalist groups like "AL Gamma-Al-Islamiya" of Egypt, the

*"Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen" of Sudan and the Islamic extremist groups of Algeria.

. In early 1994, the Markaz opened a branch in United Kingdom. To the foreign fraternal organisation special delegates were sent from time to time. Once a year the Markaz holds its Annual Conference when fraternal delegates from 30-35 countries are present. Many important Pakistani leaders visit the Markaz frequently. Among them are Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Hamid Gul, former Director General of ISI and Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Chief of Pakistan's Jamait-I-Islami.

It is public knowledge that since 1992 the Markaz has set up 55 religious schools (Madrasas) in Punjab alone and its message of Islamic revolution has found ready recruits. Zafar Iqbal, who heads the educational set-up says "Most people think religious people are terrorists. But terrorism is being created by non-religious education". And Chief of the Markaz, Hafiz Mohd. Saeed has his own definition. He says "Terrorists are killers; they kidnap and murder the innocents. But Jihad is to help the poor, the weak and the starving and to establish the supremacy of Allah. Only those who are against Allah are killed and those who oppress the poor and weak. Only the tyrants". On democracy he says, "The democratic system is not Islamic but a Jewish and Christian import from Europe. We should not let it thrive here. In Islam, God is the ruler, but democracy gives right to all people".

In February 1998, Pakistan's Jeading monthly magazine Herald carried a cover story on the activities of the Markaz. The article had spoken of regular arms training being imparted to young men and then sending them to Kashmir to fight the Indian Army.

On April 19,1998 the Markaz was paid an official visit by Federal Minister of Information - Mushahid Hussain, accompanied by Punjab Governor Shahid Hamid and some Provincial Ministers. According to leading Fakistani Urdu daily Khabrain the Pakistan Minister not only hailed the activities of the Markaz which trains and maintains Lashkar-e-Toiba, but also said that here the true concept of Islamic Jehad (holy war) was being taught. This was the first ever visit of any Pakistani Minister to the Markaz since it was set up about 10 years ago. The BBC took notice of the visit and described it as extraordinary as Lashkar-e-Toiba had been claiming responsibility for militant*activities in Jammu & Kashmir.

Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, the head of the Markaz Dawa-ul-Irshad, claimed that such visits by high Pakistani Government representatives would remove all misconceptions about his organisation. Saeed further said that after liberation of Kashmir, his organisation would launch

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a Jehad (holy war) for liberation of "20 crore oppressed Indian Moslems".

This visit by the Federal Minister and Punjab Governor to the Markaz was severely criticised by some Pakistanis including the prestigious Daily Dawn.

Islamic Students League

In 1985 tliis body of students was formed in Srinagar by five young men who in a few years would be important players in the underground movement in Kashmir. They were Shiikeel Ahmed Bakshi, Ashfaq Majid Wani, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Javed Ahmed Mir and Mohammed Yasin Malik. Soon they were joined by Aijaz Ahmed Dar, Hilal Ahmed Beigh and Mushtaq Ahmed,

Hamid Sheikh, Ashfaq Majid, Javed Ahmed and Yasin Malik were the core group which came to be known as HAJY Group. This Group went over to JKLF a year or so later and formed the nucleus of JKLF in Kashmir Valley.

The Islamic Students League does not recognise the accession of Kashmir to India. It also totally reject the "un-Islamic and man-made concepts of socialism and secularism". According to Bakshi the "Islamic Students League appreciates masses and Mujahids for having launched a war of assertion against Indian arrogance and occupation. It views with concern the negligence of various organisations to give the war a realistic perspective, proper content and direction". He laments that "no step has been taken to prepare the people for a prolonged struggle, instead they are being fed on euphorias. With limited resources.and a shattered economy, Kashmiris can't fight a big enemy for a long time. A lot needs to be done to survive and struggle till the logical conclusion". He was very concerned about "the negative attitude of the intellectuals i in this perspective and their apathy towards their own people. The intellectuals are busy in minting money and exploiting the movement and the freedom fighters for their petty interests". Shakeel Bakshi said ' in anguish "What this class of people must realise is that the freedom "' movement is not a part-time joke. It has not been started to provide a better standard of living to this particular class of the society".

The Islamic Students League was not happy with the American attitude towards the sufferings of Kashmiri people and criticised the "so-called Godfather towards Kashmir issue. These forces can go to the extent of waging war to safeguard the interest of a monarchy but have totally ignored the cries and flames in Kashmir".

In November 1992 A. Alam was made its Acting Chairman. On November 25 he told the Press that "use of gun is pressure tactics we are using to achieve right of self-determination. Gun has to be the watchdog

,152 Kashmir Underground

of the freedom movement". He said the Islamic Students League was against any division of Jammu & Kashmir State and "reject any such piopDScA a& a ,soViAk>Yi o5 tinis picfctem. TVie \s\arme SfraderAs League also does not subscribe to the idea of independence of J&K State for it believes it will complicate further this problem".

The party was reorganised in February 1993. Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi (in detention) was made the Chief Patron and Moulvi Ahsan-ul-Haq was promoted as Chairman Dr. Ghulam Qadir Wani stepped in as Acting Chairman. He was asked to look after "external affairs" also. Dr. Naseer Ahmed took over as General Secretary and Mushtaq Jalal was made the Chief Organiser. The Islamic Students League then asked the people in Kashmir to launch a civil disobedience movement. They were asked not to pay any fees or taxes to the Government, Central or State.

Although the State Government declared the Islamic Students League as an unlawful body and banned it on April 16,1990, it has been quite active even after that. From detention Shakeel Bakshi issued a

to the '"ongoing movement" so that it can be taken to its logical conclusion. He advocated a Umted Front comprising of all like-minded parties and groups so that "all our energies are used for the fulfillment of our cherished goal". He wanted a delegation of representative Kashmiris to be sent on an all-India tour to "educate people there about Kashmir dispute and present a real picture before them". About the Kashmiri Pandits, he said that "Islamic Students League considers them part and parcel of Kashmir's history and ethos and were inseparable from the majority community". He hoped that day was not far when the "two communities will again come closer and the old days will be revived when both lived together and shared each others joys and sorrows". Regarding a lasting solution of the Kashmir issue the Islamic Students League believes that only a solution which is acceptable to all the three regions of tfte State and to India and Pakistan, will be enduring.

The Islamic Students League leader Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi was released from detention on bail on June 25,1996.

Moslem Janbaz Force Al Jehad

The J&K Peoples' League in 1990 established its armed wing and named in Moslem Janbaz Force (MJF). It was floated under the grandoise name "Farzandan-I-Millat", but was soon given up for Moslem Janbaz Force. Its first Chairman was Babbar Badr (Firdous Ahmed Baba). Eailier Hnkim Naved Anjam of Bnramullah had gone across the I.OC tor .speual

file:///s/arme

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training on completion of which he was sent back to establish Farzandan-I-Millat. After Badr assumed leadership he established a network and recruited and trained over 4000 cadres. Also established was a War Council to chalk out an operational strategy. It's first major action was abduction of two Swede engineers (working on Uri Hydel Project) on March 31,1991. This was done primarily to catch the world's attention. A month earlier Babbar Badr had claimed that over 99% of people in Jammu & Kashmir supported "peoples' movement and are against the Indian occupation". He expressed determination of the Moslem Janbaz Force not to give up the struggle till "our goal is achieved". He said Moslem Janbaz Force was convinced that frequent announcements by Government about destruction of bridges, buildings and houses and other properties was part of the dis-information campaign and was not based on facts.

In April 1991 Badr was arrested. Pervez Haider was made the Acting Chief. While Badr was in jail Moslem Janbaz Force was converted into Al Jehad. Later, in the end of 1991, Jehad Force headed by Sheikh Abdul Aziz, merged with it and Aziz was named the Supreme Commander of the Al Jehad. New Chief, Sheikh Abdul Aziz declared that jailed Supremo of Peoples' League - Syed Shabir Ahmed Shah, would be the Patron and Farroq Rehmani would be the Co-Patron. "Both are equally respectable in our eyes and will continue to inspire our cadres and our people" he added.

Its Military Advisor, Javed Ahmed Dar alias "Chengez Khan" was arrested on November 11,1992. It suffered other setbacks in the next few months. Its senior leader Zubair Ahmed was killed in Jammu in January 1993 and Maulana Ghiyas-ud-Din, its Chief was killed on March r-13,1993. Sheikh Abdul Aziz, its Chief Commander, had allegedly killed t 13 Kashmiri Pandits in Pampore area earlier. He was arrested by Army ' troops on May 21,1993. In his place Altaf Alamgir (Bilal Ahmed) was' 4

appointed Acting Chief. He too, was arrested by Security Forces on' May 22,1993. Next day his place was taken by Khalil-ur-Rehman, who became the Acting Chief.

In Jammu City on February 1,1993, the Area Commander Raja Khalid Manhas was spotted in a lane, caught by the people and beaten badly. i He later died in the hospital. Police alleged that Manhas was responsible for many bomb blasts, rocket attacks and grenade throwing in Jammu City in July and December 1990, and September 1992.

Al Jehad rejected outright the solution of Kashmir issue through tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and representatives of Kashmir. . Its Supreme Commander, Khalil-ur-Rehman on June 7, 1993 in a • statement said "only viable solution of the Kashmir issue is the


implements tion of the UN Resolutions for holding of a plebiscite in the State".

On June 23, 1993 Jamal Afghani was named the new Supreme Commander. A fortnight later, on July 8,1993 the AI Jehad suffered a major setback when five of its top leaders were arrested by the Security Forces. They were: Abdul Qayoom Bilour, Mohammed Yousof Wani, Dawood Ahmed Dar, all Divisional Commanders and Abdul Majid Dar, Chief Motivator and Recruiter.

Al Jehad is convinced that militancy would come to an end when people stop supporting it. This view was expressed by its former Supremo, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who is in jail. Talking to the Press inside the jail premises on August 22,1993 he said "Kashmiris can ill-afford the present a ttrition ra te between the guns and pressure of militants and the Security Forces". Militants have started feeling they are facing an "unequal battle" he stated. He regretted that the level of enthusiasm in Kashmir was falling and that coercion had to be used to recruit young men for training in Pakistan. About Afghan mercenaries he said, "We have not invited them here. We don't want them here. But we can't send them back". He was of the view that their presence in Kashmir, would damage the movement.

Sheikh Abdul Aziz who claims to have taken part in Afghan Mujahideen campaign said he returned disenchanted as "ultimately it had turned out only to be a struggle for power".

On October 23, 1993 Acting Supreme Commander, Khalil-ur-Rehman alongwith his bodyguard was killed by Security Forces in Pohru-Kakapore area of Pulwama District. On December 16,1993 Jamal Afghani (Abdul Khaliq) Acting Supremo was killed in exchange of fire with BSF jawans in Baramulla District. However, Al Jehad alleged that Jamal was tortured in custody. The Chief Area Commander for Kupwara District, Farooq Ahmed alias "Col. Haider" was arrested by State Police in Jammu City on December 20,1993. He had two Kashmiri girls with him allegedly abducted from the Valley.

Babbar Badr who had been released a few months earlier, had consulted some like-minded workers in the Party. Thereafter he decided to pull out and on January 12,1994 he announced the revival of Moslem Janbaz Force. While Badr was made its Patron, Shams-ur-Rehman Akhtar was made the Chief Commander. Badr declared that Moslem Janbaz Force would "carry on the armed struggle till the right of self-determination was granted to the people of Kashmir". He described the gun as the heart of the movement and politics its brain. He wanted both to cooperate fully and work together.

Al Jehad had earlier put a ban on the functioning of Malinson School-in Srinngnr. On Decomber 22, 1994 this ban was lifted after the outfit

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had satisfied itself that the teaching was not un-Islamic. On June 15,1994, Salar-1-Aalla (Supreme Commander) Nazir Ahmed

Shah alias Aziz-ur-Rehman, was killed at Bemina on the outskirts of Srinagar, by the Security Forces.

On October, 1994 Al Jehad and Jehad Force merged to form Al Fateh Force. The Chief Commander of Al Jehad, Yunis Khalid was made its Acting Deputy Chief Commander. However, on October 18,1994 he was injured in an encounter with Security Forces. Since the injury was serious he may have died soon after because within a few days new-appointments were announced: Gowhar Illahi was named the new Chief. Samad Khan was made new Launching Chief. Zain-ul-Abdin was named Chief Commander and Mir Niyazi was made Divisional Commander.

The organisation, finding that students interest was declining in the ongoing movement and in an effort to keep them away from fun and frolic, announced in June 1995 a ban on picnics and excursions by the general public and students to Moghul Gardens and other places. On June 14,1995 its spokesman said all cultural activities stood banned all over Kashmir. According to it, cultural shows were "totally un-Islamic and anti-movement". A week later it also asked all Nambardars (petty revenue officials in villages) to resign from their posts so that they may not be used by Security Forces. It had no effect at all.

In early July 1995 Al Jehad suffered loss of its Srinagar Divisional Commander, Mohammed Yusuf Hazari alias "Muzzamil" when he was killed in an encounter with BSF.

In the name of "Government o£ Al Jehad" an order was issued on October 12,1995 warning government officials to keep off election duty or else be "prepared for death". Seven officers from Jammu region who had agreed to work as Returning Officers for proposed elections, were marked for "elimination".

Babbar Badr and three leaders of other outfits announced on February 8,1996 that they had decided to renounce the gun and were prepared for a dialogue with Delhi, to find a solution of the Kashmir tangle. On February 27, 1996 fifteen activists of Jammu region also decided to support this proposal. They were:

1. AdilAfridi 2. Mussarat Hussain Riffiqui alias Syed Yawar Abbas, Deputy

Chief Commander 3. Naseer Ahmed Wani alias Dawood Jabbar, provincial Jammu

Chief . 4. Javed Iqbal Khan alias Haroon Rashid, Doda District

Commander 5. Ghulani Mohammed alias Usman AH, Zonal Commander ' 6. Ashfaq Ahmed Lone alias 'Col.' Afridi, Zonal Commander


7, Mujahid Hussain alias Mohd. Sultan, Zonal Commander 8. Akhtar Hussain Gojal alias Asghar Ali, Divisional

Commander for Jammu & Udhampur Districts In March 1996 Babbar Badr, in the company of three other leaders of

other outfits, met with the Union Home Ministry officials in New Delhi. Soon Badr formed a Forum for Permanent Solution of Jammu & Kashmir and was made its Chairman. In March 1997 he joined the ruling National Conference and in a few weeks he was elected to the Legislative Council.

The remnants of Al Jehad had regrouped in 1997 and resumed its activities. One of its senior members Abdul Salam Mangloo after his arrest in Jammu on September 20,1997 said his group had planned to kill political leaders and prominent citizens. From the hideout he disclosed, arms were recovered which were meant to be used for these killings.

In March 1999 it was disclosed that Al Jehad had publicly owned killing of over 500 persons since this outfit came into being.

Moslem Mujahideen

In late 1992 there was dis-satisfaction in the ranks of Mujahideen-I-Islam, Al Umar Commandos and Al Mustafa Commandos. The veteran militant Master Ahsan Dar, the founder of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, having been expelled from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had already formed nucleus of a new organisation. On January 20,1993 all these elements decided to form themselves into a body which was named J&K Moslem Mujahideen. Master Ahsan Dar was proclaimed its Chief though Shabir Ahmed Zargar was made the President. Prior to launching of this organisation, Dar had made two trips to Pakistan where he had "tied up matters with concerned authorities". It soon became financially well-provided.

On December 19,1993 Ahsan Dar and his Deputy who was also his Financial Controller, Ghulam Mohidin, were arrested from Jawahar Nagar Government flats in Srinagar. During their interrogation they were reported to have disclosed that former speaker of Legislative Assembly, Malik Mohidin of Pampore was the main conduit of bringing funds from Delhi where they arrived from "some foreign sources". The BSF authorities were told that Malik was an Moslem Mujahideen activist. The BSF told Press that money was received in Delhi through hawala transfers from abroad and Malik would bring it to Srinagar from there. Malik was arrested from his Pampore residence on December 20,1993. After these arrests the outfit became less active but their rivalry with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen hotted up. A senior member Mohammed Ramzan Mir alias Hyat Khan was killed by Hizb activists on August 7, 1994.

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On October 24, 1994 its Chief Commander Abdul Majid Dar was I killed by Security Forces in an encounter in Baramulla District. About

the same time, one of its District Commanders Mohammed Saleem Bhat was killed by Hizb activists.

The Moslem Mujahideen were worried by the trend of Kashmir youth wanting to get recruited to State Police and the paramilitary forces. On December 22, 1994 it ordered a ban on young men joining any police establishment. This was so because a decreasing number would join the militant ranks and secondly they would be used in counter-insurgency activities. It asked all militant groups to check activities of State Police and "take suitable measures for this".

With Ahsan Dar in detention the group was directionless. In January 1995 the group split into two factions, one led by Bilal Ahmed Sidiqi and other by Ghulam Nabi Azad alias "Naba Azad". Sidiqui faction under the Chief Shabir Ahmed Zargar expelled Azad from the organisation after a meeting of the Military Command Council on February 6,1996.

. In the meantime Azad faction offered full support to dialogue with Delhi and for holding of elections in the near future.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, new Commander of the Group declared on February 23,1996 that they accepted Indian soverignty over Jammu & Kashmir State. He also vowed to fight the "ISI sponsored militancy" in the State and to strive to bring back peace and normalcy. Two days later he blamed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for indulging in destruction and killings in Kashmir.

Having gained confidence and having gathered more support Azad held a Press Conference on March 11,1996 at Anantnflg where he claimed that Moslem Mujahideen renounced the reign of terror from most of South Kashmir and restored normal life. He however said that their efforts will continue till the whole of Kashmir was cleared of militants. He said Moslem Mujahideen stood for "restoration of sanctity of Kashmir and Kashmiriyat". He further said "Our fight is against oppressors whether they are Security Forces or the bad sons of Kashmir". He said his organisation fully blamed Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for converting "the sacred movement into a civil war". He was unhappy that Hizb called "brave boys of Moslem Mujahideen and others like them Indian agents, just because they are striving for peace", and asked "why should not cadres of Hizb and those patronised by Pakistan ISI be called Pakistani agents". According to him "youth of Kashmir had initially picked up the gun to end exploitationbut the gun itself became an instrument of exploitation". Hence he said he was against the.use of gun, now.

He also announced that the political wing of Moslem Mujahideen -Peoples' Patriotic Front, would participate in the forthcoming general


elections. The Front did participate in the elections in 1996 both to the Parliament and the State Assembly.

The honeymoon with the National Conference soon ended and the Front turned critical of the ruling party and the Farooq Government. On January 27,1997 the Moslem Mujahideen Chief, Ghulam Nabi Azad strongly criticised the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah for having "back tracked on his promises given to reformed militants". He warned that they may be forced to "take up the gun again". He claimed that there was a "written agreement with the Chief Minister before the elections were held, about many things including our rehabilitation but nothing has been done". He admitted that former militants were restive. "Our boys are under control but some of them might go back to militancy if they are not rehabilitated soon", he added.

In October 1997 four of its leaders accused the National Conference of backtracking on the issue of greater autonomy. It also alleged increase in crackdowns, killings and poor general security environment in Kashmir Valley.

Tehrik-uI-Mujahideen

A highly motivated pro-Pak outfit which was established in Kashmir in late 1990. Mohammed Abdullah Ghazali was made the Chief. Sajjad Mir was made the Chief Commander and Abdul Ghani Mir was made the Chief Commander and Abdul Ghani Dar alias Ghazi Sofi was made the Chief Motivator. The post of Deputy Chief Commander was given to Jaffar Jalaali. Another senior and experienced militant Mushtaq Ahmed Khan alias Izrail Khan, was made the Intelligence Chief.

It called for a UN probe on June 19,1991 into the alleged atrocities . by the Security Forces. The Tehrik in a statement said "hundreds have been killed and thousands have been detained" in Kashmir.

There was an encounter between a small group of this outfit and the Security Forces on September 3,1992. Tehrik's Ameer Ghazali'and its Chief Motivator Ghazi Sofi were killed. In another encounter on April 11', 1993 its Deputy Chief Commander Jaffar Jalali and five associates

' were killed. Twenty days later, on April 30,1993 its Intelligence Chief Izrail Khan got killed when a bomb kept in his own car, blew up.

On April 7,1993 its Chief Commander Sajjad Mir (a Gold Medalist M.A.) leading a small group had attacked a BSF Post killing one officer and three other personnel in Batamaloo area of Srinagar. Mir had received his training in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He however was killed in an encounter with Security Forces on July 28,1993. In his place Jameel-ur-Rehman was made the Chief Commander. As Deputy Chief. Commander Jnmeel had on May 16, 1993 expressed satisfaction over

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"awareness among the world leaders". His statement said "our movement is at a very critical stage and all of us should take the next step cautiously lest we lose the right track".

The Tehrik felt apprehensive about the doings of unscruplous persons who had secured entry into different outfits and were bringing a bad name on account of criminal activities. The Tehrik called on different organisations to identify such persons and "disarm them" for they were bringing down the peoples' movement in the estimation of the people. This had hurt the movement locally and at the international level as well. Tehrik asked all the organisations in the anti-India movement to evolve a joint strategy so that any individual thrown out of one organisation does not get admission in another set-up.

In 1994 the Tehrik-uI-Mujahideen increased its presence in Doda District and raised the level of its activity. In February it tried to establish authority by ordering that no timber be taken out of Doda District (it is the richest timber wealth district in the State), It also banned construction of High Tension towers in the entire District for evacuation of power which would be produced at Dul Hasti Power Project.

Next 3 years or so this outfit had to lie low and reduce the level of its activity in Kahsmir Valley. In the first two months of 1997 it decided to reactivise its cadres. On orders from its mentors across the border, Rafiq Ahmed Bhat assumed the direction of the outfit as Acting Chief. The plans that were made following consultations with his colleagues could not be implemented because he got killed in an encounter on October 22,1994 in a village near Shopian in Pulwara District.

Once again the outfit was in disarray. It took them more than 2 years to get together a set-up of senior members to control and direct its ," activities. In November 1997 most of its important members were in Delhi, where in more relaxed atmosphere they were discussing their p future plans and deciding upon strategies to be followed. J&K Police had kept track of their movements and with Delhi Police conducted raids on suspected hideouts. Three militants were arrested. They were identified as: Mohd. Imtiaz Bhat alias Ashfaq Saleem of Noorbagh; Mohd. Shaffi Khan alais Obaid of Khan Sahib (Budgam); and Fayaz Ahmed Bhat of Budgam. They were reported to belong to Zahid Maqbool group of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. Later in November 1997, Delhi Police was able to arrest three more members of Hanief Dar group of Tehrik-ul- .' Mujahideen. They were: Abdur Rashid Najar alias Lalla of Budgam; Mohd. Shaffi Dhobi alias Yusuf Khan of Srinagar and Abdul Ahmed Bhat alias Yusuf Bhat of Noorbagh, Bhagbampore. '

Because of their arrest for the next 12-15 months the Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen was not able to register its presence anywhere in Kashmir.


AI Burq

This outfit claims that it was founded in Pakistan in the Eighties. Its nucleus in Kashmir was formed in 1990 by Advocate Bilal Lodhi who was a close associate of Abdul Ghani Lone, President of the J&K Political Comerence. Though its major base is Kupwara District, its area of operation includes the Districts of Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri and Srinagar City. In 1993 it claimed that at its peak it had over 7000 armed militants in its fold.

On June 9,1991 in Kupwara a group of militants led by Bilal Lodhi was engaged in a big encounter with security forces. There were many casualties on both sides but Lodhi escaped even when he was injured. Later he was involved in another major encounter in the Uri sector on December 4,1991 which went on for many hours. Al Burq lost 29 men and Lodhi was seriously wounded. He was arrested but nursed back to health.

In the meantime, Syed Tajamul Islam, Advocate, had taken over as the Chief. He condemned the resort to abductions to secure release of some "mujahids". He called it "un-Islamic and also-unethical". Later in an extensive interview he defined self-detemination as being the main objective of Al Burq. He said people could decide later if they wanted to become part of Pakistan or remain independent. He criticised proliferation of outfits and said this would weaken the movement. The other objectives of his organisation according to him were: Islamization of Kashmir, freedom from India and accession to Pakistan. About the use of gun he said it has focussed attention of the world on Kashmir after so many years. He further said that AI Burq was committed "to fight the occupation forces till our last soldier and the last bullet". Referring to Pakistan, he said "without their support Kashmiris cannot take the ongoing struggle to its logical conclusion".

Their activists continued to attack security forces whenever they could. Its Deputy Chief, Noor-ul-Hassan was arrested by BSF in the spring of 1992. According to Police he died of kidney failure while he was in detention. Another Deputy Chief, Ghulam Mohidin Khan "Amjad" was killed on April 14,1992 in an encounter in Handwara area. Its Chief Commander, Abdul Majid alias Khalid Gibran was killed by security forces'on October 15, 1993. His place was taken by Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari alias Mauzam Ali but within a few months he was arrested from a Srinagar locality on May 28,1994. He told press the next day that Al Burq was "funded and directly patronised by ISI" and alleged that Abdul Ghani Lone was its godfather. He further claimed that "nil directions for the outfit from across were sent to Lane's house from where those were being conveyed to the Group Leaders". Mauzam Ali told

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the Press that "most weapons and money is being pumped into Kashmir through AI Burq at present". He also disclosed that ISI sends Rs 5 lacs every month for upkeep and maintenance of Al Burq cadres. He further said that this outfit was directed by ISI to "kill politicians and intelligence personnel, to damage and destroy bridges, buildings and schools besides terrorising persons who do not join the movement".

To strengths this outfit Pakistan ISI in early 1993 sent a batch of 25 militants from Algeria, Sudan, Libya, Saudi Arabia and Iraq besides some Pakistanis and Kashmiris. This batch which crossed the LOC in two groups was commanded by a veteran of Afghan-Soviet war, Fahadullah. Soon he made his base in Doda District. The Security Forces were after him and in late 1994 he was arrested in Doda.

Since the outfit was unable to show any worthwhile results, ISI from Pakistan sent a new Commander. In October 1995 the command was assumed by Malik Mohd. Taimoor. The Security Forces were after him and were able to get him on March 14,1996 from Rawalpura Colony on the outskirts of Srinagar.

After his release from jail in 1994 Bilal Lodhi started distancing himself from violence and the path of confrontation. He held consultations with other disenchanted leaders of other outfits also. Ultimately a consensus was reached. On February 10,1996 a joint Press Conference at Srinagar was held by Bilal Lodhi alongwith Imran Rahi of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Babbar Badr of Moslem Janbaz Force. Lodhi said that they were convinced that the gun would not produce results and bring no solution to their problems. He said they were prepared for a dialogue without any pre-conditions, with New Delhi. The new stance of Bilal Lodhi created a stir in the group and its split was imminent. His opponents within the outfit first "disowned" him and then expelled him from the party. Some hardcore members even called for his "elimination".

Some of Al Burq members decided to go along with Bilal Lodhi.

AI Umar Mujahideen

This organisation is claimed to have been set up in Srinagar in 1985 with encouragement and support from Pakistan. Although it has pockets of influence in all parts of Kashmir Valley, its main concentration is downtown Srinagar. At its peak, in 1991 it claimed to have over 3000 armed members in Kashmir. At that time the outfit was led by Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias Latrum.

Al Umar Mujahideen favours Kashmir's accession to Pakistan but assumes that it will abide by the wishes of the people of lammu & Kashmir. Its spokesman Aforoz Ali claimed in June 1*591 that they had


offices not only in POK and Pakistan but also in Iran and Saudi Arabia, who according to him, were lending "total support to our movement". He disclosed that while they get most of their arms and other equipment from across the LOC they were getting some supplies also locally against cash payment. He also alleged that for smuggling arms and ammunition, money had to be spent freely on the border.

This organisation is alleged to wrap bombs around the bodies of its victims and men blow them up to bits. It claimed the credit for having shot dead a former Minister Hissam-ud-Din Bandey on June 4,1991 and Sheikh Sadiq.

Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar joined the militant ranks late in January 1990 and went across to POK. He underwent three months training in subversion and handling of arms and explosives and returned to Srinagar in June 1990 to assume command of the outfit which does not have any political arm. Latif Jafae was made the Deputy Chief.

The outfit was opposed to any proposal of dialogue with Delhi right from the early days of 1990. On March 20,1990 a statement issued by it warned other outfits and political leaders that anyone proposing any talk with Delhi within the Indian Constitution would be considered "a traitor and blown to pieces".

In 1991 this organisation was one oi the dominating ones in Kashmir. On Pakistan's Independence Day - August 14,1991, Zargar was given the honour to take salute from cadres of various outfits at a Parade. On this occasion some appointments were announced. Sheikh Mohammed Mudassar was made Military Advisor, Idris Khan was made the Intelligence Chief. The new Financial Controller was Khalid Hussain alias "Professor".

Zargar's principal aide, Mohd. Yasin Bhat was arrested on March 27,1992. Zargar who had a prize of Rs 4 lacs on his head, was arrested from Rajawri Kadal area of downtown Srinagar on May 15,1992. His place was taken by Iqbal Zargar alias "Bitta Ledri". Iqbal Zargar was also killed on September 3,1992 in Police's "Operation Tiger". Three months later on December 16,1992 the Chief Commander, Riaz Ahmed Khan and Acting Chief, Bitta Khan were killed in an encounter. To fill the sudden vacuum Nayeem-ul-Haq was made the Party Chief.

Activists of this outfit kidnapped from Raj Bagh locality of Srinagar on June 16,1993, a former MLA from Bihar, Pankaj Kumar Sinha who with his family had come to Kashmir for a holiday. AI Umar demanded release of its leader Mushtaq Zargar in return for Sinha's release. A number of times the outfit threatened to kill Sinha but decided to carry on negotiations with the Government. Ultimately Sinha was released after a year, in exchange for another party leader in custody (not Mushtaq Zargar).

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This outfit has different Squads and one is named "Ahmed Walud". It was claimed that this Squad had fired a "Zulfiqar Missile" on the Radio Kashmir building at Srinagar on December 24, 1994, which damaged part of the building but no one was killed or injured. Again it claimed that its activists fired the rocket on November 25,1993 on Door Darshan Kendra building at Srinagar, which killed its Station Engineer Mr. S.P. Singh.

The Group had split in 1991-92 and those decided to part company with Zargar, formed Al Umar Commandos. In 1995 its Deputy Chief, Mohd. Yusuf alias "Sheikh Sikander" went over and joined the "Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon" Caved faction).

An important member of Al Umar Mujahideen Divisional Commander Shaukat Ahmed "Grenade" was killed by Security Forces in an encounter on January 7,1996.

Reports had come in that Zargar was in poor health in jail. His outfit gave a call for a complete strike in Srinagar on February 8,1996 against the alleged ill-treatment meted out to him in jail. The call was opposed by Hurriyat Conference but even then it was a complete success.

For the next 30 months or so Al Umar Mujahideen was inactive with most of its commanders either in jail Or having been eliminated. In the autumn of 1998, the ISI decided to revive this outfit in Kashmir. Its middle rung activists were directed to recruit new cadres and to activise them. The Srinagar District setup was restructured. The Police got the reports. The District Commander, Mehraj-ud-Din alias Dr. Khan and the Financial Chief Nazir Ahmed were arrested at Srinagar on October 26,1998 from their residences by BSF. Once again the revival of the outfit was stalled.

Soon after this Bilal Ahmed Shah of Srinagar, was appointed Chief of Al Umar Mujahideen with the express task of reviving and activising the group. Doda District was considered most suitable for immediate revival and committed cadres who had gone into hibernation were appointed local commanders and assigned specific tasks.

Allah Tigers

Its formation in Kashmir was announced in Srinagar on August 14,1989 to synchronise with the Pakistan Independence Day. Noor-ul-Haq alias Noor Khan was named its Chief. Later he was promoted as "Air Marshal", Dilawar Selani was made its Chief Commander.

The proclaimed objective of the organisation was Islamisntion of society. To achieve this it started a drive to force closure of cinema halls, beauty parlours, video libraries and video parlours,bars and wine shops, and clubs. They succeeded to a targe extent. For fear ol being looted.


and burnt, most of the shops and cinemas were voluntarily closed because the administration was in no position to provide any security or protection. By the time Governor's rule was imposed on January 19, 1990, its threat had been fully heeded. A few which continued to do business clandestinely were looted. The outfit also ordered strict enforcement of purdah, use of burqa (veil) covering of heads of females whatever the age, it banned used of cosmetics, at least in public. It also decreed that no part of the female body or limb like arms or legs should be bare. It banned viewing of television as "debasing for Kashmir's Islamic society". The dish antennas were dismantled voluntarily and others were forced to bring them down. Notwithstanding this diktat there was no decrease in the extent of viewing of television programmes, especially because of events rumbling out in rapid succession in Eastern Europe, Soviet Union and West Asia.

Because of fast moving situations in Kashmir, an announcement was made on April 5,1990 about the merger of Allah Tigers with JKLF. It was announced that Noor Khan would be the Chief Organiser oi the combined organisation. The arrangement did not last long because of the differences of idealogies. The break was announced at a Press Conference by Chief Commander Abdul Majid Wani alias Ghazi Mohammed Ilyas flanked by his Deputy Amjad Farooqi and Publicity Incharge Anwar Parvez. In a short time the group again split. Zubair Abid was made its Chief Commander.

On September 20,1990 the Security Forces had arrested Noor Khan. Undergoing treatment in the Saura Medical Institute, while in police custody he escaped on April 19,1992. He then joined the JKLF, but soon went over to Al Burq, whose activists had helped him to escape from the hospital. In a few weeks time he was back in the fold of Allah Tigers. In the meantime Tahir Mehmood had become the Party Chief.

Tahir Mehmood told the Press on November 12,1992 that "gun alone cannot be the solution of Kashmir tangle and this issue can be resolved across the table". According to him, tripartite talks between India, Pakistan and "true representatives of Kashmiri people" can bring about an agreed solution. He however, was not prepared to lay down the gun, saying that "gun and politics are two faces of the same coin but politics should have an upp*ir hand because political strategy and thinking are essential". He declared that Allah Tigers would not compromise on "fair and just system based on true Islamic principles". He said his organisation stood for Kashmir becoming a part of Pakistan.

In March 1993 the outfit reiterated its Islamic objective. Itsspokesman said "the present struggle will continue until the goal of establishing an Islamic Caliphate is achieved".

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As part of its fundamental approach, in March 1993 it asked the top bureaucrats of the State Government, including its Chief Secretary, Sheikh Ghulam Rasul, to resign from the Government or face the consequences. Its spokesman said that all State Government officers including Deputy Commissioners and senior Police Officers should resign otherwise stringent action will be taken against them and their families.

Its acting Chairman, Dr. Abrar was arrested in February 1994 when he was addressing some doctors and paramedic staff in SMHS Government Hospital.

About this time there were signs of revival of tourist traffic to Kashmir. In April 1994 this organisation asked intending tourists not to come to Kashmir because of danger to their lives.

On June 4, 1991 Ev. Mehmood-ur-Zaman was named the new Chairman of Allah Tigers.

Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Front

This organisation was set up in Pakistan at Peshawar on August 13,1965 by a group of Kashmiris for securing the right to decided their own future in Jammu & Kashmir. Mohammed Maqbool Butt and Amanullah Khan were two of the four principal organisers, the other two being Major Amanullah Khan (Redtd) of AK Forces and Mir Abdul Qayoom. In early '70's this organisation became non-functional because of Amanullah Khan's emigration to Britain and dis-interest of others.

In 1977 in Britain JKLF was formed and most of the members of Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Front joined it. However in the wake to two splits in the ranks of JKLF in 1995 and 1996, the Jammu & Kashmir National Liberation Front got revived in Great Britain in the winter of 1996-97.

After deliberation among themselves its Organising Committee issued a statement in London on March 29,1996, in which it demanded withdrawl of all Indian and Pakistani forces and their sponsored infiltrations from Kashmir. They condemned the "communalisation of the freedom movement in Kashmir". It asked the Hurriyat leadership to dissociate itself from Pakistan-backed sectarian groups and to make their position clear in the "national liberation". It demanded abrogation of AK Interim Constitution of 1974 and the Karachi Agreement of April 1949 regarding the status of Gilgit-Baltistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. It further demanded "free and fair elections for the five autonomous regions of Jammu, Ladakh, Valley, Gilgit & Bnltistan and Aznad Kashmir". It demanded two regional Assmblies for two parts of the State occupied by Pakistan and India to "look after the regional


interests and to administerate the area until the Constituent Assembly and a central government is elected".

The statement described the recent killing of 7 Kashmiri Pandits in March 1997 in Budgam District as an act of "anti-Kashmiri communal violence". According to it the "Kashmiris in the Indian Occupied Kashmir are faced with terror of the Indian.security forces on one hand and Pakistani backed sectarian violence on the other". It alleged that "foreign agencies have been able to infiltrate the Kashmiri national, movement and divert it for their own ends. The Pakistani-backed infiltrators who are heavily armed have targeted Kashmiri nationalists to pave the way for the Kashmiri struggle to be seen as a sectarian issue. This serves the purpose of the Pakistani rulers i.e. the two nation theory which means division of our country on religious grounds. In the name of "Jehad-ej

Kashmir" and freedom movement these armed groups carried out indiscriminate killings of all nationalists including the Moslems/ Hindus and number of minority people".

The mantle of leadership of Jaxnmu & Kashmir National Liberation Front fell on Mohamed Maqbool Bhat's younger son Showkat Maqbool Bhat (31). In 1996 he was made Chairman of the organisation. Soon after this he toured United Kingdom for over six months to reorganise its units and enroll members for it.

Tehrik-e-Hurriyat-I-Kashmir (Movement for Freedom of Kashmir)

In the first few months of strident armed militancy in Kashmir a large number of outfits appeared on the scene, necessity was felt that their activities needed to coordinated. The initiative was taken by the Kashmir Bar Association to form such a body which was to give broad directions and coordinate action by different organisations. Eleven secessionist outfits agreed to join it. On March 4, 1990 at Srinagar the Tehrik-e-Hurriyat-I-Kashmir came into existence. The President of the Kashmir, Bar Association, Mian Abdul Qayoom, was appointed its Chief.

For about 18-20 months its existence was felt but then events and more powerful outfits under direction of ISI refused to carry out its directives and in due course it lost its relevance and almost faded out.

Hizbullah "Party of God"

Hizbullah was first formed in Kashmir quietly in 1988, but it became known only in early 1990. Those who joined il then, had been active in subversion in previous years. Mushtaq-ul-lslam led tin* anti-Indian group

I I

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of young men who disrupted the India-West Indies Cricket Ma tch played in October 1983 at Amar Singh Club Stadium at Srinagar. Besides raising anti-Indian slogans during the match, during the lunch break tliey entered the ground and attempted to dig the pitch. The cadres of Hizbullah came from Peoples' League and the Islamic Students League. Mushtaq-ul-Islam was the first known Chief of Hizbullah in 1990.

It was alleged that this organisation was responsible for killing of the respected scholar and National Conference leader Moulana Mohammed Sayed Masoodi and for abduction of former Minister, Mrs Khemlata Wakhloo and her husband Dr. O.N. Wakhloo and Punjab National Bank Manager K.C. Gupta.

In 1991 Hizbullah claimed that it had over 6000 armed cadres, mostly trained in Pakistan. Its Chief Commander, Mushtaq-ul-lslam was arrested on June 18,, 1991. From the same locality of Battamaloo within 24 hours of Mushtaq's arrest, 9 other important members were also arrested. These included: Deputy Chief Abdul Rafiq (Saif-uMslam); District Commander Ghulam Hassan alias "Bara Sahib"; and Regimental Commander Nissar Ahmed Khan alias "Jan Sahib". Mushtaq-ul-Islam was detained under TADA. This case was contested in the High Court and on its order on May 18,1992 Mushtaq was released, the High Court holding his detention as "illegal and unconstitutional". He was rearrested on May 26,1992.

Advocate Shahid-ul-Islam was named new Chief on June 19,1991.. Within a month he spoke to the Press and justified the use of gun. He said for 40 years there was no result of struggle of the Kashmiris to secure their birthright and the gun had to be picked up as the last resort. He said because of abductions and killings of some important persons, the world has taken notice of Kashmir and happenings here. He said the only solution of Kashmir is that India should "get out of Kashmir". He thanked Pakistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia for financial and material assistance.

In July 1992 Hizbullah sent out a five-member team abroad to "inform friends about the real situation in Kashmir". On Pakistan's Independence Day - August 14,1992 Hizbullah announced awards to some Pakistani newspapers and a Saudi Prince for their support to the "Kashmiri cause". On this day Mushtaq-ul-Islam (in detention) was proclaimed "Imam-I-Inqalab-e-Islam". He was also made the Chief Patron of the organisation. On October 3, 1992 Hassan-ul-Banna was made the party Chief and Kaleem Sidiqui was made Incharge Publicity. Shahid-ul-Islam was asked to look after Foreign Affairs while Zahoor Ahmed was to look after arms and ammunition. These are signifies:u offices since Hizbullah has a Central Military Command Council.


On July 21,1993 "Capt" Dilawar, its Acting Publicity Incharge and also Chairman of its Coordination Committee was killed in Bandipore by Security Forces- In October 1993 police arrested Ghulam Mohammed Bachoo alias Zaffar Jackson on charges of killing former legislator Pir Mohammed Shaffi.

Hizbullah issued a deadi warrant against Dr. Farooq Abdullah, former Chief Minister on March 25, 1994 on charges of "treason and apostasy". They also put a prize of Rs 2 lacs on his head. According to a press release after a joint meeting of Ulemas (religious scholars) Council and the Majlis-I-Shoora (Consultative Committee) of the outfit, the declared Farooq Abdullah a traitor for openly declaring his opposition to the ongoing movement in the State by representing the Indian case in the UN Human Rights Commission in Geneva recently. The Council also declared Farooq Abdullah an infidel because he had participated in a hindu yagna (a ritual) at Delhi. Earlier he had paid obeisance at Vaishno Devi temple in Jammu region. This amounted to apostasy according to the Council, and warranted death penalty.

In the meantime Bashir Ahmed Wani code name Shafqat-ul-Islam had been made Acting Chief. The police had been looking out for him and they got him on September 20,1994 when he was riding a motorbike with a colleague riding on the pillion. Wani was shot dead and his colleague arrested-

A few months later the group split with Prof. Abdul Manan forming a separate group but returned to the fold in November 1995. Soon after this the Party was reorganised by the Military Command Council "to make military operations success oriented". On November 25, 1995 Mushtaq-ul-Islam (in detention) was made "Amir". Once again Shahid-ul-Islam was nominated as Chairman. Khaksar was named the Chief Commander of Operations and Muzamil Afghani was made the Military Advisor. Saif-uHslam was named as Coordinator. Four Divisional Commanders were also appointed :

Nissar Haider for North Kashmir Babar Ali Khan for Central Kashmir Qasim Umar for South Kashmir & Doda Tufail Usmani for Jammu region.

Prof. Abdul Manan also announced that Hizbullah had been strengthened with addition of "many guest militants and many more were expected. We welcome them".

Before reorganisation Hizbullah seemed to be ready to cross swords with Hurriyat Conference. On October 7, 1995 it strongly criticised API 1C for "adopting double standards". In n statement it opposed frequent bnndh calls of API 1C and its constituents. It termed them meaningless

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and counter-productive for these only "push Kashmir economy towards destruction".

Mushtaq-ul-Islam was produced before the TADA designated Court in Jammu on March 6,1996. He and some others are charged for the murder of Maulana Masoodi - a senior politician. He told the Court that he had "no faith in India's manmade Constitution and law but only in Quran". Later talking to Pressmen he said he believed "in global Islamisation in tune with Pan-Islamic agenda" he had set for himself.

He said he approved abductions of four foreigners and derisively asked "Why so much noise about four goras (whites)? Why does not the world bother about thousands languishing in jails from Bosnia to Kashmir". He had refused to meet the members of International Red Cross Committee when they visited the Jail to meet him. He said "all these institutions are slaves of the Satan, the United States of America, and they are totally ineffective in checking the crimes committed upon the jailed people".

Shahid-ul-Islam had developed differences in the organisation and went over to Pakistan. Later he went over to Nepal. In early February 1997 he sent a fax message to Srinagar saying he would return soon and announce new plans. He said besides Pakistan he had toured many other countries. Back in Srinagar he announced his resignation from Hizbullah and dissociated himself from armed militancy. On April 11, 1997 he was arrested by Police.

In the next three days, on April 14, the Police was able to arrest the acting Chief, Prof. Manan. He had recently returned from a visit of some foreign countries. A few months earlier he had been to Nepal to attend a Khatmandu meeting of Islamic Resistence Front.

Mushtaq-ul-Islam was acquitted on July 2,1998 by TADA Court on charges of murder of Maulana Masoodi as "no direct involvement was proved". Mushtaq was not released because he was still to be tried in two other cases dating back to 1983 and 1986.

Kashmir Liberation Tiger

This organisation appeared on Kashmir scene in October-November, 1990 when a group of young Kashmiris returned from Pakistan after being trained in handling of arms and in subversion. They did not want to join different groups and get separated. Soon it got a sort of recognition after a couple of attacks on security forces. In early 1991 "Colonel" I lasnn-ul-Alvi emerged as its leader.

In Ai'gust 1901 he visited New Delhi. There on August 26,1991 he told press that all Kashmiri moslems want to be part of Pakistan. He


said after the largescale departure of Kashmiri Pandits, his organisation considers that it has become a holy war. Because of this "we would welcome Pakistani occupation of Kashmir Valley". According to him the Kashmir Liberation Tiger would honour the cessation of some Kashmir territory to China by Pakistan. He disclosed that his organisation had set up a woman's wing and many of its members were undergoing training in arms and subversion and would come into field as "death squads". He said in the eyes of Pakistan all militant groups in Kashmir, were equal because "all are receiving assistance and are controlled by Pakistan".

Regarding abductions taking place in Kashmir he said Kashmir Liberation Tiger considers this legitimate in the "national struggle" and also because it serves to focus the attention of the world on Kashmir.

Regarding achievement of freedom he said Kashmir Liberation Tiger had no illusion "it may take many years - may be 10 or 20 years".

He was not able to keep his cadres together and they soon got dispersed joining different groups.

Al Mujahid Force

It established its presence in Kashmir in 1989 when on September 19, it announced Awards for Bravery for nine "senior and experienced leaders" of the secessionist movement on the first death anniversary of a pioneer militant Aijaz Dar. The awardees included Mohammed Yasin Malik, Ashfaq Majid Wani, Abdul Hamid Sheikh, Javed Ahmed Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, Mohammed Iqbal Gandroo, Mohammed Ashraf, Abdul . Aziz Sheikh and Shabir Ahmed Shah-

On August 6, 1992 an announcement was made that nine outfits had joined it under the Chairmanship of Najam-us-Saqib, former Chief of Kashmir Army Force (K-2). Soon after he spelt out the objectives of this outfit. He claimed that this organisation had been formed to undertake the task of implementing the second phase of "Operation Topac" since the First had been successfully completed, according to him. He said "the gun has done a good job in past three years in Kashmir". About the "Operation Topac" he said "10 years time is the target to achieve the goal of liberation but pace of events and achievements of gun power reveal that we are much ahead of the target". He was confident of achieving the goal of freedom of Kashmir in less than a decade and declared that "then we will open a new front to include Maqbool Butt's grave m Delhi 'sTihar tail within our boundary because he is waiting there". Of other tusks before this Force he said the gap between people and the muj.ihidfen has to be reduced and insecurity of the people has to be removed. Tin* Mwnd task he mentioned was to

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inform and educate Indian masses. He said they have to be' told that their poverty cannot be removed easily because "an expenditure of over 9 crores per day" is being wasted in Kashmir and nothing has been achieved according to him. "We will tell him that Kashmir is a liability for India and history does not confirm that Kashmir was ever a part of India" he stated. He claimed that they have been able to "educate people in many countries about situation in Kashmir and their appreciation has increased to the extent that India is being condemned for atrocities in Kashmir". He also disclosed that this outfit was sore about the role of media and the intellectuals. According to him the local media had been hijacked and therefore are not doing all they could to support the movement. He lamented that the "intellectuals of Kashmir are totally mum".

According to him this organisation enjoyed the support of POK Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan, He stated that the organisation was originally founded in 1947 in POK by Qayoom Khan. Even today the outfit enjoyed his patronage and guidance. The Force in Pakistan had its headquarters in a palatial building in Rawalpindi and had offices all over Pakistan. These offices distribute literature and make collections for the "struggle in Kashmir". Sardar Qayoom Khan's brother Sardar Abdul Ghaffar was its first Chief Commander and Maulana Abdullah Bari, its Treasurer. They are reported to have collected crores in the name of "Liberation of Kashmir". In POK, Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan is called "Mujahid-I-Awal"- the First Fighter. In "Operation Gibralter" in 1965 when a large number of "Mujahids" were sent from Pakistan to start an uprising in Kashmir Valley, this Force was in the vanguard.

In 1993 the outfit tried to step up its activities and therefore attracted' more attention of the Security Forces. Showkat Ali from POK, was appointed District Commander for Poonch and told to infiltrate across the LOC As soon as he crossed over with 4 others on October 25,1993 he was killed in Ilhas sector by the Security Forces. Another of its Commander who crossed over, Chaudhury Aurengzeb, was arrested in Poonch sector in early 1994. Close on heels another commander, IdreeS Bhai Afghani was killed in an encounter with the Security Forces.

Al Fateh

This organisation was revived on September 14,1991. Abu Khalid was made its Chief. Soon .after Us revival in Kashmir Valley, it claimed responsibility of abduction in Kishtwar in Doda District of a French Engineer, Silva Antonio on October 14,1991. Antonio was working on the Dul Hasti Hyde] Project. Kishtwar unit of A] Fatah was under Icjbal A*boo and he performed a neat operation.


Al Fatah Chief Abu Khalid talking of need to revive it, said "old stalwarts" had decided to make their contribution to achievement of right of self-determination. They would also strive to bring unity among various militant outfits.

Al Fatah was an underground group under Ghulam Rasul Zahageer which came into being in 1970. When its leading lights were arrested it got divided into two factions. Those opposed to Indira-Sheikh accord in 1975 included Nazir Ahmed Wani (a founder member of Peoples' League), Azam Inqalabi, Hamidullah Bhat, Mohammed Shabab Vakil, Farooq Ahmed Bhat, Nizam-ud-Din, Fazl Haq Quereshi and Aslam Wani. Some of them were party to the decision to revive the set up.

Jamait-ul-Mujahideen

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had a youth wing which was headed by Nasir-ul-Islam in 1991. Hizb Supreme Advisory Council took decision to separate the two. On July 26, 1991, Nasir-ul-lslam announced Youth Wing's conversion into Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. He also announced expulsion of Master Ahsan Dar because of factionalism and sectarianism. He also declared that the new organisation will not have affiliation with any other political group.

Soon enough more cadres joined it and its operations covered Districts of Srinagar, Baramulla and Kupwara. It claimed a strength of over 5000 armed youth in 1992. Its Chief Commander then was "General Abdullah". Qazi Junaid was made its Military Advisor.

In June 1992 it warned the Srinagar-based journalists not to act or write against the peoples' movement. In another statement it asked all "frivilous elements" not to harass or abduct innocent persons. On August 7,1993 it also warned Imams of various mosques in Kashmir to desist from talking against the movement. Observers felt that the Jamait was opening too many fronts without caring for the consequences.

On February 5,1993 when its Intelligence Chief Mohammed Qasim Faqtoo returned by air from Delhi, he was arrested at Srinagar Airport, alongwith his wife Asiya Andrabi, Chief of Dukhtaran-I-Millat.

On March 13,1993 the Jamait-ul-Mujahideen Chief Nasir-ul-lslam and his associate Abdul Hamid Khan, his Finance Controller, were killed in an encounter with Security Forces in Noorbagh locality of Srinagar. The outfit insisted that both were first arrested and later killed in custody, which was officially denied. Next day there was a complete shutdown in Srinagar to mourn their death. Soon after this, Moulvi Abdul Haq was made the Amir of thejamait.

Many Kashmiri leaders becoming emotional about Kashmiriyat, worried tins Jamait. Its Publicity Chief Abdul Mannn in a statement An

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May 16,1993 asked them not to be swayed by emotions. According to him "close and serious examination of the Kashmir issue, leads everyone to one single point of Kashmir's accession to Pakistan, which is the only logical solution". "The demand for self-determination (is) distorting the image of the ongoing movement. It is struggle for the establishment of Caliphate" he added.

The Jamait was worried about the whereabouts of its senior member Mohammed Qasim. In a statement on July 4, 1993 it asked the Government to come out clean on his disappearance for it feared that he had been picked and was held by Security Forces.

Qazi Junaid, Jamait-ul-Mujahideen Advisor opposed suspension of militant activities as proposed by a section of its members. In a statement on August 10,1993 he said the gun had injected new life in the otherwise dead Kashmir issue. Because of the armed struggle Kashmir had received attention abroad and had also "exposed India". He said "supremacy of the gun has to be maintained and Jamait would under no circumstances allow it to be reduced".

The Security Forces on September 11, 1993 were able to arrest its Chief Commander "General" Abdullah and four senior members -Khalid Baloch, Asghar, Abdul Rauf and Ahmed Matta, from a Srinagar locality.

Once again the Jamait grew apprehensive of the sabotage of the peoples' movement. Its Amir, Moulvi Abdul Haq in a statement on March 25, 1994 said ""some anti-movement elements had managed to occupy high offices in various militant groups, were maintaining connections with both India and Pakistan, while working against the

, very interests of the movement". According to him "secular minded persons in the movement were more dangerous than the Indian Government".

The Amir, Moulvi Abdul Haq was arrested by BSF on September 30,1993 from Safakadal area of Srinagar. A few months later, on March 30,1994, its Srinagar District Commander, Ghulam Qadir alias Owais Afghani and Budgam District Commander, Ghulam Qadir Najar alias Saleem Afghani, were arrested by BSF.

The Jamait felt time had again come to reiterate its objective of Nizam-e-Mustafa. In a strongly worded statement on May 27, 1994 its Chief said that the principal objective of the ongoing movement was "creation of a true Islamic system in Kashmir and it is on this principle that we vowed to make Kashmir an inseparable part of Pakistan". About the return of Kashmiri Pandit migrants the statement categorically said "they would not be allowed to return unconditionally because they had indulged in anti-movement activities outside".


The Jamait-ul-Mujahideen took objection to plain speaking at a Seminar organised by Hurriyat Conference in June 1994. On June 15, it called upon the Trade Union Front Leader Ishtiaq Ahmed Qadri to appear within 3 days before Jamait-ul-Mujahideen Command Council' and explain reasons for his "objectionable speech which was anti-movement and created suspicion about the Front itself".

The Jamait makes no bones of its intolerances of any talk of secularism. On December 21, 1994 it warned all such elements who were trying to give a "secular colour to the ongoing movement for their own vested interests". It stated that Jamait will not allow anyone to deviate from the original path of the movement.

A running battle of words had been going on between JKLF and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for the second half of 1994. JKLF leaders had visited New Delhi and some other parts of the country where they had eulogised Gandhi and Subhash Chandra Bose. Jamait-ul-Mujahideen took strong objection to this.

Its spokesman on February 16,1995 described this as a "conspiracy of sabotaging the ongoing movement and creating differences among the people of Kashmir".

Panthers Party President Prof. Bhim Singh for quite some time had been trying to get a dialogues started between militants and the

" establishment. He also tried hard to arrange a meeting of leaders from both sides of the LOG The Jamait was opposed to both the suggestions because it felt that these will irreparably damage the ongoing movement. On March 2, 1996 it announced that directions had been given to its cadres to shoot down Prof. Bhim Singh for his "connections with intelligence agencies and the renegades".

In May 1996 the Jamait asked the local Srinagar newspapers to resume publication (which had been suspended for a month) in the interest of the peoples' movement.

Announcement was made on July 20,1996 of the death of its Acting Chief Commander, Ghulam Rasul Mir alias Amir Sohail. The SOG of Kashmir Police claimed that with two others Sohail was killed during search operations in Baramulla District. It also alleged that Sohail was involved in many attacks on Security Forces in Srinagar and Kupwara Districts. However, the Jamait alleged that Sohail was killed in custody.

Mahaaz-e-Azaadi (Freedom Front)

The J&K Plebiscite Front was disbanded following the revival of National Conference consequent to the Indira-Abdullah iiecord of 1975. A sizeable section supported Sheikh Abdullah but a group of workers led by Sofi

Teams & Turf 175

Mohammed Akbar, an associate oi Sheikh Abdullah for five decades, decided to part company. They formed themselves into Mahaaz-e-Azaadi, under the Chairmanship of Sofi Mohammed Akbar in 1975. Azam Inqalabi joined the group soon after. In early Eighties he was made its President.

The Mahaz activists took part in anti-India processions following the disturbances in the One-Day Cricket Match between India and the West Indies in Srinagar in October 1983. For the next 5 years the party workers were persuading and pressurising public to observe hartal, hoist black flags on Indian Independence and Republic Days. On the other hand they, asked the public to celebrate heart i ly the Pakistan Independence Day and the Pakistan National Day.

In 1988 Azam Inqalabi crossed over to Pakistan to make new contacts and discuss the course oi action to be adopted in Kashmir Valley. Inqalabi returned to Srinagar after 11 months stay in Pakistan. During this period he visited Afghanistan as well.

The Mahaaz on July 21,1989 declared that armed struggle was the only way to achieve freedom. Bashir Ahmed Bhat was made the General Secretary and Altaf Andrabi was made Publicity Incharge. The Mahaaz was the first organisation which asked people to observe January 5, every year as "Right of Self Determination Day".

The organisation was declared an unlawful associ ;lion by the State Government on April 16,1990 and its activities were banned. However unhindered it continued to function. On December 31,1991, Mahaaz General Secretary Bashir Ahmed Bhat announced thatMahaaz had been converted into the political wing of JKLF.

Azam Inqalabi then went over to Pakistan and stayed many months. He also visited Saudi Arabia and Great Britain where he met leaders of Kashmiri community and British MPs and other publicmen sympathetic to the cause espoused by militants in Kashmir. From Rawalpindi on August 23, 1993 he issued a statement in which he disclosed that all militant organisations would soon formulate a joint plan of action. He was critical of politicians across the border for.not wholeheartedly supporting the Kashmir struggle. He accused them of negative attitude towards the peoples struggle in Kashmir,

Tehrik-ul-Jehad

This outfit had made known its presence in 1993 but lay low for a couple of years. Directions from across the LOC asked its remnants and activists from other small groups to strengthen TUJ and concentrate in North Kashmir especially Kupwara District.


For 1995 and through 1996 it was involved in sporadic incidents in different parts of North Kashmir. However in 1997, it stepped up its activities in Kupwara District and indulged in attacks on some posts of Security Forces and also on political activists after General Elections in 1996.

The major activists were Mohammed Shafi Kataria - its Divisional Commander; Abdul Rashid Dholi - its District Chief; Soriaullah Shah, its Chief Commander.

For operation in Jaixumi Division, TUJ had in 1997 a different group based in Rajouri District It was headed by Hanif Malik as District Commander and Masood Hussain as "Military Advisor". In Kashmir this outfit was more active in western Kashmir Valley. On July 4,1998 a TUJ group under Abdul Ahad Dar as commander was engaged by Armymen in Nowgam area of Baramulla District. 10 TUJ activists including Dar were killed.

On the other side of Pir Panjal range, in Rajouri District also, this outfit became active in July-August 1998. In an intergang clash between TUJ and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on August 3 in Darhal area both groups lost their group leaders - Liaqat and Bombar, respectively.

With some new activists from across the LOC this outfit more than recouped its strength and on directions from ISI was spread out- in Kalakote area of Rajouri District. The Army troops on the basis of firm information started the "seek and destroy" operation in the area on February 5,1999, four important foreign mercenaries were killed. They were Osma EJhai, Abdul Refrman, Bilal Bhai and Sial Khan who had directed TUJ operations in this area for the past one year or so. This dealt a body blow to the Tehrik-ul-Jehad in Rajouri District.

Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Council

The setup is an overgound body which stands for independence as third option for Jammu & Kashmir Moulvi Abbas Ansari of Ittehad-iil-Musalmeen (Shia body) announced the formation of this Council on August 1,1992 at Srinagar.

Two wings and three cells were setup in the Council. These were : Human Rights & Medical Wing under Dr. Mohd. Afzal Wani Publicity Wing under RafiqShaheen (arrested on October 4,1992) Legal Cell under Ghulam Qadir Sailani Political cell under Ghulam Rasul Wani Environment Cell under Mohd. Yusuf Chapri.

After being active for a few months it faded away.

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Operation Balakote

The Mahaz-I-Azaadi (.Liberation Front) was operating in Kashmir in the Eighties under Altaf Khan alias Azam Inalabi. On April 16, 1990 the Mahaz was declared unlawful and banned.

After consultations with some colleages Azam Inqalabi founded a new organisation which was named "Operation Balakote". Inqalabi was named its Chief. Tariq Kaslimiri from Kupwara was named Deputy Commander and Ibu Rashid was made the spokesman. Some time later Mohammed Yusuf Ganai was promoted as Chief Commander in 1992 after Inqalabi crossed over to Pakistan for consultation. He made a visit to UK and on his return stayed in Pakistan for some time. He returned to Kashmir only in January 1994.

In 1992 and more in 1993, the outfit continued its attacks on Security Forces. Its Deputy Chief Commander Tariq Kashmiri was arrested on March 13,1993. Later in the year in October, one of its leaders Umar Khalid alongwith many others was holed up inside the Hazratbal Shrine for 32 days till November 16,1993. With Idrees of JKLF, Umar was the other militant who negotiated terms of surrendr with the State authorities. Alogwith 60 others he also surrendered to the Security Forces.

The year 1993 was an important one in the life of this organisation. According to its Spokesman, Ibu Rashid, the outfit made over 400 attacks on the Security Forces during 1993. Out of these 25 were rocket attacks. He admitted that 29 activists had been arrested during this period. During the year it admitted that it lost 475 of its members. These included Badshah Khan, Commander of Baramulla and Srinagar Districts; Ghazi Mushtaq Khan, Military Advisor for Kupwara District; Mohammed Ismail, District Commander; and Riyaz Ahmed, Deputy District Commander for North Kashmir.

When the Chief, Azam Inqalabi, returned to Kashmir in January 1994, he declared that he would devote himself to political struggle. This affected the fortunes oi the outfit. Thereafter it has functioned in low profile. It has by and large refrained from the use of the gun.

In July 1995 Inqalabi criticised Western countries of being "insincere in resolving our problems". He said that because of the global differences there was apathy towards Kashmir. In the light of this he advocated genuine unity among various groups to achieve success. He asked that a Supreme Command Council "of all the organisations fighting for the freedom of Kashmir" be set up. He also suggested formation of a National Consultative Council (Qaumi Majlis-I-Shoora). He appealed to leaders of political groups to stop " exploiting the mujahideens" for their personal aggrandisement. He was critical of Hurriyat Conference and said "its structure is weak and vulnerable".


The outfit's former Chief Commander Mohammed Yusuf Ganai left it in late 1995 to join Panthers Party. Within a few weeks he was made its General Secretary for Kashmir. In the Parliamentary elections in May 1996 he contested from the Anantnage seat. However, he lost the election.

Harkat-uI-Jehad Islamia International

This group is an outfit of war veterans of the Afghan War. It originally came into being in 1980 in Afghanistan. When the Soviet troops left Afghanistan, it had a large number of trained foreign militants which Pakistan's ISI decided to direct to Kashmir.

Around 1992-93 nearly 500 of them were sent to Kashmir for operations in the Valley and Doda District of Jamniu region. Their commander was Nassarullah Manzoor Largayal. They were the ones who established HUJI in Kashmir.

In the Kashmir Valley its activists were deployed all over Kashmir except Srinagar District which was left for operations by.Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Nearly 70% of HUJI activists were foreign mercenaries and the rest were local boys. But in 12 to 18 months the proportion was evenly balanced.

The HUJI deployed its activists along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway charged with disruption of smooth flow of traffic especially that of the Army. In Doda District it spread out and took control of most of the passes and galis connecting Doda areas with south-eastern parts of Kashmir Valley. In 1992 its activists ambushed a BSFparty at Asudhara and killed 12 of its jawans.

The HUJI headquarters is at Muzzaffarabad in POK. It was then headed by Shahid Maqbool, a Pakistani of Kashmiri descent. The outfit is supplied, equipped and directed by ISI as per the confession of Largayal. In 1993 in Kashmir it had two major hideouts - one in Baramulla District and the other near Soura, on the outskirts of Srinagar.

Largayal with 3 others was camping outside Kapran village near Shopian in Pulwama District. Kapran is close to the trekking route which leads from Kashmir Valle1- TOSS the Pir Panjal range, into Rajouri District on the other side. The LOC passes through the Rajouri District. Army troops cordoned off Kapran and after a short encounter they were able to overpower Largayal and his 3 colleagues on November 19,1993. From their interrogation it was learnt that this group was operating in close concert with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The location of the two major hideouts were also disclosed by them and the Security Forces were Jed there. In the Baramulla hideout on November 20, 1993 they found a wall, hollow from inside, which could accommodate all at once ten persons with enough arms and ammunition. Three dead bodies of

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militants and a large cache of arms and ammunition were recovered. These included rocket launchers and rockets, 40 kgs of explosives and . chemicals used for making of IEDs, AK rifles, silencer guns, pistols, ammunition, mixers, etc. The dead bodies were identified as of a Pakistani national Mohammed Khalid, Khizar Mohammed alias Col. Padseer and Mohd. Ramzan Mir. The Soura hideout also had a false wall and embedded almirahs.

In 1993 it was estimated that HUJI had over 1000 highly trained and motivated activists out of which nearly half were foreigners. They were spread all over Doda and whole of Kashmir Valley except Srinagar City.

Before the year was out the ISI directed HUJI to merge with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen to form Harkat-ul-Ansar.

Harkat-ul-Mujahideen

This is a specially trained group promoted by Alle-e-Hadees. It surfaced in Kashmir in late 1991. At that time its Chief was "Babar" - an Afghan national. It also had Sajjad Afghani as Military Advisor.

In an encounter with Security Forces on November 10,1992 Sajjad Afghani was killed in Srinagar. The organisation claimed responsibility for the attack on Police post at Chattroo in northern Doda District, in December 1992. Its Hamza unit in Jammu claimed responsibility for attack on February 26,1993 on Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) ' Camp at Shalimar in Kishtwar (Doda District) as announced by its Publiciy Secretary Usman All. At that time its Chief was Nissar Ahmed Lone better known as "Shahji". In November 1992 he had disclosed that . < this group had been established in Kashmir in 1990^ by a few Afghans and lay low till they were able to get a few local youth into its fold. He claimed that his activists were fully trained in laying of mines and laying of ambushes. According to him the sole aim of this group was revival of "Khilafat" in the moslem would. "We wish to see all mosleni world under one Chief - Ameer-uI-Momineen, but till that is achieved, we will be content with Greater Pakistan which would include Afghanistan and Kashmir, he stated. About the role of gun he said "gun will never be allowed to remain subservient to politics". Those who are against it seem to be ignorant about the "principles of Jehad".

On March 13,1993 the Security Forces were able to raid a house in downtown Srinagar and in the encounter, killed its Acting Chief,', Nissar Ahmed Lone "Shahji", his Deputy Commander, Fayaz Ahmed alias "General Zia" who also doubled up as Military Advisor, and Farooq Ahmed Bhat, Incharge, Arms & Ammunition.

In 1993 Hizb-ul-Mujahideen made a proposal that Harkal agree to work under its command. It refused and the matter was referred to ISI


in Pakistan. After due deliberation the ISI decided upon a merger between Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami, to form Harkat-ul-Ansar. This came about on December 23,1993, and thus became part of the bigger organisation already existing and functioning in Pakistan.

Women Organisations

In popular imagination, women of Kashmir over the centuries have been known to be beautiful, courteous, hospitable, hardworking, pleasant and docile - with some exceptions.

The onset of militancy did not find the women in Kashmir lagging behind their menfolk or lacking in courage, anger and fire or in coolness, patience and deliberation. The early months of 1990 saw them participating in demonstrations - big and small, taking part in massive processions to express anger against India or its rulers, while others kept the house fires burning. Because of the popular sentiment and circulating tales of courage and valour about the "boys with the guns", the housewives used to open doors to them, welcome them, even hug them, give them the best of food. They gave them refuge sometimes even against the better judgement of their menfolk, who knew better. Most of the youth after night's rest and to avoid capture would slip away before the day dawned. But some would also take away valuables and misused the hospitality, otherwise. The paramilitary forces did not have women personnel and the J&K Police had insignificantly a small number. In any case, the local police was totally demoralised and distrusted at that time. This was taken advantage of by militant leaders who used a large number v

of women to form the vanguard of all processions or demonstrations. The Security Forces did not use force against women which allowed the processionists and demonstrators to hold their ground much longer than otherwise.

The women put up a brave face because mere is not a house in Kashmir which has not lost a member in last 8-9 years of militancy. Losing your breadwinner or your child, under tragic circumstances, shatters one completely but Kashmiri women have borne it bravely.

History has recorded that over the centuries Kashmiri women have been liberal in outlook and attitude in life. They have hidden neither their beauty nor their talents. But when the wave of fundmentalism with its diktats swept Kashmir, many in urban area accepted and owned them but a vast majority all over Kashmir preferred to lie low and let the tornado pass. The beauty parlours were closed, glossy magazines were not allowed to be sold, short hair and bare heads were tabooed, no cosmetics could be used, which could be seen by outsiders. Burqa or full veil became the order of the day (over 95% Kashmir women had never

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Enthusiastic members of Dukhtaran-e-Millat


used a veil." TV viewing was decreed un-Islamic. A few who dared defy had to experience acid thrown on their faces or threatened even with social boycott.

And yet a few hundred youngwomen came forward to share the excitement and tribulations with the youngmen who had decided to pick up a gun for a cause they were prepared to die for. They left their homes, agreed to cross the LOC and get trained in handling of arms, acting as couriers and manning static jobs for the mujahids. The first batch was of 25 educated girls who volunteered to go over to POK in April 1990. Most of them returned to Kashmir in due course and rendered "service". But a small number never came back. It is learnt that a few got married there and settled.

Those who were fired with zeal and were eager to" take part in freedom struggle" formed themselves into groups while others drifted into it. The principal groups are "Dukhtaran-e-MUlat" (Daughters of the Nation) and "Moslem Khawateen Markaz "(Moslem Women Centre). There are a few lesser known ones like "Dukhtaran-I-Islam", "Bin Atul-Islam"; "SaisIat-ul-MusIimat" and "Hizb-uI-Nissa".

"Dukhtaran-e-Millat: (Daughters of the Nation) was founded at Srinagar in 1981 as an organisation for social upliftment of women and to secure their rights. It was able to get special reservation for women in buses and also achieved some success in anti-dowry compaign. In the very first year of militancy the DEM became known because its activists threw black paint over some film posters showing nude forms. It also started its capaign to force women to use burqa (an overall covering with a veil).. Soon after it became affiliated to Jamait-e-Islami.

For past nine years the DEM has been headed by Asiya Andrabi (34). In 1994 it claimed to have over 9000 members. Its General Secretary is Nahida Nasreen, who said that if need be they will pick up arms and "strengthen the movement". The DEM also runs an Islamic Relief Committee and an Islamic Blood Bank. It is always in the forefront organising protests against arrests ad killing of "freedom fighters".

Eurqa was used by militants as a "weapon o£ war". It is said that in 1990 - 93 period one out of every three burqa clad persons, was a militant. It also conveniently provided cover for transporting weapons and ammunitions. Almost overnight a thriving business of burqa making sprang up all over Kashmir Valley. By the spring of 1992 the enthusiasm for use of burqa was on the wane. On May 13,1992 the-DEM-activists renewed their campaign. A number of college going girls were stopped on the Srinagar streets by burqa clad DEM activists and sprayed with coloured water for not using burqa or" abaya, " a loose gown worn in place of burqa. Bus operators were also forced not to carry girls/ women, without burqa. DEM announced "We are not going to spare anyone

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flouting Islamic principles as regards the purdah. We mean business and will not rest till we achieve our goal/ ' Allah Tigers, Al Umar Commondos, Hizbullah and Hizb-ul-Momineen gave wholehearted support to this campaign. However, the Students Liberation Front sharply reacted to spraying of coloured water and use of force. The Front Chief, Altaf Ahmed described it as "high handedness and unethical".

Gradually, the DEM drifted towards politics. On September 25,1992 it organised a women procession to protest against the counter insurgency "Operation Tiger" launched by the Security Forces. The processionists defied prohibitory orders and the police used teargas to disperse them.

On December 29,1992 Asiya Andrabi declared that the Millat stood for Islamisation of Kashmir, and would struggle to achieve it. "We are for the superamacy of Islam and its teachings and no other ism will be acceptable to us. We will not spare those who oppose it", she added. Elaborating further she said, " we believe in Pan-Islamism and regard Kashmir's merger with Paldstan as the first step towards the unification of the Ummah. Any other solution of the Kashmir problem would be un-Islamic since we want to establish an Islamic caliphate. "Rule of God should prevail in the land of God." About the use of gun, she held " gun should prevail over politics till we achieve our goal."

Ms. Asiya Andrabi was arrested at Srinagar Airport on February 5, 1993 when she returned from Delhi. She was accompanied by her 5 month old son and her husband Mohammed Qasim Faqtoo, who was Intelligence Chief of another outfit Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. Both were arrested. The arrest of the 5 month old son was criticised but a weaning child could not be separated from his mother. She was detained under TADA in Jammu. The Police alleged that she had links with Pakisan's ISI from whom she received funds regularly. It was alleged that at the time of her arrest an amount of Rs 2.40 lacs was recovered from her. Police further alleged that she was a founder member of Tehrik-e-Hurriyat from whom also the DEM received regularly funds which in turn were received from Pakistan. According to Police,over Rs.8 lacs were spent on DEM activities in 1992 alone.

Asiya was released on October 7, 1993 under orders of the High Court. However, as she stepped out of the Central Jail, Jammu she was arrested, this time under the Public Safety Act.

The DEM on July 28, 1993 warned shopkeepers, transporters and women trying to encourage obscenity. In a statement its General Secretary Nahida Nasreen said that some shops were displaying pictures of women for advertising and decoration purposes. Obscene music was being played in buses, mini-buses, autorickshaws and shops. She icX^d these to be stopped forthwith otherwise "action will be taken".


In the first week of February 1994, the DEM observed a "Children Week" to mark one year in custody of Asiya's son, now 17-month old Mohammed Bin Qasim. A fortnight later Asiya, her husband and their son, were released on February 21, With her return to normal activity, the DEM once again became active.

The Dukhtaran-e-Millat was the first organisation (January 10,1995) which took to task, an important militant leader Azam Inqalabi, for his announcement of abandoning the gun for dialogue for "peaceful and democratic way to solve Kashmir tangle".

Police claimed on March 4,1995 that a DEM activist had surrendered alongwith a wireless set. DEM reacted sharply by saying that the report was "malicious and motivated, aimed at the character assassination of the organisation".

DEM claims to be anti-American. After a visit to Kashmir in June 1995 by US Ambassador in India Frank Wisner, DEM described the visit as a "conspiracy against the Islamic movement in Kashmir". The DEM statement issued on July 3,1995 described America as "the worst enemy of Islam" and asked Kashmiris not to look towards USA for solution of their problems.

When 4 former militant leaders proposed a dialogue with New Delhi, the DEM called them "traitors". DEM Chief told press on March 15, 1996 that DEM will make ''their life hell in Kashmir." She said DEM was convinced that this was a conspiracy hatched in jail by Master Ahsan Dar, Patron of Moslem Mujahideen. According to her this was a major attempt to sabotage the movement which was launched with sole objective of Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. She also criticised Hurriyat Conference which according to her had become "safe haven for anti-movement elements and was being dominated by secular forces." She condemned Abdul Gharri Lone, Shabir Ahmed Shall and Yasin Malik for their "Gandhian syle." She said she was surprised that a true Islamist like Syed Ali Shah Gilani had changed from pro-Pakistan to pro-people. She called upon "committed persons to wrest the reins of the movement and lead it to achieve its objective of Kashmir's merger with Pakistan."

For most of 1997 the DEM lay low and were reported to be busy with securing "committed adherents".

After the nuclear tests in May 1998 by Pakistan, this group'Svent wild with excitement." ll ordered largescale celebrations and festivities in Srinagar. Its cadres went round distributing sweets in the streets. It also sent a message to Pakistan President Rnfiq Tarar congratulating Pakistan on "making an Islamic bomb".

The DEM activists in some parts of Srinagar singed demonstrations on July 11, 1997 to protest against reported blasphemy of Prophet

Teams & Turf 185

Mohammed in Israel inrecentpast. The activists were veiled and carried black cloth banners with urdu lettering expressing anger and grief.

Delhi Police had arrested a Kashmir woman Shaheena in July 1998 alleging that she was a militant and a member of Dukhtaran outfit. It further alleged that she was on a mission to Delhi to disrupt the Independence Day celebrations in the capital in middle of August 1998. From Srinagar on August 1, the DEM denied that Shaheena was its member. In a statement it refuted that never since its inception in 1981 had it taken part in any militant activity. However, the statement conceded that "we believe God's land needs to be ruled by the divine laws and that Kashmir is under illegal occupation of India.".

On Pakistan Independence Day (August 14, 1998) some Millat workers put up few Pakistani flags at selected places in Srinagar. The flags were removed and two woman worked were arrested for a few hours.

The outfit observed December 16,1998 as Black Day and as "Anti' nat ional ism Day" on anniversary of fall of Dhaka in East Pakistan,inl971. In a statement the Millat said that on this day"one part of the Islamic world separated from the other merely on nationality issue that weakend the overall state of Islamic world. Islam does not believe in nationality, colour creed, race and language/' it added.

To celebrate Pakistan National Day on March 23,1999, the Millat held a meeting on the outskirts of Srinagar which was attended by many widows of dead militates. Its Chief Ms Asiya Auderabi said they will neither make a compromise nor go for a sell out. Earlier, in a statement she reiterated DEM stand that Kashmir's accession to Pakistan was the only viable solution to this decade old problem.

Moslem Khawateen Markaz (Moslem Women Centre) MKH - came into being in 1990. Its is headed by young Shaila (not her real name) and its Patron is Begum Bakhtawar. Ms. Tabbsum Assad is the Gen. Secretary. The MKH claim to have over 3000 committed workers. "No claim has been made that some oi them have had arms training. Most oi them take part in anti - Indian demonstrations and protest processions. They also act as couriers to ferry arms and take messages from one point to another.

A new group appeared on the scene on May 17, 1993. Burqa clad women demonstrators under the banner of a new outfit "Syed-tul' Musalmeen" appeared in Civil Lines, Srinagar protesting against the alleged molestation of some girls in a nearby village. They also shouted slogans against alleged custodial deaths of some militants.

The other groups like "Diikhtaran-I-Islam" ; "Bin-atul-Islam"; Saishat-ul-Musalimat" ; "Hizb-ul-Nissa" are small groups which are

186 Kashmir Underground .

neither well organised nor do they have a good fiery leader. Their members mostly take part in protest demonstration's organised by well known militant groups.

Shoora-e-Jehad

An alliance of five prominent militant groups that came into being at Srinagar on July 29, 1996. The five groups who decided to join hands, in first instance, were Al-Jehad, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Ansar, Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen and Al Umar Mujahideen.

Al-Jehad spokesman said after detailed discussion this "War Council" had been set up to combat "mimical acts of renegades and foes in guise of friends, military aggression, rape and arson and meaningless initiative of Assembly elections." He warned the "renegade militants and anti-revolutionaries" to desist from changing the course of the movement and "destroying the sacrifice of over 50,000 martyrs.

Thespokesman also named the office-bearers. AbdurRauf of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen will be the Ameer-I-Aala (Chief) and Moulvi Abdul Haq of Al - Jehad, will be the General Secretary. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's Abu Junaid will be the Publicity Cliief and official spokesman, Prof Abul Hassan of Harkat-ul-Ansar was named Financial Chief and Najam-us-Saqib of Al Umar Mujahideen was made Chief Coordinator.

The first major demonstration of it being in control, was the call it gave for 38 day long strike called by it from August 24,1996, as part of its anti-election campaign. Work in all Government and semi-government offices, courts, educational institutions and other business establishments was affected on most of the days. The effect was marked on the eve of the three phases in which Assembly elections were held in September 1996.

Soon after the formation of elected Government on October 8,1996, the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah had called upon militants to surrender within a month. The Shoora-e-Jehad ridiculed the ultimatum of the Chief Minister. In a statement issued on October 22, 1996 the ultimatum was described as ridiculous and said this was nothing new because earlier the Army had issued many such ultimatums. It reconfirmed its faith in the gun and said, the " gun will continue to play its role till the ongoing ovement is taken to its logical conclusion"

When 7 Kashmiri Pandits were killed at Sangrampura village in Budgam District on March 22,1997 the Shoora condemned the killings and described it as n "conspiracy against the ongoing movement." Its spokesman on March 31 assured the public that militants did not want Ui target inniwent i-ili/ens.

Teams & Turf 187

In another statement on March 31,1997, the Chief of the Sho ora, Mouvi Abdul Rauf "threatened to strike outside the State on large scale if the Government forces did not stop the custodial killings and other atrocities immediately."

Before a year had passed the Shoora-e-Jehad decided to revamp the whole set up . After a 3 day meeting the Executive was reconstituted. It was announced on June 18,1997 that Moulvi Munir Hussain will be the new Amir. Sharief-ud-Din Nadvi was made the new Deputy Chief Patron. New General Secretary would be Pir Shamsud Din. Nisar Ahmed Nisar was made the Press and Publicity Secretary. It was decided to appoint 3 coordinators. They will be Syed Akram Raza, Abdul Wahid Naseem and Fida Hussain.

The new Amir, Moulvi Munir Hussain reaffirmed his faith in ongoing movement and assured that no stone would be left unturned to ensure that Shoora's objective was achieved.

The Police claimed to have arrested from Aram Masjid, Khanyar in Srinagar, on October 23,197, Rafiq Ahmed Bhat alias Moulvi Rauf who till recently was the Amir. He was taken to a place near Shopian for recovery of arms and on way back with police, the party was ambushed

• by a group of militants and Bhat was killed in crossfire when he tried to escape. However, the Shoora alleged that Bhat had been tortured in custody and killed.

Shoora-e-Jehad seemed impatient with political leadership of the » Hurriyat Conference. In a statement on November 28,1997, it criticised them and asked them "to come out of their safe houses and play an effective role to take the movement towards the logical conclusion. The statement also criticised the Government alleging that it was not sincere in finding a peaceful solution of Kashmir problem.

One of the constituents of Shoora, the Harkat-ul-Ansar in separate statement distanced itself from "protest strikes, demonstration and sit-in strikes which are no alternative to Jehad". According to it these had proved to be counter productive for the movement.

J&K Jehad Council

To coordinate all activities and operations on this side of LOC, of various pro-Pakistan outfits, Pakistan authorities set up a Jehad Council under administrative control of an important officer of its ISI.

This Council which has representatives of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-ul-Ansar, Al - Barq, Al-Umar Mujahideen; Jamait-ul-Mujahideen among others, was set up in winter of 1993-1994 with its main office nt Rawalpindi though its advance base was set up nt Mu/nflnrnbnd (I'OK).


Pakistan Government decided to deal with various militant outfits through this Council.

The Council was also asked to make collection of funds from different parts of Pakistan and from foreign countries, and distribute the funds to different groups operating in Kashmir. The Council was to administer the training camps and induct militants into the Valley. It was asked to project requirement of arms, ammunition and logistic support for different outfits

Elections of important office bearers were held on April 22,1998 at the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen base in Muzaffarabad(POKV The Council constitution was amended so that a third consecutive term as President is made possible to re-elect as President, Syed Salahudin, HUM Supremo.

11 militant outfits out of 14 outfit members participated in the Election meeting. Those who attended were: Moin Zafar (Al Jehad); Usman (Muslim Janbaz Force); Shuja Abbas (Hizb-ul-Momineen); Abu Rafia (Jamait-ul-Mujahideen); Syed Abdullah Ghazali (Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen); Bilal Rahi (Al Barq); Rafiq Ahmed Dar (JKLF); Saleem Wani (Tehrik-I-Jehad); Bilal Begflslamic Front); Aijaz Rehmani (Al Fateh) and Syed Salahudin (Hizb-ul-Mujahideen).

Later, the Chairman reiterated the united resolve of all the constituents to fight determinedly to attain their goal of freedom.

Tehrik-ul-Musalmeen

This organisation came to notice only in early 1992. Its Chief organiser was Ghulam Mohammed Rathod (46). The Security Forces were looking out right from the day he assumed command. Ultimately the BSF caught up with him on December 16,1993 when it arrested him from a hideout in Budgam District. He is alleged to have brought from Saudi Arabia over Rs. 50 million through clandestine channels in 1993. This money was expected to be used to purchase arms and ammunition and also for maintenance of its cadres.

Jammu & Kashmir Solidarity Front

In first half of 1997 the Pakistani establishment and its Kashmir experts in ISI held a series of meetings in Muzaffarabad (PoK) and Islamabad to analyse the factors leading to slowing down of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir and role of the all parties, and role of All Parties Hurriyat Conference. According to inforvnation that trickled through it was felt that main factors were : (i) falling morale and commitment of Kashmiri militants; (iO lack of discipline, control and direction of various outfits; (iii) failure of the movement to achieve anything conm-ti>; (iv) more

Teams & Turf 189

Kashmiris veering round to concept of independence rather than urge to be part of Pakistan; (v) exposure of most leaders of APHC as persons more interested in appropriating foreign funds meant for sustaining the movement, for personal end and finally the failure of APHC to provide leadership and direction to the ongoing movement.

The ISI officers held meetings with representative of major groups operating in Kashmir and came to the conclusion that APHC was not able to deliver the goods. It was therefore decided to set up a new body with headquarter in Muzaffarabad which would act as the umbrella organisation to control and direct the operations in Jammu & Kashmir. It was christened Jammu & Kashmir Solidarity Front. Though the decision was taken in July 1997 but formal announcement was made in Islamabad on August 31. The JKSF was to have three wings. Political, economic and military. Only two groups sent their representatives to the Front. Amir of Jamait-i-Islam.i, Moulvi Rashid Turbi and Raja Muzaffar of JKLF were reported to have become its members. It was claimed that Syed Salahudin of the Jehad Council had lent his support. Others who have assured support and backing the Front claimed, were Dr Ayub Thakar, President World Islamic Kashmir Freedom Movement, and Nazeer Ahmed Gilani Chairman of Council for Human Rights, in Great Britain, both of London. From United States, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of the Kashmir-American Council, reportedly backed the setting up of the Front. It intrigued political observes in Kashmir that no secessionist leader from this side of LOC was included in the Front.

Within a Jew days ]KLF announced mat ft never was part of the Solidarity Front. Its Secretary General Dr.Haider Hijaxi at Rawalpindi declared that JKLF did not contribute to the demand of the Front for implementation of the UN Resolution on Kashmir. His statement clearly said "JKLF stands for re-unification and complete independence of the undivided Jammu & Kashmir state with a non-communal and federal system of government and having friendly relations with India and Pakistan. The statement also denied that Raja Muzaffar was a JKLF representative for nobody had been authorised to participate in the Front meetings.

The Hurriyat leaders declined comment on the formation of the Solidarity Front. However, the formation of a rival alliance created a flutter among its constituents.


Moslem Conference

This is the oldest political organisation in the State, having started its activities in Srinagar in 1931. Ithad the patronage of Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Moulvi Mohammed Yusuf Shah but the political control for the first 7 years was in the hands of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah. To start with it demanded responsible popular government under the aegis of the Maharaja and for the rights of Moslems only. In 1938 by overwhelming majority it converted itself into a nationalist body - the National Conference - throwing open its doors to non-Moslems. A section of its members under the leadership of Chaudhury Ghulam Abbas, decided to continue Moslem Conference as a separate organisation. In the forties it got allied to All India Moslem League and received the patronage of Mohammed Ali Jinnah. In 1944 when Mr. Jinnah visited Kashmir the Moslem Conference received a shot in the arm.

The Moslem Conference followed the Moslem League in its responses to the Cabinet Mission proposals. In June 1947 the Moslem Conference

» lent its full support to Maharaja Hari Singh to declare Jammu & Kashmir4

as an independent State. After 1947 for the next 35 odd years the organisation existed only on

paper. When in 1948 the National Conference came to power life for Moslem Conference became difficult especially after Chaudhary Ghulam Abbas crossed over to Pakistan in 1949.

Prof. Abdul Ghani Butt was a government teacher who was dismissed from service in 1986. He picked up the Moslem Conference "from the ground" and infused some life in it. Prof. Ghani thinks the Moslem Conference is destined to fill the political vacuum in Kashmir because neither the National Conference nor the Jamait-e-Islami was acceptable to the people in general, "we will be the only single political force in future".

The Moslem Conference does not recognise the accession to India as valid or final. It stands for Right of Self Determination, upholds freedom of press and wants establishment of Nizam-e-Mustafa in Jammu & Kashmir. Prof. Ghani says that the Moslem Conference believes in the dictum that "politics is the exploration of the possible". The Moslem Conference wants all such elements who want to secede from India, to join hands and get united.

In October 1992 Prof. Ghani asked Kashmiris to come out on streets and raise their voice. He asked them to take out processions and stage demonstrations against the Security Forces and their excesses. The Moslem Conference gave a call for total strike on October 26 and 27, 1992 for "these two days are the dark pages of Kashmir history when Indian troops landed here in 1947". The Moslem Conference had

Teams & Turf 191

formulated a plan for an organised movement. This "Zarb-ul-Mosalmeen" would be announced soon, he stated. This would give a political touch to the ongoing movement and also mobilise the world opinion.

In May 1993 he told the press that Moslem Conference stood for a meaningful dialogue to "end this problem" and asked Delhi to view the problem in its right perspective. He said nobody was happy with war. "which brings destruction and nothing else". According to him the • Moslem Conference wanted both sides of Kashmir to be handed over to the United Nations for 5 years for creating an atmosphere in which elections could be held and a representative leadership come forward with the mandate to enter into any dialogue with India and Pakistan about the political future of the State".

About the National Conference, the Moslem Conference feels that "it neither is relevant in the present situation nor is it representative of Kashmiri aspirations". The Moslem Conference has laid down an important condition that no talks can be held with any party government at Delhi. According to it, talks can be .held only with an all-party delegation representing all parties represented in the Parliament.

The Moslem Conference views on Hindu migrants from Kashmir are more accommodating than the militants. "A genuine Kashmiri Hindu, is every inch a Brahamin who can understand the machinations of the neo-colonist in Delhi". The Brahmins and the Moslems in Kashmir belong to the "same racial stock. We share history, culture and a host of olirier things. Vtfemustswimtogeftier. Let us sink together VTA comes to that" he stated.

The Moslem Conference is a constituent of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference since its inception in September 1992. The Moslem Conference President, Prof. Abdul Ghani, is a member of the Executive Committee of APHC. In May 1996 he was also made its Chief Spokesman.

J&K Peoples League

In 1974, a group of angry youngmen were banded together! by Mohammed Farooq Rehmani and the Peoples League was born. Rehmani later became editor of "Daily Azan" the mouthpiece of Jamiat-' e-Islami in Kashmir. The League was joined in midrSeventies by Shabir,/ Ahmed Shah and who soon rose to be its Chief. "M?

Farooq Rehmani highlighted the report of filing of a writ petition on the issue of the alleged ban on Holy Quran in Calcutta High Court;'drf May 1985. In 1987 and in 1988 the League exhorted people to boycott the Republic Day celebrations and to hoist black flags on January 26lh as'


a mark of protest. The League "also urged people to observe the death anniversary of Mohammed Maqbool Butt on February 11 in 1987,1988 and 1989.

On August 28, 1988 the League vowed to establish Naizam-e-Mustafa. The Party also called for hartal on October 27,1989 to protest against landing of Indian troops in Kashmir in 1947. On September 27, 1989 while travelling from Srinagar to Jammu, alongwith his deputy Nayeem Ahmed Khan, Shabir Shah was arrested at Ramban. He spent almost 5 years in detention.

The League distributed and pasted a large number of posters on December 22,1989 entitled

"Peoples League ka kiya paigam Fateh, Azaadi aud Islam"

(What is the message of Peoples League, Victory, Freedom and Islam)

On the eve of Republic Day - January 1990, the League declared through posters that the Indian Constitution was no longer acceptable to them and they wish to be governed only by Holy Quran.

In 1990 S. Abdul Hamid was made the Acting Chairman. On April 16, 1990 the Government declared the Peoples League an unlawful association under Criminal Law Amendment Act 1983 and banned its functioning.

The TADA Designated Court ordered release of Fazl Haq Quereishi, former Chairman of the League. He was in detention for over 28 months. Soon after he called for a "purposeful dialogue for the settlement of the large standing problems of the unfortunate State". In his opinion wars did not solve any problem but only aggravated it. Much blood has been lost and people have suffered abnormally".

On Spetember 16,1992 Nayeem Ahmed Khan, a close aide of Shabir Shah, was released from Jammu's Central Jail. He immediately reiterated his Party's demand of giving people of Jammu & Kashmir, right to decide their future. According to him, the League was of the firm view that India and Pakistan "have no right to decide the future of Kashmir".

Shabir Ahmed Shah was released on September 30, 1994. Before reaching Srinagar he travelled through Doda. Both through Doda District and in Kashmir, he received an enthusiastic welcome. All shades of public opinion and even the establishment were pinning hopes on him. They hoped he would pull out a rabbit from under the hat and all will be hunky dory. As days passed by and nothing moved forward, expectations gave way to disappointment. To start with Shah talked of return to peace and normalcy through dialogue. He also desired early return of Kashmiri Pandits to Kashmir. First he had wanted to retain his freedom of thought and action. It now transpires that he was not able to

Teams & Turf 193

cut much ice and therefore he had to fall in line and agree to become part of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He has toured many parts of Jammu region and has gone to Delhi a number of times since 1996. There he explained the reason for the freedom struggle and talked of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir. Off and on he met foreign'diplomats and media persons to tell them of the ground realities. In July and August 1996 there developed some differences with APHC leadership. When APHC decided not to meet American Ambassador Wisner and Senator Hank Brown, Shah took independent stand and had long meetings with them at his Srinagar residence.

During this period differences had developed between Hamid and others. Hamid faction got separated and grew closer to Al Jehad Force. Hamid became Chairman of this group. In the meanwhile differences had also developed between League's Chief Shabir Shah and his erstwhile confidante Nayeem Khan. In 1997 the party again split. In February 1998 Nayeem Khan assumed Chairmanship and announced rigid separatist stand though it supported return of Kashmiri Pandit migrants. On April 13, 1998 Shabir Shah announced setting up of a Trust to rehabilitate widows, orphans and others those who suffered on account of violence in the past 8 years. He gave assets worth Rs 1 crore which he said he had received as donations in the past few years. The next day Nayeem Khan alleged that he had parted with only small portions of donations amounting to over Rs 50 crores that Shah had received. Khan asked Shah to hand over the balance assets also. ••;

Shabir Shah had consultations with like-minded persons over manyj months. Finally he decided to float a new organisation to "meet new emerging situation" in and around Kashmir. On May 25, 1998 he, announced birth of the new party - Jammu & Kashmir Democratic; Freedom Party.

The remanants of the League and its factions which had drifted away' earlier, engaged themselves in consultations in an effort to bring them together. OnAugust3,1998 the erstwhile deputy of Shabir Ahmed Shah, Nayeem Khan declared that 4 out of 7 factions of the 24 year old organisation had reunited. These factions, he said, were those led by S. Hameed, Sheikh Abdul Aziz and Fazl Haq Quereishi, Shabir Shah and Farooq Remani. Messrs Shah and Rehmani have formed their own organisations - Democratic Freedom Party and People's Political Front.

It was announced that Sheikh Abdul Aziz has been made new Chairman while Nayeem Khan would be the General Secretary. Regarding the policy to be followed by the reconstituted party. Nayeem Khan said "Militancy is part and parcel of the ongoing struggle to break Indian rigidity on Kashmir. Once they (Delhi) accept the ground realities and opt to come on the table, the guns will fall silent". He demanded

194 Kashmir Underground '

that all concerned should agree to "purposeful bilateral negotiations on Kashmir".

To mark its presence, the revived Peoples League marched in a • procession to the UN Military Observers Group office in Srinagar on

August 10,1998. The activists planned to present a Memorandum alleging largescate violations of human rights in Kashmir. The procession was taken out in violation of prohibitory orders and was broken up by the police. Nayeem Khan and some of his associates like Bashir Ahmed Tota, Ghulam Nabi War, Maqbool Sofi were arrested but were released soon, later.

Jarnmu & Kashmir People's Conference

This is an overground organisation with pronounced secessionist aims. It was set up in 1981 by Abdul Ghani Lone, a former Congress Minister.

.' At time of formation its objective was to safeguard the rights of people of Jarnmu & Kashmir and to oppose erosion of autonomy.

Having become dissatisfied with Congresss, National Conference and Janta Party, Abdul Ghani Lone formed his own organisation. His supporters in those three parties joined his new group. Lone was made

_ its Chairman and Peerzada Hafizullah Makhdoomi its General Secretary right in 1981 and they continue to be in these offices without a break.

For the next 8 years the Peoples Conference played its role as opposition party against the successive governments headed by Sheikh Abdullah, Farooq ^dullab. , C M , Shah and Dt. Farooq Abdullah.. D u x i ^ these years its President and General Secretary went to jail a number of times.

When militancy erupted in Kashmir in 1989-90 the Peoples Conference supported it unreservedly. Lone took part in processions and demonstrations against use of force and police firings, against accession to India and for the right of self determination. He was arrested in Kashmir alongwith many other secessionist leaders and detained in Delhi's Tihar Jail.

In November 1991 the Peoples Conference demanded the right of self determination for people of the State believing that this was the "only peaceful and political solution of the Kashmir issue".

After his release from Jail in" 1992, Lone toured Kashmir Valley to strengthen his Party network. He also tried to straighten out many problems its workers were having with its armed wing, Al Burq. Addressing a meeting at Pakherpura in Pulwama District on September 6,1992 Lone said ''Ours is a movement to secure our birthright for self-determination as enshrined in United Nations Charter but denied to us so far".

Teams & Turf 195

In February 1993 Lone left for a foreign tour. After performing Ummra in Saudi Arabia he visited United Kingdom and later United States and Iran. There he met many sympathisers of Kashmiri secessionist movement and also some Government officials.

After his 5-month long foreign tour, he again toured different parts of Kashmir and consulted his party workers. On August 24,1993 Lone told his party workers at Srinagar that India was "jittery" because of successful movement for freedom in Kashmir. He praised Pakistan for extending full support to Kashmiris in their "just struggle". He refuted the allegation that what was happening in Kashmir was created by Pakistan. He criticised New Delhi for blaming Pakistan for the indigenous uprising that India was facing in Kashmir.

When the All Parties Hurriyat Conference was formed on September 9, 1993 the Peoples Conference became its founding member. Abdul

v Ghani Lone was made a member of the 7-man Executive Committee. In the stand-off at Hazratbal Shrine in October-November 1993, the

Conference members took part in processions and protest demonstrations.

Its Chairman, Abdul Ghani Lone alongwith others, was arrested for defiance but was released after peaceful resolution of the issue after 32 days stand-off.

v > * Lone and Syed Ali Shah Gilani, Jamait-i-Islami leader were together in jail and had the opportunity to discuss what direction should be given to the movement after the Hazratbal surrender by holed-up militants.^ \ After his release he discussed these and other matters with his partyij \ members in the next few months. ' ta /

Lone told a press conference on January 11,1995 that any "solutionis j agreed to by three parties to the dispute - India, Pakistan and Kashmiri '$.! people" would.be enduring.

Later he declared that the aim of his Party "is to destroy the existing power structure in Kashmir and build a new one. None of us is interested in election farce".

The Party General Secretary, Peerzada Hafizullah Makhdoomi welcomed the offer of mediation in Kashmir, made by UN Secretary General, Boutros Boutros Ghali.

The elections to Parliament and to State Legislative Assembly were held in May and September 1996 respectively. The Peoples Conference had boycotted these, terming them as "farce". The Party did not participate in any election after March' 1987. A case for its de-recognition was pending before the Election Commission of India. On September 4; 1997 it withdrew recognition of Peoples Conference as a State Party in ' Jammu & Kashmir under the J&K Conduct of-Election Rules 1965. >••-Consequently, it will also be denied the use of symbol "Lion" for purposes of election.

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The Party Conference Lone was arrested in November 1997. Party General Secretary Ghulam Ahmed Gulzar was also detained with Lone. Lone was released in end of May 1998.

Jammu & Kashmir People's Political Front

In the summer of 1993 there was a distinct disillusionment with the ongoing movement totally dependent on gun not being able to achieve much on the political front. Some of the old guard belonging to different outfits who had been pushed out by more ambitious and younger leadership, held consultations among themselves and decided to form themselves into a Front which would strive to work for a peaceful political solution of Kashmir problem.

Thus was born the Jammu & Kashmir People's Political Front in Srinagar on August 28, 1993. A veteran political activist Fazal Haq Quereishi, earlier of Peoples League, was named its Chairman. Ghulam Mohammed Naikoo was made its General Secretary. Wile announcing formation of the Front, Quereishi said the ongoing movement had entered a crucial phase where political direction and inputs were required. This

, political platform would take on the "responsibility of guiding the ' \ movement for achieving a political solution of this dispute". He said

the Front considered Jammu & Kashmir State as a disputed territory and that there were three parties to this dispute - India, Pakistan and

„ people of Jammu & Kashmir. They must sit together and find an amicable and acceptable solution.

A month later it had not yet decided what relationship if at all, it will have with Hurriyat Conference which by then had come into being. . Quereishi only said on September 28, 1993 that he was disappointed with Hurriyat leaders who had achieved nothing so far. He said his front was better placed to give political lead because it was not a multiparty forum like APHC. He also disclosed that a Front delegation would be sent to different parts of the country to inform them of the real situation in Kashmir and to build favourable public opinion. He claimed support of many militant outfits including Azam Inqalabi's "Operation Balakote".

However, the Front was not able to achieve much and soon faded out of public view.

Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party

Syed Shabir Ahmed Shah after his expulsion from the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and separation from his own Peoples League in February '1998 had been having consultations with his friends and associates as

' Teams&Turf 197

also likeminded persons with the aim of starting a new political party to meet the new situation in Kashmir and the Indian Sub-Continent.

On May 25,1998 at a Press Conference in Srinagar he announced the formation of Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party (JKDFP). He said the contemporary political leadership in Kashmir "had failed to redress the grievances of the people with the result that social fabric has been destroyed beyond recognition. We will work for permanent peace. We earnestly feel that there is a serious need to review our course of action". He felt that there was no wisdom in binding ourself blindly to an emotional approach. He believed that there were 3 parties to Kashmir issue - India, Pakistan and people of Jammu & Kashmir and any solution without the participation of the people of the State will prove futile.

According to him, the future of JammU & Kashmir is still to be determined and for a permanent, peaceful and lasting solution it was essential that the people of the State be provided with an atmosphere free from pressures, whether internal or external. About participation in elections Shabir Shah said "we would certainly participate if the elections are held under non-governmental agencies".

Outlining the objectives of the new party he said that DFP would be essentially political in nature and would advocate complete freedom of expression, both written and verbal. "My organisation stands for return

, and rehabilitation of all those residents of the State who have been displaced in one way or the other, as a result of the unresolved Kashmir issue" he added. About the organisation he said its structure shall be democratic wherein "cohesion and discipline shall be maintained in ah exemplary manner". The organisation Will set up units all over the State as also in POK. He announced names of few office bearers. While he himself would be the President, Maulana Mohammad Tariq would be the Working President. Mohammed Ahmdd Sagar was named Senior

' Vice President, Mohammed Ibrahim Dar would be the Vice President. The formation of the new Party was a major political development

because it indicated that accent was shifting from gun to dialogue. It was bound to have strong reactions and it did.

The frontline Hizb-ul-Mujahideen labelled it as part of "grand Indian evil design". Hizb Deputy Chief Ghazi Rafi-ud-din said "the Mujahideen would spare no sacrifice to foil absurd methods and hidden political intrigues of those who are willing to participate in elections". It called it an "Indian plot to create a new force in Kashmir to counter the National Conference and beat the pro-freedom movement elements". Ghazi approved Shah's offer of ceasefire in exchange for unconditional talks and said "Kashmiri youth did not take guris to highlight the Kashmir issue but to resolve it". Acording to Ghazi "at least Shabir will get a berth in the Legislative Council".

198 Kashmir Underground ^

Another strident outfit Harkat-ul-Ansar warned "all those running a political showroom to shut down their business and refrain from initiating any talks with the Centre". The spokesman advised such people to "channelise their efforts in the direction of Islam and refrain from treading the secular path".

From the other end of the political spectrum the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, welcomed the formation of DFP and said that better realisation will "hopefully dawn on others also who still dream of Kashmir's secession from India and it is hoped that they will also join . the mainstream".

The senior Congress leader and former Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammed Sayed welcomed Shah's offer of unconditional talks with Delhi and the foundation of new party.

The reactions expectedly were strong and induced rapid rethinking in Shah and his associates. He hurriedly called a press conference on June 2 for some political fire-fighting operation. He declared that he believed that Jammu & Kashmir was a disputed territory and needed to

\ be resolved by way of "unconditional tripartite dialogue between India, Pakistan and people of Jammu & Kashmir". He clarified that when he expressed his willingness to participate in elections if held under an official non-governmental agency, he was expressing his readiness to take part in a "referendum under the surveillance of an independent, non-official commission if at all, it be became necessary to determine the

.„ weightage of the Jammu & Kashmir peoples' real representation, for the tripartite talks". He reaffirmed thathe would not participate in elections held under the Indian Constitution". Assauging the ruffled feelings of militant groups, Shah sent his "Salaams" to Kashmiri militants who according to him, had taken the Kashmir problem to its zenith". He l

quickly added that the gun had played its role and now the time was l "ripe to further the freedom struggle in a peaceful and political manner. I am a votary ol non-violent struggle".

When asked to comment on continued infiltration of foreign militants Shah categorically said that he did not consider residents of POK as foreigners but he refused to say anything about Pakistani, Afghani, Sudanese or others.

Regarding allegations that he had reached some understanding with Delhi, he clarified that he had neither built any rapport with New Delhi nor established any contact with Dr. Farooq Abdullah. About Dr. Farooq Abdullah's welcoming Shah's joining the mainstream politics. Shah said if Farooq has gone through objectives of his party and admitted the

. disputed status of Jammu & Kashmir "then I would suggest to him to quit the Government and join us in the freedom struggle".

Teams & Turf 199

In an obvious reference to Hurriyat Conference, Shah said he was not one among those who asked the people "UNO challo" - Let's go to UNO.

Referring to nuclear tests undertaken by India and Pakistan in May 1998, Shah said "We sincerely want no repetetion of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the only alternative is dialogue". He urged the nuclear weapon states to sign nuclear weapons convention by the year 2000, agreement to the elimination of all nuclear weapons within a time-bound ' framework. He described these tests as a "curse for humanity". People making merry over these tests will weep if there is a war because it will not see caste, creed, religion or gender", he added.

In June and July, 1998 the DFP organised some protest meetings and demonstrations in Srinagar. The police either did not allow them to gather because of ban on meetings or dispersed them quickly. Party President Shah and some senior functionaries were arrested on the spot but released soon after.

Shabir Shah believes that Indian leadership has provided a major opportunity to find a solution of the Kashmir problem by conducting the nuclear test. On July 25, 1998 in an interview on Internet News Channel he said that because of the test, Kashmir issue has come on the agenda of P-5 and G-8.

He regretted that his offer of dialogue with New Delhi had been rejected by Home Minister Advani. Instead he said he would send more» troops to Kashmir to crush the movement and also he would strike and l

wrest back control of Azad Kashmir. "If Advani had been a true Hindustani, if he had been a real patriot, then he should have sought the opportunity for talks and made a new beginning", he added.. Shari suggested that Kashmiris should play a bigger role than India and Pakistan in solving the dispute "because 1,00,000 of our youth have been killed".

Shah said he never believed in the gun culture. "Gun can be part of the struggle, not the end of it", he added. Continuing he said "the reason our young real freedom fighter took up the gun was to catch the world's l

attention. Whenever, they talked about political solutions they were greeted by guns and abuses". According to him "in 1988 our fighters brought the Kashmir out o[ the grave and took it up, right up to the high heavens. The world came to know that Kashmir in India is having a problem".

Imran Rahi, a senior secessionist who had travelled from Peoples' League to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to J&K Forum for Permanent Resolution of Kashmir Problem decided to throw his lot with Shabir Shah. He jo'i-v :. the Democratic Freedom Party on July 17,1998.


In an effort to broadbase his DFP, Shabir Shall invited ruling National Conference legislators to join his party. On July 27, he called upon the MLAs to make common cause with him in the interest of people.

, According to him people were paying a very heavy price for supporting the Farooq Government.

Shabir Shah wanted to create a base for his Party in Jammu. He decided to organise a one-day convention at Jammu on September 3, 1998. Nearby 200 persons came W attend it. At the Convention he offered unconditional talks with Delhi saying "we are ready for unconditional talks with the'Central Government if the Government shows its concern about the problem". According to him the time was ripe for the negotiations. Jammu audience seemed to be happy to hear him say "I wish to apologise for all the step-motherly treatment meted out to Jammu region by the successive Nat ional Conference and Congress Governments. Discriminatory and biased policies are the conspiracies hatched by the professional politicians for their petty political gains" he

', alleged. They are imposed not accepted leaders" he said and added "I am also a victim of those so called Kashmiri leaders who have meted out

. step-motherly treatment with Jammu and Ladakh regions". Spelling out his Party's objective he said/ "It is not the question of Jammu or Kashmir. We are concerned about the whole State irrespective of caste, creed, religion and region bearing the brunt of the imposed politicians since 1947". As soon as the meeting ended there was commotion outside the Hall. Fearing breach of peace the Police first closed the gate and later arrested nearly 200 supporters alongwith Shabir Shah. The Party setup for Jammu was announced in the meeting.

The Party decided to present a memorandum at Delhi to the UN office for the Secretary General. Led by Shabir Shah some party activists I outside UN Representative's office in New Delhi staged a demonstration on October 12 to protest against non-inclusion of Kashmiri representatives in the talks scheduled in the next few days between India and Pakistan. Party spokesman Riaz Khewar said though his Party welcomed the bilateral talks but for final dispensation of Kashmir "true representatives of Jammu & Kashmir should be taken into confidence". Shabir Shah later presented a memorandum to UN office for being forwarded to Secretary General Kofi Anaan. The memorandum while welcoming resumption of hido-Pflk talks called it a futile exercise without participation of Kashmiri representatives. The memorandum said the two countries were dealing with Kashmir problem on a "superficial basis" since they will deal with Siachen and "Wullar Barrage only. "Siachen is merely a glacier in Jammu & Kashmir and Wullar Barrage is a scheme to exploit the water resources of Jflmmu & Kashmir Thai tlw Indo-Pnk talks would start by dealing with such territorial issues supports the

Teams & Turf 201

contention of the people of the State that India and Pakistan see Kashmir ' as a territorial dispute and continue to ignore the rights of the inhabitants " of the State".

The Party decided to take out a Protest March in Srinagar on December 10, 1998 to mark next day, the World Human Pdghts Day. The Police frustrated two attempts and when the party activists persisted

' twenty of them were arrested. This included many functionaries of the party including its Chairman, Syed Shabir Ahmed Shah. They were released later.

The Party marked its presence in POK also by opening an office at Muiaffarabad.

Following the Lahore meeting in February 1999 between the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan, the Party hailed the initiative to improve relations between the two countries. On March 25,1999 its Chairman, Shabir Shah congratulated the two Prime Ministers and said his Party was ready for talks with India and Pakistan. He however, maintained that the basis has to be right of self determination.

In March 1998 Shabir Shah distributed Rs 50 lacs from his personal collections to over 1200 victims of violence during militancy. These included many Kashmiri Pandit families. This distribution of relief money created goodwill for the Democratic Freedom Party. , ""

Ikhwan-uI-Musalmoon

Soon after the tragedy of Charar-I-Sharief in May 1995, militants in many outfits Were shocked by die activities of the "foreign militants". Many were disillusioned with Pakistan and its designs in Kashmir. Mohammed Yusuf Parray of the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen became a rallying point for most of them. Soon after a new organisation under the name Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon came into existence in the riorthern parts of Kashmir Valley. The area between Sumbal-Hajan arid Bandipore was the first scene of their activities. With this also started counter-insurgency in Kashmir.

Parray also known as "Jamshed Shirazi" but more popularly as "Kuka Parray"- a bard in his youth, soon gathered a dedicated band of many thousands. Members of this group considered activists of Jamait-e-Islnmi and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as "enemies of Kashmir". They in turn branded Musalmoon activists as an outfit "promoted and equipped by the Indian intelligence agencies to sabotage the ongoing secessionist movement".

This outfit for the first time registered its presence when its activists abducted 4 scribes from Srinagar in July 1995. Two were released to inform the Srinagar pressmen that other two would be released after all


Srinagar-based pressmen "present themselves" before the party High Command somewhere in northern Kashmir. Next day 42 mediapersons

' including editors of Srinagar newspapers and correspondents of outside papers, met Kuka Parray who wanted Srinagar press to give "adequate space" to activities of his group. In a statement released by him he said Jamait-e-Islami and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen "dubbed everyone else a traitor and infidel". He described his movement as a "rising revolution". He claimed that "future is ours".

The same day Al Fateh Force and United Forum of Militants asked

the press. Thereafter the 2 scribe? in their custody were also released. The Musalmoon also announced its accretion of strength and all

round reorganisation which was a sign of it enjoying increasing support from militants and general public at the same time. Former head of Al Fateh Force, Gowhar Illahi, its former launching Chief, Samad Khan, and its Divisional Commander Mir Niyazi joined this outfit. In the reorganisation that was announced on July 8,1995 Jamshed Shirazi was made the Supreme Commander. Ansar-ul-Haq was appointed Deputy Supreme Commander and Mir Niyazi as Publicity Chief. Mohd. Sultan was named the Military Advisor and Javed Iqbal was made the Chief

z Organiser. Divisional Commanders were also appointed. They were: Malik Niyazi for North Kashmir, Abdur Rehman Pattan for Central Kashmir and Sher Bahadur Khan for South Kashmir. Abu Hayat was

• named the Spokesman. Six District Commanders were also appointed later. They were: Umar Mukhtaf for Srinagar, Irshad for Baramullah,

f Daler Khan for Kupwara, Nasir Ali for Budgam, Abbas Shirazi for Pulwama and Dr. Manzoor for Anantnag Districts.

Many militants from different groups appealed to Kuka Parray to make efforts to iron out differences between his group and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Hurriyat Conference. On December 21, 1995 Parray appointed Hilal Ahmad Beg as Croup Representative to negotiate on his behalf. In a statement Parray said "we want to see sincere, clean people in APHC and those people with a disputed past are not fit to lead the caravan of Azadi". According to him "shortsighted, hypocrites and incompetent people in APHC should be isolated. Hardly anything came out of the negotiations.

In the meantime an Ikhwan delegation led by Kuka Parray went to Delhi on December 28,1995. There the delegation stayed over a month and met representatives of political parties, media, officials and NGOs. Talking to Pressmx January 9,1996 Parray denial tbua charge that he was a government agent by saying "I am nobody's agent. In fact those who level this charge arc themselves agents of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISO and other such agencies. The government officials who are busy

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fleecing the people, are scared of me". About communalisation in Kashmir he said he was sad that it was so because "Kashmir belonged to all those people who believed Kashmir to be their motherland, irrespective of religion, caste and creed. In spite of the unfortunate exodus of Kashmiri Pandits, you may be surprised to know that 20,000 pandits live in the Valley. Witch-hunting against them was started by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jamait-I-Islami and not the common Kashmiri Moslem. I am sorry to say that the two have been encouraged and tolerated by secular parties so far".

In another interview the Ikhwan Chief said in Delhi that though his group members were armed, they never killed innocent people. Explaining why the activists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen were their targets he said "because they have killed innocent Kashmiris, devastated public property and criminalised the Kashmiri society. They have done much damage to our culture which is based on human values, love and compassion. I am fighting for a peaceful Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. You may call it right of self determination". About the Srinagar press Parray said "it is tragic that the local press in the Valley presented a distorted picture of the reality".

Between November 1995 and February 1996 there were three armed clashes between Ikhwan militants and cadres of JKLF (Sidiqui). Though on account of firing from both sides in the vicinity of Hazratbal Shrine a few militants were injured, no one was killed.

Soon after his return from Delhi in the second week of February 1996, Parray claimed that his Ikhwan had become popular because it was "militant organisation of the people of Kashmir as per their aspirations". In a statement issued on February 11, Ikhwan Chairman said that anarchy and absence of accountability in militant organisations had brought Kashmir to the brink of total destruction. He said the foremost task of Ikhwan-ul-Musahnoon was "elimination of gun culture which will be assiduously pursued by Ikhwan". Blaming both Pakistan and India for what had happened in Kashmir, Parray said both the countries would have to account for "every drop of Kashmiris' blood". He also blamed the armed militants "who had taken to gun but were now misusing it in the name fo Jehad and looting people of money".

Five days later Parray said what Kashmir was witnessing at present was not Jehad but "fasaad". About political scenario he said "my only ambition is reunification of the State. Whenever the Kashmir issue is discussed for finding a solution, the question of the areas under the occupation of Pakistan should be foremost on the agenda. I would not allow disintegration of the State, particularly the three regions of Kashmir, fninmu and Lndakh, even if I have to sacrifice my life".


Following the example of many other militant outfits in previous years, Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon started publication of a weekly in Urdu under the title of "Tehreek-e-Kashmir" on February 19, 1996. It was claimed to be its official organ but was a'n unregistered publication. In the inaugural issue the organisation's Chief Commander Ansar-ul-Haq said that publications would "expose leaders and militants who misused the gun and sustain themselves on the blood of youth and miseries of common people".

Early in March 1996 the Ikhwan Commanders held a meeting to consider the situation in Kashmir Valley and to recast the outfit's role. In a statement on March 3, Ikhwan expressed its readiness to sacrifice everything to wipe out fundamentalism from Kashmir. Its spokesman, Tariq-ul-Islam, held Islamic fundamentalists responsible for all the miseries of Kashmiris they had undergone in the past seven years. Statement said its cadres had been told to punish "fundamentalist

-. activists including those who had caused death and destruction in Kashmir Valley" but were now living lavishly in five star comfort and had acquired big properties.

The statement also criticised pro-Pak elements for propagating fundamentalist theory of communal hatred which was negation of Kashmiriyat which believed in communal harmony and human brotherhood. The statement pledged Ikhwan to eliminate "such merchants of death and restore to the Kashmiris their traditional heritage".

After its successful visit to Delhi in January 1996 the Ikhwan sent a 7-member team under Parray to Jammu to visit Kashmiri migrant camps and to meet opinion makers. The delegation which went to Jammu in the fourth week of March 1996, included its important members like Ansar-ul-Haq, Shahbaz Gul and Mir Niyazi. On March 23 Parray and Ansar-ul-Haq unfolded their three point programme of "Operation Clean-up", which will include presentation of poll-time violence and return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandit migrants. They said "battle against Jamait-e-Islami, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and other enemies of people" will continue. Regarding Kashmiri Pandits they said "these Pandits are citizens of free India and have the right to live with honour and dignity in their homeland - Kashmir. It is a sad commentary on the political system that these citizens of India are refugees in their own country. The Government should pay immediate attention to their rehabilitation". The Ikhwan offered to get occupied houses of the migrants vacated maintaining that it was the sole responsibility of the Government to "reconstruct their houses and restore property illegally occupied or sold on forged documents". The Ikhwan leadership demanded that a Committee headed by Supmme Court judge should

Teams & Turf 205

probe "hawala rackets which in Kashmir have transformed terrorism into a profitable industry".

In early April 1996 the Ikhwan called upon the youth of the three regions of the State to join its "Save Kashmir Movement" in large numbers and fight against those elements who wanted bloodshed and division of the State. Ikhwan.Supremo Parray in a statement on April 2 said that "battle against bigotry had started and called upon all people of the State to join it.

A few days later the Ikhwan declared that it was "capable of fighting this war against Hizb and ISI on our own" but wanted to be given a free hand to deal with them. With the emergence of Awami League as the political wing of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon, the armed struggle role of the latter got reduced. The leadership of Ikhwan decided that J&K Ikhwan in Anantnag and it should be merged to form a new organisation called Jammu & Kashmir Ikhwan. Supremo of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon Kuka Parray and Chief of J&K Ikhwan Hilal Hyder at a joint press conference at Pampore on July 29,1996, announced the merger. Parray announced that he would not hold any office in the new anti-Pakistan guerilla outfit which would continue to work for elimination of gun culture from the ' State. This outfit will also provide security to all religious places, political, religious and social workers and government employees. He declared that the new outfit will function "completely under Jammu & Kashmir Awami League". He said that Liaqat alias Hilal Hyder would be the Ameer-e-Alla (Supremo) of the new outfit.

Hilal Hyder told the press that Ikhwan headquarter will be Srinagar so that there is better coordination with Awami League. According to him more than 500 activists of these two organisations had been killed in the past two years by pro-Pak outfits in Kashmir and Doda. Hyder announced that Ghulam Ahmed Gamgeen would be the Vice Chairman, Nanaji would be the Supreme Commander, Ishtiaq Mohammed and Abdur Rashid Kumbay would be Deputy Supreme Commanders. Fayaz Kashmiri was named Chief Commander of Operation and "General" Irshad would be the Military Advisor. Parray's deputy Papa Kishtwari was appointed as Chief Organiser. Three Divisional Commanders were also appointed. Ghulam Mohammed Sayeedpuri for Central Kashmir, Mushtaq AH for South Kashmir and Bashir Khan for North Kashmir. Hyder also named six District Commanders.

For the next 18 months or so the Ikhwan assisted the Security Forces in countering militancy in Kashmir Valley. The pro-Pak outfits were baying for their blood.

On June 21, 1998 Ikhwan's Chief Commander Manzoor Ahmed Parray (Kuka's nephew) with his deputy Ghulam Ahmed Pehloo, two , bodyguards Nnzir Ahmed Dar and Khurshid Ahmed Rathar nnd four '

206 Kashmir Underground •

others were travelling in a BP Gypsy from Hajan to Sumbal in Baramulla District,, when the Gypsy was blown up by an anti-tank mine planted on the road. Manzoor and four others died. Three others received serious injuries. Next day Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibility for the explosion. In a statement its spokesman said "the Commander and his associates were involved in killing of a large number of pro-Islamic and pro-freedom people". A police officer said those killed had "contributed a lot in containing militancy in the area. This group has done at least 15 successful operations with me only".

This entire area had been cleared of militants. It might receive a setback now that some foreign mercenaries had reportedly taken over and were trying to revive militant activity.

Jammu & Kashmir Awami League

Largely inspired by pioneering counter-insurgent Kuka Parray, Chief of the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon, members of different counter-insurgent groups that appeared in Kashmir in the second half of 1995, formed themselves into a new overground political party under the banner of Jarru^u & Kashmir Awami League, in November 1995. Paraywasmade the Chairman and a former Hizb Commander Mir Niyazi was made the General Secretary.

On launching of the League, Mir Niyazi said the members of the new organisation had taken a "pledge to stamp out terrorism and violence from our soil and restore peace and order in the State". He described Jamait-e-Islami as the main enemy of the Kashmir people and the foremost task was "to free people from the grip of Pak backed armed groups and mercenaries". About the transformation that had come about in the recent past, he said most of the youth who had been lured by the slogans of "Azadi" and "Nizam-e-Mustafa" some years ago "have now seen through the gameplan of the Inter Services Intelligence of Pakistan, who wanted to use us as guinea pigs in their nefarious design to turn Kashmir into a graveyard. We have realised that Pak backed Jamait had a definite design to impose a fascist-type regime on us and liquidate all that was best in our traditional value system, based on brotherhood and concern for fellow human beings". He also explained League's concept of right of self determination. According to him the League was committed to struggle for the exercise of this right by the people of the State a peaceful and free atmosphere, without the fear of the gun". Elaborating it he said "this right necessarily does uol mean accession to Pakistan or even independence, but free exercise of people unfettered-right to freedom and democratic rights, as enshrined in the UN Charter of Human Rights and Indian and State Constitution".

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About the organisational setup he said it will be a democratic organisation totally with its own structure and constitution. It will have a Central Council to guide the affairs of the Party. Representation on the Council will be given to all provinces of the State and seats will be reserved for representatives from POK. Its doors will be open to people from all parts of the State without consideration of caste, creed or religion. "Ours is a truly secular organisation and we are committed to uphold the pristine values of humanism and brotherhood, bequeathed to us by our great saints, Sufis and Rishis" he added.

Kuka Parray has ruled out Plebiscite as a solution of Kashmir problem. In an interview in Delhi on January 10,1996 he said "At one time, I did feel that Plebiscite could have been an ideal solution but the . relevant UN resolution laid down certain pre-conditions like vacation of POK territory by the Pakistan Army. Plebiscite has no meaning without that. Moreover, Pakistan has to first undo the merger of the northern areas of our State and also take back our territory ceded by it to China".

Towards the end of March 1996, the Awami League sent a delegation under its General Secretary Mir Niyazi to visit the Pandit migrant camps ._ in Jammu region and to talk with their leaders. Niyazi told the migrants in different camps that League was totally committed to early return to Kashmir of all migrants and their proper rehabilitation. The migrants were informed that League's parent body Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon had lost 438 of its members in "Kashmir in its crusade against Islamist fanatics and cruel terrorists who under the garb of Jehad were responsible for the present plight of the Kashmiri Pandits". He informed them that the League had formed a committee right down to the village level throughout Kashmir to collect data of abandoned property of the Pandits and make proper lists of all immovable property including arrable and non-arrable land, orchards, walnut trees, residential as well as commercial houses left behind by Kashmiri Pandits. He assured them that their property will be restored to them and on their return to their house they will be accorded full protection. He further promised them that the guilty who amassed wealth of crores in the past 6-7 years, would be punished.

When the elections for Parliament were announced, three important members of the Awami League filed their nomination .papers for Srinagar, Baramulln and Anantnag constituencies. They were Ansar-ul-I Iaq (Javed Ahmed Shah), Mir Niyazi (Ghulam Nabi Mir) and Capt. S.K. Tikoo, a Kashmiri Pandit who joined the party recently. Addressing the press on April 10,1996 after filing their nomination papers, the three -candidates said their party's shift from pro-Pakistan militancy to the ' democratic India as also the decision to contest elections were "conscious


efforts and not emotional impulses". They held the "Hurriyat leadership and militant commanders responsible for continuing senseless, purposeless and endless violence in Kashmir and adopting divisive tactics to manage their manipulation and exploitation of the armed struggle. We have been duped by Pakistan, ISI and turncoat politicians and have finaUy realised that the real Azadi was possible only within democratic India" they added.

Regarding their election manifesto they said it was "restoration of peace, dignity and cultural identity in the Valley. We will struggle for integrity of the State and continuation of Act 370 of the Indian Constitution conferring special status. We will restore to Kashmir its age-old composite culture and communal harmony".

First major election meeting in the Party HQ in Srinagar on April 20, 1996 was tried to be disturbed, by armed militants on a motorbike who threw a handgrenade and fired a few pistol shots. It injured two persons and damaged the public address system because the meeting had ended and three candidates had left. The candidates told the meeting that their party would bring to book "the politcial dacoits and bureaucrats who have been exploiting the people of the State for the last 6 years".

When some secessionist organisation including Hurriyat called on the government employees not to perform election duty, while the Government merely said their refusal would mean violation of various laws in this regard, the League Vice chairman Javed Hussain criticised the APHC leaders and demanded action against the boycotting employees. He reminded the employees that in the past 6 years all their \ strikes had achieved nothing except misery for their families by carrying out orders of those leaders who had vested interests.

The Party in June 1996 considered the problems of those militants who had surrendered to the Government but felt insecure because they had given up the gun. Its Vice Chairman Javed Hussain Shah in a statement on June 23 asked the Government to fulfill all promises made to militants before they surrendered. He urged the Government to streamline procedure of payment of rehabilitation allowances to reformed militants so that no middleman is allowed to pocket it. He further asked the Government to quickly absorb them in different departments or to provide them means of livelihood. He warned the Government that if assurances given to militants who had surrendered, were not fulfilled they may pick up the gun again.

Since the two militant outfits, Kuka Parray's Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon and Hilal Hyder's South Kashmir Ikhwan had merged their political wings Awami I .eague and Awami Conference also merged but retained the name of [&[< Awamu League. On fuly 30, (W6 its organisational strucutre was nniumived. Kuka Pan ay was madi* its Chairman and

Teams & Turf 209

Javed Hussain Shah its Senior Vice Chairman. Abdul Hameed Rathar was named its Junior Vice Chairman and Mir Gulam Nabi Niyazi was made General Secretary. Capt. S.K. Tikoo was nominated as Official Spokesman and Abdur Rashid Misgar was appointed its Chief Organiser.

At its first Press Conference its leaders demanded that an independent judicial probe by a Supreme Court Judge be ordered to look into "fortunes made by exploitative elements in politics and bureaucracy in Jammu & Kashmir in the last 50 years, particularly in the past 7 years, of non-accountability". The League leaders claimed credit for bringing out "this much of peace" and asserted that holding of Lok Sabha elections in Kashmir had become possible only "due to our sacrifices. We came forward when leaders of every other political party had escaped to save their lives and digest the money swindled". They further claimed that Kuka Parray's party was the "real torch-bearer of peace and the crusade against tyranny". .Alleging largescale misappropriation of liberal funds provided by the Central Government the League leaders said traditional politicians and brigades of bureaucrats had developed deep vested interest in continuance of the militancy. They said the happenings in Kashmir of the past 7 years had pushed Jammu and Kashmir State over 200 years back. They pleaded with Central Government to take up reconstruction work as a "mission on war footing through honest hands".

In July 1996 the League organised a daylong political convention at Jammu. Addressing the well attended meet, Kuka Parray assured full protection to all pilgrims to famous hindu shrine of Shri Amar Nath high in the mountains in the northern part of Kashmir Valley. He declared that activists of militant outfit Harkat-ul-Ansar which had banned the pilgrimage, would "be dealt with severely". Proclaiming his single point programme of restoring peace and amity in Jammu and Kashmir he said "we are proud of Indian secularism where every individual enjoys the political, economic, social and religious freedom. We are therefore committed to protect shrines and mosques, temples and gurudwaras".

Since the conclusion of the Parliamentary elections, the League had been alleging collusion of election machinery and mainstream political parties, it had decided not to take part in the Assembly election to be held shortly but reversed its decision dramatically and on August 13, 1996 announced its decision to participate in it. It decided to go alone and riot have poll alliance or seat adjustment with any other party. The League leadership held three long sessions to .arrive at this decision.

On August 21, 1996 the J&K Awami League was recognised as a regional party for the State by the Election Commission of India, on the basis of its performance in the Parliamentary elections held three montlis


earlier. It had polled over 96,000 votes in three Constituencies in Kashmir Valley.

While the Awami League was preparing to launch its election campaign in largescale, it received a major setback on August 31, when its General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Mir Niyazi resigned from the Party. The same day at a Congress Party press conference where its Election manifesto was released, Mir Niyazi alleged that "people in the Awami League are politically immature and I faced problems in pursuing political ambition".

Another shock for the organisation came in nine days when on September 8 its Vice Chairman Javed Ahmed Shah told press that he had withdrawn from the Assembly election and had decided to support the National Conference though he had not joined it. He said he had given up the gun and joined politics but ''some unwise friend wants to carry on politics with the help of the gun". He blamed the gun for "destruction in the Valley for last seven years and no nation can prosper while the gun is there".He disowned Kuka Parray and announced that he had assumed the Chairmanship of the Party. Other appointments he announced were R.L. Bhati as General Secretary, S.M. Saidpuri as Treasurer, Mukhtar Bhat as Organiser, Mir Qadri as Spokesman and Latif Bhat as Kashmir Provincial President. On the other hand Kuka Parray as Chairman of the League expelled Shah from the basic membership for six years because of violation of party discipline. He also declared that his party candidates had not withdrawn from elections.

A week later, the Awami League declined to surrender their arms until all the militants and ISI agents in Kashmir had been eliminated. Its spokesman, Ghulam Hasan Reshi, told the press that it would not be "safe and sensible" to lay down their arms when pro-Pak elements were still allowed to move about. He announced that Awami League had set up candidates in 52 constituencies including some constituencies in Jammu Division. However only its Chairman Mohd. Yusuf Parray won his seat from the Sonawari Constituency.

Javed Shah gave another jolt to the party when he decided to join the ruling National Conference. On October 21,1996 he told press that alongwith 1800 members he had joined the National Conference. He further claimed that 500 armed activists of J&K Ikhwan had surrendered their arms. He expressed faith in the leadership of Dr. Farooq Abdullah. He however conceded that Awami League and J&K Ikhwan had helped to defeat the designs of ISI in Kashmir in the past two years or so. He also announced the expulsion of Kuka Parray from the Awami I .eague. This had no material effect because laved Shah and his colleague had left Awami League.

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Kuka Parray continued to be Chairman of the organisation. After detailed discussion in its Executive Committee on January 10,1997 Parray offered "all possible support" to Farooq Government. This surprised all because only a few weeks earlier Parray had allega tions levelled against Ministers and National Conference leaders. He also dissolved all organisational committees and instead set up a 4-man Ad-hoc Committee to chalk out new political strategy and decide on tie-ups with regional or national parties.

Most of 1997 and part of 1998 was spent by the organisation in consolidating its bases in various parts of Kashmir and Jammu region. It also made efforts to bring different groups of surrendered militants under one alliance. Close cooperation between organisations headed by Kuka Parray, Javed Hussain Shah and Hilal Haider was agreed upon.

The League celebrated the Independence day on August 15,1998 at a public function attended by a large crowd from a number of villages, at Hajan near Sumbal. The long drawn function saw local boys and girls sing songs and national anthem which had been given up by schools since 1990. GOC of 8 Mountain Division Major General Mohinder Puri took the salute and hoisted the tricolor. The parade consisted of formation of CRPF, Ikhwan commanders dressed in white salwar kameez, followed by school chidren. Among those who attended the function were Javaid Hussein Shah, MLC, Chaudhary Jalaludin, Hilal Haider and Kukka Parray. Speaking on the occasion Parray said that the threats to the country's soverignity from the forces inimical to India was the biggest challenge today. \

The Awami League publicly honoured some of the counter insurgents who died fighting the pro-Pakistan militants in the recent past.

' Jammu & Kashmir Ikhwan

Some dissatisfied elements from different militants outfits, with the dawn of 1996, decided to form a separate group and name it Jammu & Kashmir Ikhwan. It's formation was announced on February 26, 1996 by Hilal Hyder and claimed to be it's Chief Commander.

He told the press that the new setup had become necessary in tKe changing situation in Kashmir and people needed to be given new direction. He however clarified that it will have no linkup with Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon of Kukka Parray and Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen of Niyaz Ikhwani. He announced that he had ordered unilateral ceasefire and told his cadres not to operate against the security forces. He described the Hurriyat conference as a "bundle of confused persons" who had

/ 212 Kashmir Underground

failed to register even one success in political or diplomatic field. He challenged the Hurriyat leadership to hold a public meeting anywhere in Anantnag district. He accused Harkat-ul-Ansar of engineering abductions of foreign tourists near Pahalgam and to evade responsibility and criticism, gave an imaginary outfit's name as Al Faran. Hyder appealed o the captors to release the hostages. Hyder claimed that his outfit had more than 1000 armed men operating mostly in South Kashmir under Acting Chief Commander "General" Owais.

The J&K Ikhwan believed that State's accession to India was final and it will not be allowed to be challenged by anyone. Ikhwan Supremo Hilal Hyder (real name (Liaqat Ali Khan) told Press on April 21,1996 that Kashmiris had been "misled by Pakistan and vested interests here" on this account. He blamed Pakistan and its Inter Services Intelligence for the present situation in Kashmir resulting in immense loss of life and property.

He admitted that taking up of the gun by the Kashmiri youth was a big blunder. But they were lured into it by Pakistan and its agents. The realisation had set in a couple of years ago that the armed movement launched in 1989 had not brought any positive results and had only resulted in disillusionment. It had lost popular support and was being kept alive only by foreign mercenaries sent across by Pakistan.

He said he had no hesitation in saying that "we have no love for gun now as it has already destroyed most of Kashmir and its economy". He also refuted the claim of Hurriyat Conference that it represented the Kashmiri people.

When Parliamentary elections were announced the Ikhwan decided to take part in them. For this purpose it formed a political wing and named it Awami Conference in April 1996. For the Anantnag Constituency it put up Abdul Rashid Misgar as its candidate. Though he lost the election, he was able to poll over 29,000 votes.

Taking into consideration the changing scenario, the Ikhwan decided to merge with Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. The merger was announced on July 26,1996 and the united outfit would work under the banner of J&K Ikhwan. Hilal Hyder was made its Chief. The Awami Conference was also merged with Musalmoon's Awami League and Kuka Parray was made its Chairman.

The same day, July 26, near its office in Anantnag town there was a big explosion in which 7 persons were killed and some 30 injured. Haider claimed that none of its activists were injured. He said "if the militants have to fight they have to fight with us. Let them come face to face. Why are they injuring the civilians?"

Later, when there was some criticism of his organisation members using the gun, Hilal Hyder in n statement on September 5, 19% assured

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that Ikhwan guns will be used "for safety of people of Kashmir irrespective of political affiliations".

The Ikhwan leadership continued to assist the Government in countering insurgency. It was promised a proper rehabilitation plan for its cadres. Since nothing concrete came out of it Haider announced on June 14,1997 that nearly 500 Ikhwan activists would offer mass surrender before the Chief Minister on July 1. He expressed dissatisfaction with the treatment meted out to former militants who had decided to join the mainstream. Following this, there were meetings with Kuka Parray and also with Government officers who promised to formulate proper plans t

for rehabilitation. On this assurance, Ikhwan announced postponement of mass

surrender by two months. The Ikhwan decided to give up all counter-insurgency activity in April 1998. On April 7, its leader Hilal Hyder declared that Ikhwan could not stand constant interference in its work by National Conference leaders. He said this had demoralised Ikhwan cadres which had helped security forces to keep militants at bay in Anantnag town for the past 4 years.

He also announced that Ikhwan cadres will give up arms and convert it into a social organisation.

The relations between it and the ruling National Conference soured leading it to open criticism of the State Government and its policies. Trie newly appointed Amir-I-Aala (Patron) Umar Sultan in a statement on July 13,1998 made Farooq Government's wrong policies responsible for resurgence of militancy in Jammu & Kashmir. He charged the State Government with ignoring the sacrifices made by Ikhwan cadre, in fighting the militants. He also demanded early rehabilitation of surrendered militants who had joined the mainstream. The bitterness of Ikhwan leaders was heightened because of Government's failure to arrest the killers of Wafadar Khan, Chief Commander of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon the previous month , who alongwith four colleagues was blown up by a landmine planted by some militants.

The Ikhwan announced on July 27 that it had arrested Manzoor Ahmed and Abdul Majid of a rival outfit who had confessed that they were involved in planting of the mine which killed Wafadar Khan and four others.

In the past few weeks consultations had been going on for all surrendered militants to have one strong organistion. On July 30,the three leading lights - Javed Hussain Shah (NC, MLC), Kuka Parray (MLA) and Hilal Haider met at Hajan (near Sumbal) and resolved their differences. They decided to form a joint front of all surrendered militants and "counter the rising trend of militancy". Haider said "the main reason for opting for a united front is the political discrimination meted out to


Ikhwanis by the National Conference Government". He said the Congress had not lagged behind in giving Ikhwan's a bad name. Javed Shah said proof would be collected to expose "all those politicians and bureaucrats in the establishment who have links with pro-Pakistan elements". He alleged that twelve local journalists had helped militants and had links with ISI in Pakistan.

The Ikhwan and Awami League jointly organised a "peoples rally" to celebrate Indian Independence Day at Hajan near Sumbal (Kuka Parray's village). There were over 5000 school children, people from nearby areas and counter insurgents present when on August 15,1998 Major General Mohinder Puri, GOC 8 Mountain Division took salute at the parade. Parade was formed by Ikhwanis CRPF and school children. Parade was attended by Kuka Parray, Hilal Haider, Javed Hussain Shah and many former militants.

On October 14, 1998 the J&K Ikhwan celebrated the fourth anniversary of its founding. The main function held at Hajan was attended by Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Krishan Pal. Addressing the function "Myon Kashmir Doh" (My Kashmir Day) the General said that Army acknowledged the supreme sacrifices made and services rendered by Ikhwan members in helping restoration of normalcy in Jammu & Kashmir. He told the gathering that Army would not leave the surrendered militants in the lurch but would extend all possible support to them. Lauding their role he said that the first counter-insurgent group who revolted against militancy in Kashmir in 1994 had helped to create conditions for holding elections in the State. He described them as "ears and eyes of the security forces".

In December 1998 when the Army organised a Seminar on Human Rights in Jammu, Hilal Haider was invited to speak.

The Army brass in Jammu & Kashmir, having found the usefulness of Ikhwan cadres, decided to help them monetarily lest they go back to the militant ranks. The JK Ikhawan observed its first "Martyrs Day" at Khanabal (Anantnag) on March 20,1999. On this occasion the Corps Commander Lt. Gen. Krishan Pal honoured families of 35 Ikhwan cadres who were killed in encounters with militants. From the funds for the Army's counter-insurgency operations, the General announced liberal allowance and grants. Every ordinary member of Ikhwan would get Rs 3,000/- per month, a Commander would receive Rs 4,000/- per month,

. a Batallion Commander would get Rs 5,000/- per month, a Council Member Rs 6,000/- per month and every member of the Executive Committee will receive Rs 7,500/- per month. The Chairman of the Ikhwan will be paid Rs 12,000/-per month. Every Ikhwan member will also receive Rs 2,500/- as annual kit allowance and will get Rs 1,500/- as premium for insurance cover of Rs 5 lacs each. The Army would also set

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up Knitting and Handicrafts Counters for Ikhwan widows at 3 Ikhwan camps in Anantnag District. Every family of a killed Ikhwan would get a Relief Grant of Rs 1 lac.

General Pal asked the cadres not to misuse their gun but be helpful to people. He said, he felt sorry for the families of young militants getting killed in encounters with Army. He said mission of Ikhwan and the Army was the same thatmilitancy be eliminated and said "Ikhwan Jawan Ek Hain".

Ikhwan Chairman Hilal Haider, speaking on the secession said Ikhwan had lost 65 of its members since 1995 when Ikhwan was formed-He also referred to its close cooperation with Army which resulted in the death of 45 militants in the past 3 months. According to him Ikhwan cadres had been specially instructed to respect human dignity. Referring to the State Government's treatment of surrendered militants Haider said "the National Conference fears we could become a political threat to them. While we have remained steadfast in our loyalties to India, the National Conference had flip-flopped between Pakistan and India".

Before the end of the function, 262 Ikhwan cadres also took oath from a Moulvi, to finish off militants from Kashmir.

J&K Tehreek-i-Watfan

In early February 1997 a group of such militants who had given up the gun and wanted to play a peaceful political role, decided to form memseives into a separate group to take on "Pakistan and help the Government in restoring peace and normalcy in the State".

Papa Kishtwari (Ghulam Mohammed Pampori), a former member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon and a close associate of Kuka Parray was made Chairman of the group. Ghulam Mohammed Syedpuri was made the Vice Chairman, Umar Mukhtar as General Secretary, Shamsudin as Chief Organiser and Sarwar Kashmiri as Publicity Secretary.

Its first Press Conference was held in Jammu on March 22,1997. It's Chairman Papa Kishtwari called for evolving a joint strategy by all pro-India groups to "crush Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its sponsored militants in Kashmir". He said there was an urgent need for a common strategy for meeting the danger of escalated violence. He disclosed his organisation had 1236 members who were actively engaged, in anti-militancy operations. He made it clear that "ours is neither a pro-government organisation nor is it associated with Pakistan". "It is a social group set up for the purpose of routing militancy and bring normalcy back in the State", he emphasised. According to him there were more than 500 foreign militants active in different parts of the Valley. Among them were Pakistanis, Sudanese and Afghans. He named W>^


pro-Pak outfits - Hizb-uI-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Ansar, who were , "a curse on Kashmir".

He said they had decided to help Farooq Government provided they were accorded due respect and compensation is paid to victims of militancy.

He praised the difficult work of Army, CRPF, BSF and reformed militants "for creating a congenial atmosphere for holding of elections".

Within the next few months differences arose between Kishtwari and some of his senior colleagues. On September 22,1997 an emergent meeting of its office-bearers and District Presidents was held at Srinagar. Next day the Vice Chairman Ghulam Mohd. Syedpuri told the Press that Kishtwari had been removed from the Chairmanship for his anti-party activities. Syedpuri was named the Acting Chairman.

Sadai-i-Kashmir

\ As more and more people started turning against the gun, small groups started getting together at different places in Kashmir Valley.

After Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon had shown the way in Bandipora area north of Wular Lake a new group of reformed militants formed themselves into Sadai-i-Kashmir and vowed to continue its struggle to

- end the gun culture which has made the life of people miserable. Its Chief, Shabnam Shafiq, told the media on May 1,1996 that he

never had been a terrorist or had indulged in extortion. Blaming Pakistan for destruction in the Valley Shafiqsaid "Pakistan cannot teach us to go for Jehad for they had pushed us towards darkness".

On the aims and objectives of his group he said the prime task of his group would be to protect the lives and property of all people, irrespective of the religion they belong to.

J&K Awami Tehrik

In late 1995 another group of those militants who had said goodbye to the gun, got together to form Awami Tehrik with Wali Mohammed Wani as its President. In May 1996 Parliamentary elections, the group fielded Wani from Baramulla, Haji Abdul Ahad Wani from Anantnag and Miss Mehbooba from Srinagar Constituencies unsuccessfully.

In 1993 Saleem Haroon of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had surrendered. After sometime he joined Ikhwan-i-Musalmoon of Kuka Parray and took part in some counter-insurgency operations. When Tehrik was formed he joined it and was made its Provincial Secrelaiy. Saleem whose real name was Abdul Majid Son belonged to Ganderbal area. This youngman

• of 35, was gunned down by unidentified militants in Srinagar on April • 17,1996.

Teams &Turf 217

In the Wings

There have been major players in this human tragedy. There have been those who marked their active presence in Jammu & Kashmir since 1989. But there have been smaller outfits which took birtli, some died in their infancy while others became inactive when they were starved of funds or did not receive a favourable response from the authorities across the border. Others faded out because they failed to muster local support. Among this category were :

Al Badr Al Hamzah Al Hyat Islamic Commandos Al Karbala Group Al Khomeni Al Maqbool Mujahideen Al Mehmoodi Mujahideen AlShams All J&K Students Field Front Ansarullah Ansar-ul-Islam Chaudhary Abbas Movement Democratic Liberation Army Free Army of Kashmir Gojar Liberation Tiger Haq-i-Khudidariat Mahaz Hizbullah Islamic Jhamuria J&K Hizb-uI-Zaheed Islami Jang Islamic Liberation Organisfion Islamic Jhammuria-i-Kashrnir Islami Harkat-ul-Momineen Islamic Revolutionary Front J&K Anjuman-i-Itehad J&K Muslim Mutihida Mahaz J&K Inqalabi Front J&K Inqalabi Council J&K Itehad Party J&K Liberation Organisation J&K Maqbool Guerilla Front J&K Moslem Front J&K Peoples United Front la,nnit-ul-Hndees

~ l.immu & Kashmir Islamic Front


Jehad Council Jinnah Liberation Tigers Kashmir Freedom Army Guerilla Commandos Kashmir Freedom Wing Kashmir Students Force Liberation Fighters Moslem Students Front Mujahideen Al Badr Mujahideen Balakote Mujahideen-i-Rehmat-ul-Almeen National Moslem United Front Pasban-i-Islam Peoples Front

Peoples Liberation Organisation Shaheed-i-Millat Youth Forum Shahbul-Musalmeen Students Missionary Front Tehrik-i-Jehad-i-Islami Tehrik-i-Azadi Tehrik-i-Khilafat-i-Islamia Tehrik-ul-Muslameen United Forum of Militants Victory Commando Force Zarb-i-Momin Zia Tiger Force

Among the outfits which were active at one time or the other were:

J&K Islamic Voice

The set up was started in Srinagar in October 1989. At that time it confined itself to clandestine distribution and ciiculation of subversive material and pasting of posters to "inform and educate the Kashmiri youth about the struggle for freedom". In June 1990 it decided to become an organisation to take more active part in the ongoing struggle. It decided to have a 'Qaid'- Leader -whose name was not disclosed. Names of other functionaries were also not made known.

It announced that the "only solution to the present Kashmir problem is to hold a plebiscite under the auspies of the United Nations Organisation". It said that the organisation would continue to work for securing right of self determination for the Kashmiris It further said that it believes in "peace, brotherhood and communal harmony".

It was learnt that it worked in close contact with the Peoples I .eague. It is mainly the propaganda wing of the underground. It had nvruiled

Teams & Turf 219

young students, both boys and girls, who gather and compile details into documents which are then sent to embassies and given to visiting foreign journalists. ".

J&K People's Liberation Army

A breakaway group of disgruntled elements in JKLF who floated this setup in 1990. Its founder President was Sher Khan - a 32 year old Gujar from Poonch District, who had relations settled in POK. He was one of the five activists of JKLF who were got released from the Government in exchange of Dr. Rubiya Sayeed in December 1989. Soon after his release he crossed over to POK to assist the ISI in training the Kashmiri youth and then to help them to infiltrate back into Kashmir. The idea of forming the PLA was born there.

Master Hakim Din was named the Deputy Chief Commander of the PLA.

The PLA indulged in small attacks or throwing a grenade or two. Before it could undertake any big operation, Sher Khan was arrested by the Security Forces, in Srinagar on August 3,1992.

The PLA did not attract many volunteers because people of Rajouri-Poonch region, by and large, refused to cooperate.

AlBakr

Towards the end of 1990, the ISI in Pakistan inducted into Kashmir a small group of highly trained guerillas under its own officer. However from Kashmir, an Afghan settled here for couple of generations, Mohd. Daud Khan was named as the Deputy Chief. He did not get much time to set up a proper network because in March 1991 he was arrested in Jammu.

Mujahideen Badr

A small outfit that surfaced in Kashmir in late 1990. Its Chief operated under the code name of "Omar Sharief".

On April 21, 1991 it made an announcement that a few "death squads" would be formed shortly for action against the Security Forces. However no claim was made of any killing or attack.

Lashkar-i-Ayubi

This is a Pakistan-based outfit whose activists frequently come to Kashmir for "assigned activities". That was in 1990. Later it established its


presence in Kashmir Valley. Its Baramulla Commander Hakeen Naveed Anjum was sent across the border for armed training and training in intelligence gathering. But within a few days of his return he was arrested. Since then it has functioned in fits and starts.

Akbar Tigers

The ISI of Pakistan helped to set up this group in late 1990 in Kupwara District. Soon a group of 15 young men were selected and sent across the border for indoctrination and training. After their return they were assigned tasks in Kupwara and Baramulla Districts. One of their most active militant - District Commander Ghulam Rasul Dar was arrested on November 7,1990.

Kashmir Freedom Movement (KFM)

It was launched in POK in the middle of 1990 by Abdul Hamid Deewani. In 1970 in Kashmir he had joined the Al Fatah group, but was arrested in 1971. He was freed after two years. In 1978, with three others, Deewani hijacked an Indian Airlines plane to Lahore.

On October 26,1990 its Deputy Chief Nazir Ahmed Sheikh and his associates kidnapped BSF Inspector Dharamvir Singh and later allegedly killed him.

In order to avoid arrest Nazir Ahmed Sheikh went out of the Valley. Three months later, on March 13,1991, his associate Abdul Rashid and Nazir Ahmed were arrested in Bombay.

Islamic Resistance Forum

This alliance was formed by three radical pro-Pak outfits in 1995 -Hizbullah, Jamait-ul-Mujahideen, and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

These outfits have ideological differences with the constituents of All Parties Hurriyat Conference.

Green Army

In 1991 a group of young men who were feeling that they were being denied the opportunity to "do things" on their initiative inside the Hizb-uI-Mujahideen decided lo break away. They formed themselves into a new group under this name on May 1, 1991. Most of them ultimately went back to the pnienl organisation.

Teams & Turf 221 >

Kashmir Liberation Council

It was established in Kashmir in 1991. The District Commanders were appointed. The leading one out of them was Abdul Hamid Hurra who operated in Northern Kashmir. He was arrested by Security Forces on January 13,1992.

Islam ka Fauji Bazoo (Armed Wing of Islam)

Towards the end of 1991 some disgruntled elements in the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen decided to leave the organisation. They formed themselves into a group and adopted this title for it. They selected Naseer-ul-lslam to lead them.

Al Inqalab Mujahideen

A group under this name appeared in Baramulla area in early 1992. Soon it was operating in Srinagar District also. This group was commanded by Umar Hyat Khan, belonging to POK-

Al Mustafa (Liberation Tiger Fighters)

A small organisation surfaced in Srinagar in the summer of 1990. It was allied to JKLF. Its Chief was Saleem Wani at the time it was formed. On September 6,1990 they claimed responsibility for the killing of two Bihari labourers on the plea that they were allegedly police informers in Beerwah area.

Its Chief, Saleem Wani, with seven associates was arrested on December 15,1991 near Trehgam in Kupwara District. Its Patron, Abu Tariq, temporarily assumed command till Sohail Ahmed alias Mohd. Saif Shah took over. He was however arrested by Security Forces at Batwara on the outskirts of Srinagar on June 21,1993.

Mujahideen-e-Albadr

This new outfit announced its arrival on the scene when on February 3, 1999 at Srinagar it claimed that it had broken an Army cordon in an area near Ganderbal (Shrinagar District) and escaped without losing any member. Police however claimed that one militant, a Pakistani national, Idris alias Snifullah from Sialkoto had been killed.


Al Jehadia Police Commandos

This is a body of deserters from J&K Police force. It was formed in 1990. Its President worked under the code name of Masud Manmoon. Its members were sought after by other outfits also since they were the "insiders" with knowledge of men and places. They were able to have many "moles" in sensitive places and positions in vital installations and government buildings. Many drivers of VIP cars were their members or sympathisers. They had a special wing which operated on the National Highway to disrupt traffic, and ambush and attack vehicles of security forces. For a long time the Chief of this operation was Abdul Majid Magray alias "Junaid". On April 2,1996 he was killed in an encounter.

The outfit merged with the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on April 5, 1991 and continued to undertake assigned task as heretofore. It was given a new name of "Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Police Commandos".

Hizb-i-Islami Kashmir

A group of Kashmiri Mujahideen, who had fought in the Afghan war on the side of Gulbudin Hekmatyar in 1990, found themselves in Pakistan at a loose end. Since earlier they had been trained by ISI, it was now decided to put them in a separate outfit and to send them into Kashmir for guerilla war. This band was named Hizb-I-Islami and was put under the command of Azhar Lodhi, who was made Ameer of this outfit. It , merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in May 1991.

Islami Inqalab Force (Also known as Front)

It surfaced in Kashmir in 1991. Its first Chief Commander was Hashim Hykal. He got killed in an encounter the Security Forces in Baramulla District on November 2,1991.

On March 8,1992 this outfit claimed responsibility for abduction of GhulamZia,AssistantStation Director of Radio Kashmir. The IIF sought release of two of its arrested activists, in exchange for two hostages held by it - Zia and M. A Dev, the Additional D.C. of Srinagar.

Its member Mohd. Raeef - a Bangladeshi national - planned blasts in Delhi. He was arrested before he could execute his plans.

Al Madad Yalgar-I-Ali

A shia-dominated gi imp which cnme into being in Kashmir in the winter ot 1990-91. Mohd Ashfnq Anwar Syed was the moving spirit behind

Teams & Turf 223

this group. After his arrest by Security Forces on July 10,1991, the group seems to have become inactive.

Tehrik-e-Islamia

This is another group that sprung up in 1991. It was a group of about 40 young men who operated under the command of Azhar Gilani. Before the group could achieve any major success, Gilani was arrested on November 11,1991.

Mahaaz-e-Islami (Islami Front of Jammu & Kashmir)

The Front was launched in Srinagar on February 16, 1991. Dr. Syed InayatuUah Andrabi was made the convenor. Its objective was securing the rights of Kashmir people. The Mahaaz would extend cooperation to all such organisations who had the same goal.

The Front was unhappy about the group rivalry and inter-group clashes among the militants. It continued its efforts of mediation in a low key manner. However, when it felt that the situation would hurt the peoples movement it called upon difference groups on April 2,1994 "not to fall into New Delhi's trap". He alleged that the Indian Government had launched a multi-pronged strategy to malign the militants and defame the movement.

Forum Against Sellout (FAS)

In 1991 some militant outfits became apprehensive of a few leading militants reportedly willing to have a dialogue with Delhi. Nine secessionist groups decided to form this organisation with Dr. InayatuUah Andrabi as Convenor. Among others it included Dukhtaran-I-Millat, Mahaaz-e-lslami, Hizbullah, Passadaran-I-Inqalab-I-Islami.

FAS decided to name all such elements as "traitors to the cause of Kashmiris" and if necessary to enforce a social boycott of those individuals.

Mujahideen-I-Islam

Master Ahsan Dar - a well-known and experienced militant was ousted from Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on November U, 1991. With a few close associates he set up this organisation on May 10,1992. He was made its Chief. Within a few days its name was changed to "Moslem Mujahideon".


Lashkar-I-Adam

Its existence was not known till on November 3, 1991 it claimed responsibility of abduction of Bashir Arif - Station Director of Radio Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh - from his residence at Dal Gate area in Srinagar.

Zarb-I-Haq

A new pro-Pak outfit which became known in February 1992 when it claimed to have abducted Dr. Mustafa Alain - son-in-law of Congress Leader Ghulam Rasul Kar - from his clinic in Batamalloo area of Srinagar on February 22.

Tehreek Jehad Islamia

This small outfit came into being in Kashmir in late 1990. Its main area of influence and operation was Kupwara District. Its Deputy Chief Commander Yunus Khan got killed in exchange of fire in Hardwara area on May 21,1991.

Soon after it was announced that this outfit will be merged with Moslem Janbaz Force with immediate effect but merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen instead.

Became active once again in 1996-97 in Kupwara District.

Tchrik-ul-Musalmin

This unknown outfit was in existence since 1991 but came into news on December 16, 1992 when BSF announced arrest of its Administrator, Ghulam Mohammad Rathod, from Budgam area.

He was known to have been active for a couple oi years. During this period he had gone to Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. From "some Saudi sympathisers" he had brought over Rs 5 crores through clandestine channels. BSF claimed this amount was spent to secure arms and ammunition which were distributed to its militants and to "friendly groups".

Pasadaran-I-Inqalab-e-IsIami (Guardians of the Islamic Revolution)

i

I On its behalf it was claimed in late 1990 that a special outfit had been established in Kashmir to safeguard the "Islamic Revolution in Kashmir".

Its very first major action was directed against the Jewish tourist*, in June 1991. On June 27, 1991 it claimed the responsibility of having

Teams & Turf 225

abducted eight foreign tourists, which included seven Israeli nationals and a Dutch girl, from two houseboats in Dal Lake area in Srinagar.

Pasadaran members at gun point abducted the tourists from two houseboats. They were later taken to another locality nearby where'the one Dutch and another Israeli girl were set free while the remaining six were taken to a hideout. Outside the hideout two Israelis were able to • get their hands freed from the ropes with which they had been tied.' They snatched the Kalashinikov Rifles of the two militants and attacked them. One Israeli tourist was killed and two militants lost their lives. One Israeli who was hiding in a field was handed over by locals to JKLF.

Immediately after the encounter Pasadaran announced that they had seized some documents from the foreigners which revealed the "real purpose of Israeli commandos visit to Kashmir".

After this incident Pasadaran have not surfaced at all.

Mujahideen-I-Kashmir

It claims to have been operating in Kashmir since early 1991 but public got to know about it only on July 27,1992 when in Sopore it hijacked six motor tankers full of kerosene oil. This consignment had been sent from Jammu for delivery to Army Supply Corps in Kupwara District and for units in Tangdhar.

Mujahideen-Fil-Islam

This little known outfit was headed by Idrees Khan. On April 14,1992 it claimed to have abducted Mohd. Latif Quereshi and Mohd. Sayed Khan, brother and brother-in-law of Mohd. Shaffi Quereshi, then Governor of Bihar.

Front Against Nationalists (FAN)

This outfit comprises of those who are fired by and committed to the concept of Pan-Islamism - One Ummah and One Nation. They are bitterly opposed to all talk of Kashmiriyat and its preservation. For them Islamisation of Kashmir is the sole object of this struggle.

This Front surfaced in Kashmir in September 1992. It was headed by an Arabic scholar who goes about linger the code name Abu Bakr.

Kashmir Guerilla Fmnt

This Front came into being in Kashmir in 1991. Its first Chief was given a code name of Shah Jehan.


The Front decided to enforce strict discipline over its cadres. It was announced tlnat young men were not supposed to use the gun for personal aggrandisement or to terrorise a common man but use it "for the glory of Islam and in furtherance of the objective of securing freedom from India".

Kashmir Army Force (K-2)

This special Force is directly under the operation control of ISI in Pakistan. It was headed by Najam-us-Saqib.

Saqib issued an Eid message in April 1992. This was not carried, even as a paid advertisement by two Urdu newspapers of Srinagar - Al Safa and Srinagar Times. On April 9,1992 Kashmir Army Force imposed a fine of Rs 1 lac on each newspaper. The newspapers were given one week's time to pay up or else "be ready for the consequences".

Kashmir Freedom Front (KFF)

This was established in Kashmir in the middle of 1990. Its strength was claimed to be around 300. Its first Chief Commander was Bashir Ahmed Bhat who had returned to Kashmir after undergoing rigorous training for six months in Pakistan. However, while he was on a visit to Delhi, he was arrested there on November 11,1992. In Pak this outfit was headed by Zia-ul-Haq Bukhari.

This Group's Chief Patron was Ali Mohd. Dar alias Sabir Khan.

Haider Regiment

This was formed in Srinagar in early 1992. Farooq Ahmed Handoo who was highly trained activist of rkhwan-ul-Musalmeeh was appointed Commander in July 1992. The group indulged in attacks on BSF posts and pickets in the City. This group also successfully looted Rs 55 lacs from 3 branches of J&K Bank, in Srinagar, between October 1991 and December 1992.

United Jehad Council

When the Pakistani patrons realised that there was hardly any coordination among the various groups operating in Kashmir the ISI brought 14 different outfits in POK into one alliance under the Chairmanship of Commander Manzoor Ahmed Shah. In 1992 in Kashmir the ISI was able to get only 8 outfits into this Council. Among them

Teams & Turf 227

were: Hizbullah, Al Umar Mujahideen, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen.

Pir Panjal Liberation Tigers

This was an offshoot of the Moslem Liberation Army. Twelve main activists were on the move in the Pir Panjal lower ranges when they were arrested by the Rajouri District Police on September 3,1992.

Islamia Students League

, The group of young men was formed by the Rehmani Group in 1992. Abrar Naseer was made its General Secretary.

Iqbal Park Coordination Committee

A combination of like-minded pro-Pak outfits in Srinagar, which was formed in late 1994. Its top functionary is 'Captain' Noor Khan, who is also its spokesman. BSF is their favourite target of attack.

Afghan Command Force

This group consisting mostly of veterans of the Afghan War announced their presence in Kashmir on June 26,1992. The force was commanded by "Field Marshal" Khan Jamaludin. He issued a statement criticising the militants for indulging in political activity. He said the militants in Kashmir were not able to produce any spectacular results. He advised them to do the job allotted to them single-mindedly.

Armed Moslem Mujahideen

Master Tara Dar fell out with some commandos of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in 1991 and branched off on his own. He got together a bunch of militants and announced the foundation of this group. He was made its Chief.

Hizb-ul-Momineen

This is a Shia-dominated organisation which claims to have patronage oi a fundamentalist group oi Iran-

Its presence in Kashmir became known only on October 26, 1993 when it gave a call for observing October 27 as a Black Day - because on th.it day in 1947 Indian troops had landed in Srinagar to meet the

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Pakistani attack on Kashmir. Since some other organisations had also called for the strike the impact of its call could not be gauged.

In July 1995 the US Ambassador in India, Frank Wisner, visited Kashmir. The Hizb General Secretary Baqar-ul-Saddam opposed the visit. He issued a statement strongly criticising the US policies and described those as against Islam.

On February 13,1996 its Supremo, Gulshan Abbas -who was in jail, issued a statement threatening destruction of US missions in different countries because of "unhelpful attitude of United States and its diabolic plans against Iran and the Islamic Revolution". It also called US "patron of all terrorism in the world". Abbas was arrested in 1995 at Delhi. He was released in 1997 in Kashmir and started his own business. But during this period he and other members of his group were engaged in rebuilding the outfit.

From Khanda village in Baramulla District on July 23,1998 the BSF was able to arrest 5 top leaders of this group including its Chief Ghulam Abbas. Others arrested were: Mohd. Zafar Mir alias Mujtaba, Ali Mohd. Mir alias Sherdil, Mohd. Ishaq Ganai alias Babbar and Mohd. Yusuf Mir alias Sultan. After the arrest they led BSF to an arms dump.

Imamia League

A Shia outfit recently raised. On February 13,1996 by a statement it criticised the US Government

for declaring a "non-formal war" on Iran. This was soon after the passing by the American Congress of the budgetary grant $ 200 million to CIA "for damaging the Iranian Revolution" in that country.

Ansar-ul-Mujahideen

This outfit was set up in March 1994. It is fully supported and totally funded by ISI in Pakistan. It works in close contact with Al Burq.

Its first Supremo was Bashir Ahmed Beg alias Hanief Inqalabi who had received extensive training across the LOG This outfit had thirty handpicked Afghan and Pak activists to lead it.

Beg was arrested on May 28,1994 when he was carelessly roaming in Regal Chowk in Srinagar.

K&K International

For quite some time the Pakistan ISI had been trying to formalise the • nexus between the militants under their control both in Punjab and

Kashmir. In February-March 1996, reports were available in Kashmir

Teams & Turf 229

that a new setup had been established by them for "better coordination" and smooth transport of arms. The Khalistan outfits had acquired greater sophistication and experience in ambushes, attacks and killings. While induction of foreign mercenaries into Kashmir had helped to bolster the sagging morale of militants in Kashmir, ISI plans to spread violence and militancy in other parts of India depended on coordination between various anti-Indian groups within India.

The new outfit "K&K International" may have taken more time to surface if the BSF had not apprehended a Pak infiltrator in Samba sector of Jammu region on April 29, 1996 and recovered from him printed letterheads showing that the new outfit had headoffice at "Sri Amritsar" and sub-office at "SIRINAGAR".

J&K Islamic Millat

It may have come into being earlier but it registered its presence on January 3,1996 when it owned responsibility of a powerful explosion in old city of Delhi. In this blast in busy commercial area of Saddar Bazar in the afternoon six persons were killed and 32 were injured.

A representative claiming to be its member telephoned some news agencies in New Delhi to claim the responsibility for the explosion "in support of our struggle for freedom in Kashmir".

Lashkar-I-farooqi

In early February 1996, in Srinagar a young girl Kulsooma in Srinagar was shot dead by unknown militants. A few days later a new outfit Lashkar-I-Farooqi owned responsibility for killing the girl branding her as a mukhbir (informer). Nothing was known aboufitsleader^hip or membership, antecedents or affiliation. s?' ^ n'v',lFt" J_^^>,J '

Since then nothing seems to have happ^ned/tcTestablish that that outfit is in existence. / $~~s

Lashkar-e-Hyder

This little known outfit which surfaced only uvAugust-September 1998 in Kashmir, claims to consist entirely of Taliban-trained foreign mercenaries. Its leader Maulana Mohd. Qasim said on November 5, 1998 that he had 1,050 Afghans under his command in Northern Kashmir. He also disclosed that 1,500 of his associates have been operating in Kashmir under the command of Sher Khan, for the last 3 years. He declared the "Taliban troops are here to give a steel frame to Kashmir


militancy. We are here to give a final push to Kashmiri militants to conquer Kashmir Valley".

J&K Islamic Resistance Force

A new set-up which appeared on the scene on January 3,1996 at Srinagar when it called for a Bandh in Kashmir, on January 5 to incite attention towards Kashmir dispute.

According to* the statement the strike was to protest against the "doublestandards of the United Nations and its anti-Moslem approach".

The response was lukewarm.

J&K Realistic Front (JKRF)

This new organisation was floated on August 10, 1996 by a veteran secessionist Hilal Ahmed War. At a Press Conference at Srinagar he said three aspects - human, political and economic - have to be kept in view in finding a lasting solution of Kashmir problem. He said in any case the will of majority of people should prevail. However, he said his Front was against participation in Assembly election because this will not bring forth any solution of the Kashmir tangle.

Islami Harkat-ul-Momineen

This outfit surfaced itself in Kashmir in March-April 1996. It announced that it was fully collaborating with Khalistan Liberation Force.

It claimed responsibility for bomb blasts in Pahar Ganj area of New Delhi which took place on April 21,1996 in which 9 persons died. Its activist Dawood Khan who was responsible for the blast was "awarded" for this operation. It also claimed responsibility for the blast on April 24, 1996 in Trikutanagar Police Station in Jammu.

As soon as Parliamentary elections were announced in April 1996, it asked no Kashmiri to contest elections. It said that those who disregard this directive would "be treated as traitors". It threatened to kill candidates as well as their relatives. It also warned journalists not to cooperate.with authorities in furthering electoral process.

In July 1996 it tried to disrupt the Amar Nath Yatra. It asked Moslems not to cooperate with the organisation of the Yatra.

It placed a ban from August 19,1996 on two Jammu-based English newspapers for "publishing statements of anti-national and ant i ' movement elements in an exaggerated manner". It also advised the Srinagar-based journalists to report fairly the events taking place in Kashmir Valley.

Teams & Turf 231

Jammu & Kashmir Islami Millat

This unknown outfit surfaced only on January 3,1996 when at Srinagar it claimed responsibility of the bomb blast in Sadder Bazar area of walled city of Delhi.

In this blast six persons were killed and 32 were injured. In this connection Police failed to arrest any of its activists.

Balakote Anjum

A small outfit based in Anantnag District. Its existence came to be known when Police in Delhi arrested one of its functionary on February 1,1997.

Sepoy-e-Mohammed (SEM)

The new organisation was set up in Pakistan in 1998 on the directions of the Kashmir Jehad Cell of 'Masada-e-Toiba' (MET) an umbrella of 18 powerful known Islamic terrorist organisation of the world.

This new set up was to take charge of direction of 17 active Pakistan sponsored militant organisations operating in Jammu & Kashmir. This " ~ decision was reportedly taken earlier at the meeting of the world organisations at the Pakistan Jamait-I-Islami headquarters. It was learnt that these participants had committed to contribute over 24 million rupees for the Kashmir Jehad Cell. This would be used for imparting advanced . training to Jehadis. The participants at this secret meeting were representatives of Bosnia Brigade, Akhwan-ul-Musalmeen of Egypt, Tehreek-ul-Islami of Tunis, and Underground movements in Jordan, Syria and Morocco.

In November 1998 information available spoke of infiltration of about 30 members of SEM into Poonch-Rajouri region of Jammu Province.

People's Forum for Justice (PFJ)

An overground front of 14 organisations and associations of Kashmir Valley, which was floated on March 13,1999 by Kashmir Bar Association. The statement issued claimed it to be a voluntary and apolitical forum. It termed the recent budget (State) proposals as "economic terrorism" and declared that the Forum will fight violations of human rights, administrative anarchy and the defective education policy tooth and nail.

The constituents of the Forum included: Kashmir Bar Association Kashmir Traders & Manufacturers Association

, Jammu & Kashmir Employees Conference


Passengers and Transporters Association Kashmir Students Union Kashmir Moslem Students Union Kashmir Motor Drivers Association JK Peoples Vigilance Bureau JK Medical Employees Federation JK Public Sector Employees Union Auto Rickshaw Drivers Association Western Motor Transport Company Municipality Employees and Workers Association Kashmir Taxi Drivers Association

The Forum set up an Executive Council. The Forum organised a strike on March 21,1999 throughout Kashmir. It was well-responded.

Government Employees Organisation

During the period of 1990-93 when militancy was at its height almost every department of the Government had set up a body to organise protests, strikes and to collect funds. However the more active ones were:

a) Medical Employees Federation b) Kashmir University Teachers Association c) Electricity Workers Union d) SRTC Employees Association e) J&K Employees Federation

The activities of such unions and associations were coordinated and directed by the apex body functioning as Employees Action Forum.

The Forlorn

O, blazing fires of hatred, Pray stop these leaping flames somewhere The trees are not yet in bloom, The corn has not grown ears, But verily someone's grief stricken father Is looking clearly at the body of his son, pierced with bullets

The thirsty Ami Maal is Dying of thirst; It is sand and sand all over The river beds are dry skeletons.

Will again the rivers come alive With roaring waters ? Will ever the greenery cover the earth ? Under the heating furnace of the moontide; What does it trickle down? Is it blood or drenching sweat?

Moment after moment of night Is the heat of a biazing bonfire, Sucking at our veins. And emiting boiling simoom.

My small baby would sleep awhile; Who has painfully been wriggling in Alien houses. While I hum the plaintive tune; That this agony is the lot of my Destitute soul. Will my dream never come true? Will the trees ever grow the shoots? And the dark demon (of night) killed? The sky is still furious.


Showing fire on tender twigs of Chinars. Tell me is it the dusk or the dawn?

The frightening witch of a sky Seated in the palanquin of death; Her face hideous with vengence Sows fire and brimstone; And leads towards poisonous paths Of missed goals;

0 Sage Kashyapa! This is no time to distance Yourself from us. O, Jalodbhava! You snatched all my dear ones, One by one. And under your horrible sharp sword, Despatched some to Malakhah graveyard And otliers to the crematorium of Diwan Bagh.

Give me a few drops of water, 1 would have scratched my memories, Tell me how to quench my thirst? Shall I irrigate the earth with it? ' Or water the parched land of Rishis?

O, my friends! You, traverse miles upon miles, Of plains and deserts, With useless paraphenalia; Beware, Lest the demon of draught Defrauds you and swallows you up again!

The flames are burning my forehead. All over I am searching for blades of grass; Where there would be heavenly verdure, Where streams would moisten the dry lips. Where human hearts would unite, Where food would suffice everyone; Where guileless love would spring;

Players and Captains 235

Where birds would fly unfettered; Where dragons would be extinct.

There I would lay down my life And would sacrifice myself.

PIAREY HATASH (Translated by R.K Bharati)

(The Daily Excelsior-January 9,19S4)

3

PLAYERS AND CAPTAINS

Guided, Misguided and the Guides A militant is a militant ^Whatever the cause.

Che Guvera.

The sudden eruption of militancy in Kashmir in January 1990 was result of long years of neglect, indifference and failure of administration to deal with situations and problems that arose from time to time, expeditiously and effectively. The Administration seemed to be lacking both in appreciation and sensitivity. The aggrieved, the discontented and the unemployed became pliable and willing material to mould. The opposition and the antinational elements tried to win them over to their way of thinking. Pakistan took full advantage of the situation and stoked the fires of discontent. The lethal mix of religious fundamentalism, gun culture, subversion, excitement and desire for power, was poured into Kashmir cauldron which already had plenty of highly inflammable material in it. Even after 9 years it has not died down. The human element was diverse. The common postulation is that Kashmiri youth were misguided on to the path of violence, handed a gun and pushed into it. It may be partly true. But large number of those who took this path, were well and truly guided. Their mentors and their guides were highly motivated, well indoctrinated and deeply committed persons. They had their objectives to be achieved by using these youngmen and women. "Jeans, Jackets and Jackboots—were the new lifestyle of some of Militants leaders in Kashmir. Before long many of militants realised that:

"A terrorist first loses his wife (family) and last loses his life— In between he loses his peace of mind, his happiness and his means of living. He is either killed on captured—there is no other future for him."

An attempt has been made to gather as much information as possible, about them and to present to my readers.


Players and Captains

Aboo, Iqbal: He was appointed head of the Kishtwar unit of Al-Fateh group in Doda District when the outfit was revived in September 1991. Group members under his direction reportedly abducted French engineer, Silva Antonio on 14/10/91 in Kishtwar from Dul Hash" Hydroelectric Project"

Abu Bakn Real name not known. Chief of lesser known outfit, "Front Against Nationalists" (FAN) which surfaced in middle of September 1992.

Abbas, Zubain Appointed Deputy Chief of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen in the reorganisation on 20/06/92.

Abdullah, Mohd: Alias Abu Vikas. A Pakistani national from Sind. A member of Lashkar-i-Toiba who came across to Kashmir in early 1998. With 4 others he was operating in Shopian town when he was killed in an encounter with Army men on July 15,1998.

Abdi, Zubain Commander-in-Chief (08/10/91) of Allah Tigers, a puritanical outfit strict about Islamic way of life.

Afghani, Idris Bhai: Chief of Al Mujahideen Force which was promoted by POK Premier Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan. In 1994 he was killed in Kashmir, in an encounter with Security Forces.

Afghani Muzz a mil: Appointed Military Adviser of Hizbullah on November 25,1995 when the Group was reorganised.

Afghani, Sajjad A.: Acting Chief of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, killed on 10/11/92 in an encounter n Srinagar.-

Afghani, Sajaad Khan: A Pak national, from Bhawalpur, Chief of Harkat-ul-Ansar, arrested in Srinagar on l l l h February 1994. He had come to Kashmir in June 1990. He had brought with him 40 Kashmiri youngmen trained in Pakistan. Finding that militancy in Kashmir was directionless and without any hard objective, he returned to Pakistan in 1991. He was made in charge of Kashmir operations at HUA headquarters at Islamabad. He took instructions directly from HUA Ameer (Chief) Maulana Shadatullah.

Earlier to his deputation to Kashmir he had fought in Afghanistan and Tajikistan. He summed up his philosophy when he said: "For us martyrdom is bliss".

After HUA activists had taken 2 Britons hostages from Aru near Pahalgam in June 1994, they demanded release of Sajjad and two others in exchange for release of the hostages.

AH, Muzam: Real name Shah, Mushtaq Ahmed: See Shah. Abrar, Ahmed, Dr.: See: Mehmood, Tahir. Afghani, Yaqub: A foreign militant who was member of Harkat-ul-

Ansnr. In 1998 he was deputed to operate in Kupwara District under


HUA Divisional Commander Samandar Pahalwan. In an encounter in a jungle in this District, he was killed alongwith Pahalwan.

Afghani, Owais: A tried member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In 1992 he was promoted as a District Commander. Police alleged that he was responsible for killing of Syad Gulam Nabi, Jt. Director Information on October 20,1992 and H. N. Wanchoo on December 5,1992.

Al Umar, Abu: An Afghan mujahid who joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Kashmir. He was operating in Sopore when he was killed in an encounter with Army on November 27,1993. When his blood was tested be was found to be having AIDs.

Afghani, Zardar Khan: Afghan national, member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen He was an IED expert and Army believed him to be responsible for most IED blasts in Surankot (Poonch) area in second half of 1998. When Armymen received reports of presence of group of foreign mercenaries in Sangla area (Poonch District) on January 29, 1999 they surrounded the area. In the encounter Afghani was killed while others escaped.

Abbas, Gulshan: Real name Ghulam Ahmed Mir. See Mir. Afghani, Zahoon Belonging to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. Was trained

in use of suphisticated arms and subversion in Pakistan. Was made Vice-Chairman of the outfit on 20/06/92. On 18/06/94 he announced that Ikhawan's Supreme Council had decided to suspend all activities for one month for forging unity. Advocated unified command of the groups working for "Azaadi Movement."

Ahmed, Altaf: A member of standing of JKLF. In 1991, he led one of the there factions of the outfit, the other two being led by Javed Mir and Jaffar Kashmiri.

Ahmed, Bilal: Better known as Altaf Alamgir. Appointed officiating Chief of Al Jehad on 21/05/93, when Sheikh Abdul Aziz was arrested. Two days later he was arrested alongwith two of his associates.

Ahmed, Farooq: Baramulla District Commander of "Al Jehad" group. On 06/12/97 he was arrested by SOG—J&K Police at Badgam.

Ahmed, Farooq: He was also known as "Col. Haider". Was Al JEHAD's Chief Area Commander for Kupwara District. A Pak trained militant with experience of Afghan front. He had escaped from police custody from SMHS Hospital in Sf inagar on 20/04/92. He was arrested .by JKAP from a Jammu hideout on 20/12/93 with two girls he had abducted from Doru in Anantnag District. Farooq allegedly was using the girls as sheild—to establish U\at an ordinary family was transiting through.

Afghani, Fayaz: Alias "Kachru".—In 1996 He was named as Chief Commander (operation).—of Ikhwan-i-Musalmoon. On 14/05/96, he


was injured in an encounter with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen activists in . Tullamulla (North Kashmir).

A hangar, Nissar Ahmed: Alias 'Nissa'.—A resident of Srinagar who was inducted into militancy in 1990. He rose gradually and in 1997 was made Deputy Chief of Al Jahad outfit. He was close to S. Hameed, the then Head of Shoura-e-Jehad and was appointed assistant to the financial Chief of Shaura-e-Jehad. In that capacity he received Rs 20 lacs since March 1996 from Pakistan-based Supremo of Al Jehad, Nazir Ahmed Sofi. The amount was reportedly routed via Nepal through a courier, Imran. This amount was disbursed" to various units of Al Jehad in Kashmir for subversive activities.

Ahangar was arrested in Srinagar on June 16,1998 by Kashmir Police. Ahmed, Altaf: Resident of Qamarwari, an outskirt of Srinagar. An

active member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He and 3 of his colleagues planted a lardmine on the Srinagar-Baramulla Highway on May 23,1998 in which Ghulam Nabi Shaheen, President of NC Youth Conference was seriously injured when his Gypsy was blown up. He was arrested on July 6,1998. While he was being taken to identify hideout of his colleagues, he jumped out of Police vehicle, to escape. He was shot dead.

Ahmed, Syed Ishfaq: Alias 'Bitta Pir'—A member of Lashkar-i-Toiba. He was Area Commander of Beerwah in Budgam District. He was involved in a number of subversive activities and attacks on Security Forces. In an encounter outside Beerwah town, on February 3,1999, the Security Forces killed him and iit'O others.

Adil, Abu: Alias "Shahji"—An Afghan national who was infiltrated into Pooch area in early 1998 and made District Commander of Lashkar-i-Toiba setup of Poonch and Rajouri Districts. Soon he had 4 Pakistani assistants who were made Sector Commanders. They were Mohd. Hanief (Lahore); Abu Jan (Gujranwala); Abu Khamad "Ghaznavi" (Multan) Mohd. Shahid alias Abu Hamza (Sheikhupura). In an encounter in Bani Behak in upper reaches of Surankot area on July 26, 1998, the Army commandos were able to kill all 5 LET commanders.

Ahmed, Bashin Code name "Driver". Belongs to Doda District. He was recruited in 1993 into Al Jehad and sent to Pakistan where he received 6 months military training and returned in 1994. Took part in a few operation but in 1995 joined Harkut-ul-Ansar because of "better remuneration, more sophisticated weapons, better clothing and larger group." He decided to quit because he hated the foreign mercenaries who were virtual masters and "we were only to carry out their commands." He also realised that only crimes were being committed in name of Jehad. He therefore decided to surrender to Army in Gandoh area of Doda in early May 1996.


Ahmed, Javed: An active militant belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Rose quickly to become District Commander for Anantnag District. In -1997 June, he crossed over the LOC for a meeting with 3 others and in August 1997 he returned from there with instructions and weapons to disrupt Independence Day celebration in Rajouri District. The BSF \\ • launched operation to catch them in Kandi area on receipt of information. On August 10, in an encounter Javed was killed and 3 other militants were arrested.

Ahmed Farooq: Alias "Fighter" Also known as "Major'. A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Belonged to Ganderbal area on outskirts of Srinagar. A District Commander who played important role in regrouping of his outfit for renewed insurgency in Ganderbal—Sumbal— Bandipura belt following installation of Forooq Government in October 1996. In an encounter with Police in Ganderbal area he was killed on October 21,1997

Ahmed, Nazir: Soon after the outfit "Kashmir Freedom Movement" was launched in 1990, he was made the Deputy Chief. On 26/10/90 he kidnapped BSF Inspector Dharamvir Singh—and allegedly killed him. He was later arrested in Bombay on 13/03/91.

Ahmed, Dr. Naseer: Was made General Secretary of the Islamic Students League on 09/02/93.

Ahmed, Javed: Alias Izrahil Khan. See "Khan". Ahmed, Naseer: In 1991 alongwith 16 other youth be was recruited

and sent across LOC for training in arms and subversion. He was promised salary of Rs 1400/- per month for terrorist activity in the Valley. He was made an Area Commander of Al Jehad group. In mid-August 1993 he was arrested in Srinagar.

Ahmed, Mustaq: Was one of the founders in 1986 of the Islamic Students League.

Ahmed, Riaz: An Area Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was killed in Srinagar, in an encounter with Security Forces on 07/12/ 92.

Ahmed, Rafiq: Also known as Anwar-ul-Islam. A District. Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was allegedly involved in conspiracy to kill DGP and others in Police Hqs., on 24/01 /92. He died in encouner before be could be apprehended.

Ahmed, Showkat "Grenade": A Divisional Commander of Al Umar was killed by Security Forces on 07/01/96 in Srinagar.

Afghani, Jamal: See Jamal Afghani. Ahmed, Imtiaz: A militant who was trained in Pakistan and on return

joined Al Umar Mujahideen where he rose rapidly. In 1998 he was made its Chief. When the Police raided a hideout in downtown Srinagar on

Players and Captains ' 241

September 4, 1998 Imtiaz was arrested along with his associate Tariq Ahmed.

Akram, Wasim: Alias "Abu Abbas" alias "Abu Amar" alias "Jabullah". A resident of Lahore (Pakistan). He was designated as Resident Agent in Northern India by Pakistan-based outfit, Laskhar-i-Toiba. In India he had gone about as Moin Khan S/O Jameel Ahmed and had lived at Muradabad (UP) for more than 3 years. He had secured an Indian Passport in 1995. He was alleged to have taken part in subversive activities in Jallandhar, Ludhiana, Malerkotla besides other places. In July 1997 he had shifted his base to Surankote near Poonch-(J&K) on instructions fromhis superiors in Pakistan according to Police. ON September 24,1998 in.an encounter near Surankote he was killed alongwith his colleague Abu Talya also a Pakistani.

Ahmed, Bashin A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In mid— 1998 hewas appointed "Launching Chief" forBadgam District. Kashmir Police arrested him on March 10,1999 from a hideout in Budgam area.

Ahmed, Imtiyaz: Code name:"Major Gul". See Gul. Ahmed, Suhail: real name Mohd. Saif Shah. Was made Chief of Al

Mustafa outfit in December 1991 when Saleem Warn" (erstwhile Chief) was arrested near Trehgam (Kupwara) on 05/12/91. Later he was released. Shah was again arrested by Security Forces on 21/06/93 at Batwara (Srinagar).

' A h m e d , Zahoor:-An active member of Hizb-ul lah. In the reorgnisation of the group on 03/10/92, Zahoor was made incharge of Ammunition—its receipt and distribution.

Ahmed , Zubain A Company Commander of Al Jehad killed by Security Forces in January 1993.

Ahmed, Fayaz: Also known as "Gen.Zia". A Pakistani-trained member of Harkut-ul-Mujahideen. He was rapidly promoted to the office of Military Advisor and Deputy Commander of the outfit. He was killed' by Security Forces on March 13, 1993 alongwith outfit's Acting Chief "Shahji".

Ahsan-uI-Haq, Moulvi: An active member of Islamic Students League. In a reshuffle in the organisation on February 9,1993 was made Chairman because of his close contacts with operatives across the LOC.

Akhtar,Shams-ul-Rehrrtan: A senior member of Moslem Janbaaz Force. In November 1992 was inducted into Al Jehad and was made incharge of recruitment etc. He was close to MJF Chairman, BabbarBadr. When MJF was revived on January 12, 1994, Akhtar was named Chief Commander.

Alamgir, Altaf: Real name Bilal Ahmed. See Ahmed. AH, Mozam: Real name: Mushtaq Ahmed Shah Bukhari. Belongs to

Lar, Ganderbal near Srinagar. A member of good standing of Al Burq


outfit. He had made three known visits across the LOC, in about 18 months before 1992. Having secured the confidence of rank and file of the outfit, he was soon made its Chief. However,on May 28,1994 he was arrested.

AH, Nasir: His family belongs to Baramulla District. For quite sometime he was a member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was a close associate of Kukka Parray. When Parray decided to branch out and formed Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon in early 1995, Nasir went along. When the new group was reorganised on July 8,1995 Nasir was made District Commander of Badgam District.

AH, Showkat: He was a member of Al Mujahideen Force. He had made many trips across the LOC in Poonch sector. In early 1993 he was made District Commander for Poonch. While returning from POK on October 25,1993 was killed by Security Forces in Poonch sector.

Amanullah Khan: See Khan. Ali, Usman: A member of Harkat-ul-Mujhideen—a special force set

up by ISI. He was appointed its Publicity Secretary, in January 1993. Andrabi, Asiya Firdous: The most wellknown woman leader of the .

Kashmir underground. She helped establish the organisation— Dukhtaran-i-Millat in 1987 at Srinagar.. It is allied idealogically to Jamait-I-Islami. Originally,it was a body devoted to social uplift of moslem women. She also manages Islamic Relief Committee and Islamic Blood Bank .She led many demonstrations and took part in protest meetings in first three years of militancy. She is married to Mohammed Qasim Faktoo, 1

5,1993 she was arrested at Srinagar Airport on arrival from New Delhi. Her husband and 5 month old son who arrived with her, were also taken into custody. She was detained under TADA. On October 7,1993. She was ordered to be released by TADA court. On release from jail, she was arrested and then detained under Public Safety Act. On Novemnber 15,1993 in a petition to the State High Court, she challenged herdetention. She also claimed Rs. 10 lacs as damages for illegal and improper detention. The Police alleged that she had gone to Delhi to collect Rs. 2.40 lacs from an agent of ISI tor carrying on subversive activities in Kashmir. An Febnruary 21, 1994 she was released from detention on Court's orders. Later, she termed as "traitors" all those militants who had agreed to have dialogue with New Delhi on March 15, 1996. She accused Master Ahsan Dar as masterminding this "conspiracy". She also severely criticised Hurriyat leaders for inaction and having adopted "pro-people" as against "pro-Pakistan" postures.

Andrabi, Dr. Syed Inayatullah: In Srinagar on February 16,1991 he launched "Islamic Front of Jammu & Kashmir". He wns a named its Convenor. This body later.came to be known ns "Mnha/.-1-Islami". Not


content with this, at a Press Conference on January 4,1992 he announced formation of an alliance of nine secessionist outfits. It was named "Forum Against Sell-Out"(FAS). On September 7,1993 he called upon people to stand united against anti-Islamic elements if they want the on-going movement to succeed.

' Anjum, Hakim Naved: He received training in Muzaffarabad(POK) in early 1990, in intelligence gathering and guerrilla warfare. On return to Kashmir Valley he helped to establish a Pak sponsored outfit "Lashkar-I-Ayubi". Later, he was made its Commander for Baramulla District. He was arrested on May 14,1990.

Ansari, Moulvi Mohd. Abbas: A leader of Shia community. President of Anjuman-e-Itehaad-e-Musalmeen. He associated himself with secessionist movement from the beginning. He was arrested on April 13,1990. When the All Parties Hurriyat Conference was formed on September 9,1993, he was made a member of the 7-man Executive Committee. He also was a member of two-man APHC delegation that was invited to attend the Casablanca meeting of Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) in winter of 1994-95. He left Srinagar on December 13,1994 for the foreign tour during which he also visited UK and Saudi Arabia. He returned to New Delhi on May 6,1995. He participated in a symbolic march on April 18,1996, of 6 Hurriyat leaders asking Indian Army to "quit Kashmir" He was arrested in the-morning and released in the evening.

Arshad, Abu: A member of the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. On June 20,1992 he was named Chief Commander of the Ikhwan. He was killed in an encounter with Security Forces on October 3,1992.

Ashraf, Zulfiqan A member of the Hizb-vl-Mujahideen. Rapidly climbing the hierarchy,he was made Deputy Chief for Doda District. He was arrested at Jammu on January 4,1994 by State Police.

Asghan A leader of Jammait-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested by Security Forces at Srinagar on September 11,1993 alongwith outfit's Chief Commander, "Gen" Abdullah.

Aurengzeb,Chaudhury: A resident of Kotli in POK.A prominent member of Al Mujahideen Force. He was arrested by Security Forces in May 1994^

Andrabi, Mohd.Altaf Khan: Real name: Mohd. Azam Inqalabi. See Inqulabli.

Alam, A: A senior-member of the Islamic Students League. In 1992 he was made Acting Chairman. On November 25,1992 he declared that though the League was a political organisation and it had not taken part in militancy, he was not against gun culture. According to him "the gun has to act as a watchgdog till the present freedom movement is taken to its logical conclusion." He said, "militancy in Kashmir was the result of


the backtracking of India on its promises and commitments, regarding the settlement of Kashmir dispute." In his opinion use of gun was only pressure tactics. He felt that any solution agreed upon by India and Pakistan should be referred to people of Jammu & Kashmir for acceptance. He was against the third option of independencebevag given for it would complicate the problem further. He was against division of Jammu & Kashmir State. He wanted India to accept the right of self determination of people of Jammu & Kashmir before any dialogue can be started with Delhi.

Aurengzeb: A senior activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When Hizb decided to start operations in Doda and Jammu, a network had to be created.. On February 18,1991, he was appointed Chief for the Jammu Province.

Alam, Maqbodl: A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1993 he was elevated and made the Secretary General of the Military Command Council. On January 1/1994, he made a comprehensive Report on the fortunes of the Group during 1993.

Azhar, Showkat: A Pakistani from Bhawalpur. After being trained * in use of arms and indoctrination he was made Secretary General of

newly floated outfit Lashkar-I-Toiba (inl994) and infiltrated into Kashmir Valley, where he \^as arrested in September 1995.

Azhar, Maulatfa Mohd. Masood: A Pakistani national. He was a serving Professor at Islami University, Karachi. When Pakistan decided

x-> to merge Harkat-ul- Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jihad-I-Islami, in November 1993, A^har was named Secretary General of the new body, Harkat-uI-Ansar. In January 1994 he came to Kashmir. Soon after,on Februay 12, 1994 he was arrested. While in detention he spoke to mediapersons," Soldiers of Islam have come from 12 countries to liberarte Kashmir. We will answer your carbines with rocket launchers. Our organisation has nothing to do with politics; we fight for religion, for the spread of Islam. We don't believe in the concept of nations. Wherever Moslems need our help, we will be there." His release was demanded by AL FARAN in July 1995 in return for 4 foreign hostages abducted by the outfit from Am near Pahalgam in Kashmir Valley.

Azam, Sikandan Real name is Fayaz Ahmed Wani. A member of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1990 he criss crossed LOC three times. In Kashmir he took part in many attacks on BSF bunkers. In 1992 he was promoted as a District Commander. In an encounter with Security Forces on December 24,1992, he was killed.

Aziz, Abdul: See Moosa, "Gen". Azad, Ghulani Nabi: Alias Nabba Azad. An activist of Moslem

Mujahideen who later became a District Administrator. After the outfit split in January 1995, he became head ol one faction. On February 6,


1996 he was expelled from the Moslem Mujahideen by Acting Supreme Commander, Shabir Ahmed Zargar . A few days later, on February 23,1996 he vowed to fight ISI sponsored militancy. On March 12,1996 he declared support for elections, on behalf of his organisation. In June 1996 he declared mat from now on he would devote himself fully to restore Kashmiriyat to its original glory. He further said that he would assist the Government in normalisation of the situation. For next 8/10 month he used his cadres to help this process. For this he invited wrath of the Hurriyat Conference. Azad used his Press Conference on June 28,1997 to reply to Hurriyat criticism of surrendered militants. Instead he accused the Hurriyat leaders of "destroying Kashmir'' and exploiting the situation for personal aggrandisement. He alleged that they were "making future only of their own progeny, bright." He was also critical of local press. He told them," you are not reporting facts, you are making Hurriyat leaders' personalities what they are not." According to him, Hurriyat leaders lacked people's mandate; they were misleading people.

Aijaz-ul-Haq: A member of Al Umar Mujahideen. In 1995 he was made District Commander for Kupwara District.. When he had come for a meeting of commanders of his outfit at Srinagar on March 6,1996, he got arrested.

Amin, Mohammed: A brother of Ghulam Nabi Fai, Chairman of New York based Kashmir American Council. Amin was co-ordinating activities of some militant organisations for his brother Fai. In an encounter with Security Forces on Octobe 9,1996, he was killed.

Aslam, Mohammed: Alias "Col.Zubair". A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (Doda unit). He was alleged to be responsible for a number of subversive activities in Doda District. On March 11, 1996 he was arrested by Security Forces from a hideout in Kishtwar town.

Aziz, Sheikh Abdul: Member of the original Moslem Jaanbaz Force (MJF). When it weas rechristened as Al Jehad, he was made its Supreme Commander in end of 1991. He was alleged to be responsible for killing of 13 Kashmiri Pandits in Pampore area. On May 21,1993 he was arrested alongwith 13 associates, by armymen in Pulwama District. Before taking up the gun Aziz was General Secretary of the Peoples League. He was released on June 8,1998. Two days later he was abducted by unknown armed militants. On August 3,1998 he was made Chairman of reunited Peoples League.

Ashraf, Mohammed: Alias Arif. An activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Highly trained in Afghanistan. For over 30 months in POK he was engaged in imparting training in use of arms and subversion to youth sent across from Kashmir Valley. He used to make visits across the LOC after every few months.. While he was in Kashmir, he was arrested by Kashmir Police on April 12, 1^96, at Ramban on the National Highway.

246 • Kashmir Underground

Ahmed, Sajjad: An activist of JKLF. He later became part of its Siddqui faction in end of 1995. He was one of the group that tried to

- force its entry into Hazratbal Shrine on March 24,1996 and got killed by the STF of J&K Police.

Akram, Mohammed: An active member of the JKLF who joined Sidiqui faction in 1995 when the party split. Along with Basharat Raza and others, he tried to force his entry into Hazratbal Shrine on MaFch 24, 1996 and was killed by the JKAP guards.

Akram, Commander: A senior activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When the organisation needed to have a separate Intelligence set-up, he was made head of the wing on February 18,1991- The set-up was named Field Intelligence Unit..

Alam, Imtiaz: A post-graduate from Budgam District. He was drawn to militancy in 1991 and rose quickly in the hierarchy of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 he was made outfit's Communication Chief. He was also made its Divisional Commander for Central Kashmir after he volunteered to fire missiles on some Security Forces posts. Most of the time he operated under the assumed name of 'Younis Raja. A house in Bagh-e-Mehtab locality of Srinagar, was surrounded by BSF on January 30,1998 and in an hour long encounter he and another militant were killed. Police claimed recovery of large cache of arms and ammunition.

Ahmed, Junaid: Alias 'Rasheed Salfi. A senior activist of Tehrik-, ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 he was promoted to become its Chief

Commander. However, he was arrested by Police from Srinagar's Old • City on October 28,1997.

Ahmed, Khurshid: A well trained member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In early 1997 he was promoted a Divisional Commander for Central sector where in Srinagar, he organised many incidents of firing,throwing of grenades and planting of IEDs. Security Forces arrested him from City areas on June 15,1997.

Ahmed, Masood: A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was deputed to strengthen its se-up in Doda District. In 1997 he was made Area Commander. With Security Forces closing in on him, he surrendered with personal weapons, on February 15,1998.

Arif, Abu: An Afghan national. A war veteran who after infiltration across the LOC in 1997 was sent to Doda District, to strengthen the Harkat-ul-Ansar set-up for increased activity. In an encounter with Security Forces, on January 2,1998 in a village near Thathri, he was killed along with a colleague, Abu Hamza •

Ahmed , Fayaz: Alias Fayaz Nabdi. A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. He was a Divisional Commander in 1996. Since, he was close to outfit's leader Kukka Parray, he was named, Chief Commander of Operations. Since he was an important counter-insurgent an organised


attempt on his life was made on October 27,1996 when militants attacked his residence near Sumbal. His life was saved because he was not at home. Over 200 militants including Pakistanis and Afghans used rockets, missiles besides rifles in the attack in which 4 counter-insurgents were killed, many injured and 3 kidnapped.

Adil, Abu Rehman: An Afghan national and a veteran of Afghan civil war. In 1996 he was inducted into Kashmir as member of Lashkar-I-Toiba. Soon he was given charge of Doda operations. In early 1997 he was promoted as Chief Commander of the area. In an encounter with STF of the State Police, he was killed in December 1997. From a diary recovered from his dead body, it became known that he also trained local militants in making of bombs from materials available locally.

Aziz-ur-Rehman: Alias Nazir Ahmed .An early militant and a longtime member of Jehad Force. On the death of its Chief, Jamal Afghani in December 1993, Aziz was made the Chief of Jehad Force. Based on authentic information about his hideout in Bemina locality of Srinagar, Security Forces surrounded the house on June 15,1994. In a bid to escape, he got killed However, Jehad Force alleged that he was arrested and later killed in custody

Abid, Abu: Real name is Abdul Shakoor. A Pakistani national from Bhawalpur. In 1997 he had been sent across the LOC, to command Harkut-ul-Ansar outfit in Poonch area. Along with 6 others he was killed in an encounter near Fatehpur in Mandi area of Poonch District, on May 31,1998.

Ahmed, Shabin Alias 'Gypsy'. Late in 1997 he was made an Area Commander for a part of Doda District by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In a few months he had carried out a series of actions against the Security Forces. He also constructed underground hideouts at 6 different places in Doda District, which were used by him and his associates, as shelter.

Ahmed, Shabin A militant belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who rose to be a Company Commander in Pattan (BaramuIIa District) He was killed on July 5,1998 in an encounter ith BSF in Sumbal area.

Asmi, Firdous: A member of Hurriyat Conference. When the AHPC opened its Awareness Bureau in New Delhi, he was appointed to head it on November 5,1995. Later, he was a member of the 3-man Hurriyat delegation whichg went to Islamabad to be present for the OIC's Contact Group on Jammu & Kashmir Ministerial meeting.

Ahmed, Fayaz: A senior member of Jamait-uI-Mujahideen. His area of operation was northwestern part of Kashmir. In 1997 he was made the JUM Financial Chief. From Handwara area he was arrested by Kashmir Police on June 17,1998

Akram, Mohammed: Alias 'Malik Taimoor'. See Taimoor.


Baba, Farooq: Real name Mohd. Sadiq. A committed member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Since he belonged to Anantnag District he was allowed to operate there during 1993 and 1994. He was involved allegedly in conspiracy to abduct and later kill Dr. Qazi Mohd. Nissar, Mirwaiz of South Kashmir, in June 1994. It was further alleged that he arranged the taxi to take back Dr. Qazi from Dyalgam to Anantnag on June 19, 1994. His associate Ghulam Nabi Reshi alias Gadda and he also got into the same taxi. After some distance it was halted and Qazi asked to get out. He was shot dead on the roadside, it was alleged.

Bari, 'General'Abdul: Real name Syed Ghulam Rasul. See Rasul. Bangi,Mohammed Ramzan: Alias "RambaKachru". AJKLFactivist

who'rose quickly and was made a District Commander. In 1994 he surrendered. Soon, he became a "spotter" with Security Forces. In a few months he became an impoortant counter-insurgent in Ganderbal belt. Later, he formed a group of his own. He joined the Panthers Party and contested unsuccessfully Legislative Assembly elections in September 1996. He was living in high security MLA Hostel at Srinagar. On June 29,1997, he was killed there in a bomb blast

Baba, Manzoor Ahmed: A senior member of Harkat-ul-Ansar now known as Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. He used a number of code names like Basharat Ahmed Khan, Basharat Nayeem, Nayeem Sadiqui and Nayeem Khan. He belonged to Batamalloo area of Srinagar where he came to be feared. On elimination of Shariq Bakshi in November 1998, Baba was appointed in his place as Divisional Commander for Central Kashmir by Shahbaz Khan (Jihadi) who was Harkat Chief then (presently he is Lashkar-I-Toiba Supreme Commander in the Valley). During the winter of 1998-99 Baba was able to motivate majority of surrendered militants in this area to rejoin the ranks. Three who refused to rejoin, were killed by him. He organised attacks on Tattoo Ground Army Camp, J&K Light Infantry Training Centre and BSF bunkers in Srinagar. He was responsible for killing of 5 policemen it was alleged. In association with Shahbaz Khan, Baba was responsible for escalation of militant activity in Srinagar City and Ganderbal belt in autumn 1998 and following winter. On March 20,1999 he was to confer with his associates in a house in Jehlum Market in Batmalloo. The house was surrounded by Police and in the encounter he, and his bodyguard Shabir Ahmed Dar were killed. He was reported1 to have been responsible for having written warning posters seen in the area asking the Batamalloo residents to evict all tenants connected with Police. He had also harassed Cable operators and he got sealed almost all the satellite channels excluding Pakistan TV.

Baba, Ghulam Nabi: A resident of Gulgam in Kupwara District. A seasoned militant who joined Harkat-ul-Ansar in 1997. In 1998 he was


made Deputy District Commander. In an encounter in Lolab Valley in Kupwara District on August

16,1998 he got killed alongwith a colleague. Bast, Saifudin: A battlehardened Afghan national. He was one of a -

group of 15 mercenaries which crossed over into Kupwara District from POK, in second week of August 1998. Next day, in an encounter with Army troops at Jagarpura vilage alongwith 5 other Afghans,one Iranian and a Pakistani, Bast was killed on August 11,1998.

Bab a, Reyaz Ahmed: Code name 'Gulzar'. He had joined militant ranks in 1990 and soon became a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He had received training in Pakistan and was a well-known explosives expert who could make IEDs from available materials. He was reported to have been responsible for Residency Road (Srinagar) blast in which 8 civilians were killed in 1995. With lot of 'action' to his credit, he was promoted as District Commander in 1997. In an encounter on February 26, 1999 in Maharajganj area of old city quarters of Srinagar, he was killed. His family members however, alleged that he was arrested and later killed in custody. Police alleged thathe was an extortionist also. He was known to have pressurised officers in awarding tenders and contracts from which he got his share.

Badr, Babban Real name is Syed Firdous Ahmed Baba. He belongs to Doda District of Jammu Division. A founder member of Moslem Janbaaz Force—armed wing of Peoples League. He had been associated with JKLF but after the death of Ashfaq Majid Wani, he could not pull orv with Yasin Malik and therefore drifted away. li\ November 1990 he had become Chairman of War Council of MJF. He was arrested on April 9, 1991. While he was in jail the MJF was converted to Al Jehad. In consultation with his close associates he revived the MJF on January 12, 1994. After his release he was made its Chief Patron. At one time , he had come close to Shabir Ahmed Shah but soon developed differences. In company of Imran Rahi, Billal Lodhi and Mohidin Lone, he addressed a Press Conference on February 8,1996 and offered to have a dialogue without conditions,with Delhi. He visited Delhi and on March 15,1996 met the Union Home Minister, S.B. Chavan. Badr soon formed a Forum for Resolution of Jammu & Kashmir {FROJK) and he was made its Chairman. In March 1997 he was admitted into the ruling National Conference and soon .was elected to Legislative Council as NC nominee. For {he UN Human Rights Commission annual meeting at Geneva in March 1998 he was sent by Kashmir Government as leader of 4-member delegation. In a Seminar at Geneva where Pakistan's role in fomenting subversion was discussed Firdous Syed accused Pakistan of pushing Afghans, Sudanese and Pakistani nationals to create trouble, violence and indulge in killing of innocent people. According to him "Pakistan


wanted to settle score with us for three defeats in wars with us suffered by it." Firdous Syed told the gathering that overwhelming participation of people in just concluded Parliamentary elections had proved that Kashmiri people had full faith in the democratic institutions of India. In his view the elections were a strong rebuff to Pakistan and the mercenary militants it had sent to Kashmir

Babban An Afghan veteran fighter who was sent to Kashmir in mid-1991 by Pak ISI to head the newly floated Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. He is reported to have met secretly in Srinagar, George Kaufman, UK Labour Party's shadow Foreign Secretary, when he visited Kashmir in August 1991.

Bakshi, Shakeel Ahmed: One of the three Bakshi brothers—all of them involved in militancy. He was a founder member of the Islamic Students League formed at Srinagar in 1986. When the League was banned on April 16,1990, he went underground. A few months earlier he had joined JKLF. He was in jail in 1988-9 for a short while. He was arrested in 1990 and after 4 years detention he was released. In end of 1993 a political organisation—J&K Political Movement was set up and Shakeel was made its Chief Patron. In 1994-95 he was JKLF Party Spokesman. When JKLF(Malik) was reorganised on May 3,1995, he was made its Secretary General. He opposed the Parliamentary elections in May 1996. Apprehending trouble the Police arrested him but he was released on baU on June 25,1996. Now he is a middle-rung functionary of the APHC Showkat and Shariq are his two brothers.

Bakshi, Showkat Ahmed: A senior member of JKLF. Soon after the spurt in militancy in 1990 he was made an Area Commander in Srinagar. However, in reorganisation of JKLF on April 5,1990 he was promoted and made Chief Area Commander of Srinagar with 7 Area Commanders under him. According to CBI which investigated allegations against him and challaned him, Showkat was alleged to have been involved in killings of Air Force personnel at Rawalpora ; killing of Lassa Koul, Director ,Door Darshan, Srinagar; kidnapping of Dr. Rubiya Sayed, daughter of Mufti Mohammed Sayed, the Indian Home Minister and some other cases. He was arrested in 1990 and continues to be in detention. In October 1998 he was shifted to Jammu and presented by police in TADA designated Court on October 5 to stand trial in cases challaned against him,Yasin Malik and others. Showkat told the Court that he was happy that after 8 years the trial of his cases was being started. He said he was confident to be cleared by the Court. The Court ordered that he be lodged in Sub-Jail at Kot Bhalwal near Jammu. Earlier, he had told his interrogators that the JKLF Chief, Amanullah Khan from Pakistan had instructed him (Showkat) to attack IAF personnel and also kill Lassa Koul. TADA Court at Jammu released him on bail on January 30,1999.


Bakshi, Shariq Ahmed: One of the well-known Bakshi brothers of \ Batamalloo. He followed his two brothers into militancy and became a functionary in Harkat-ul-Ansar. He soon rose to become a Divisional Commander. On November 8,1998 he was reported to be holding consultations with three other colleagues including two Pakistani nationals. The Security Forces surrounded the house at Peerbagh on the outskirts of Srinagar and in 7-hour encounter all the four militants were killed. Police alleged that Shakeel was involved in a number of attacks on police personnel in which 12 persons had got killed. Earlier, he was a student of Jehlum Valley Collage of Medical Sciences.

Bakr, Abu: Goes by this code name. He is Chief of the "Front Against Nationalist. (FAN)

Bachoo, Ghulam Mohammed: Belongs to Rainawari in Srinagar. He is a member of Hizbullah. He is better known as Zafar Jackson for he dresses like Michael Jackson the world famous singer. In 1993 he was arrested for allegedly being involved in killing of Pir Mohammed Shaffi, a former legislator. Police have alleged that he is accused of many rapes and of having killed a few persons after branding them as informers.

Bakhtawar, Begum: She is Patron of pro-Pak organisation—The Muslim Khawateen Markaz (Centre of Muslim Women). On July 27, 1995 she asked the Government to "immediately accept the demands of Al Faran and release the detained militants."

Bangroo, Mohd. Abdullah: Alias "Khalid". He was a founder member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1987 from Srinagar he went to Pakistan by clandestinely crossing the LOC. At Rawalpindi he made contacts with expatriate Kashmiries and the ISI. He was introduced to Afghan Mujahideen leadership including Gulbudin Hekamty ar and Shah ' * Ahmed Masood. He was reportedly the first Kashmiri youngman to have joined the Afghan Mujahideen and took part in real action. He returned to Kashmir in 1988-89. Soon he set about to found Hizb-ul-Mujahideen which came into being in early 1990. He was made its Deputy Chief.

' Police alleged that Bangroo was kingpin in conspiracy to kill Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohd. Farooq. It further alleged that Bangroo fired the first shot at close range in the sitting room of Mirwaiz residence at Nageen in Srinagar. His two colleagues after firing at Mirwaiz, escaped before an alarm could be raised. Bangroo became a legend among the militants and many myths were woven round him. The Police was after him and after 30 months, in an encounter at Barzala he was killed on November 5,1993.

Baloch, Khalid: Alias "Moulvi Sahib". Real name Gulzar Ahmed Tramboo. An active member of Jamait-uI-Mujahideen. In 1992 he was made a District Commander. Along with 3 others colleagues he was arrested in Srinagar on September 11,1993 when he was accompanying


JUM Chief Commander, "Gen"Abdullah. After his release he rejoined his outfit. Within a few months he was promoted as Deputy Supreme Commander. He was arrested again on June 26, 1998. During interrogation he confessed to his involvement in many attacks on Security Forces. He also led Police to hideout from which more man one qtl. RDX and large quantity of arms and ammunition were recovered. He also disclosed that before joining JUM he was a member of Al-Jehad outfit.

Bhat, Mohd. Yaseen: A militant belonging to Al Umar Mujahideen, who made 3 trips to Pakistan in a year. He was made Acting Chief after AUM Chief, Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar was arrested in 1992. He had direct contacts with senior officers of ISI in Pakistan like Brigadiers Ahmed, Saleem and Showkat. He also had access to ISI Chief, Lt. Gen. Durrani. During his interrogation following his arrest on April 27,1992 at Srinagar, he disclosed that ISI was regularly making funds available to selected militant outfits in Kashmir. AUM was among the favoured ones. He claimed that this assistance was enhanced after Sheikh Rashid, a Minister in Nawaz Sharief Government had used his influence with ISI.

Ba&harat, Raza: Belonged to JKLF. He was a Divisional Commander in 1993. He was holed up inside the Hazratbal Shrine in October. 1993 along with Mohd Idris and Shabir Siddiqui. He also surrendered arms when he alongwith others was allowed to leave the Shrine complex. When JKLF split in September 95, he sided with Siddiqui and was made Chief Commander. On March 24,1996 he and 17 others with arms forced entry into Hazratbal Shrine. In ah encounter he and 8 others were killed.

Beg, Ghulam Abbas: A Senior member of JKLF. Educated in Regional Engineering Collage, Srinagar. He was made Chief Organiser JKLF on November 1992. When rivalry and differences with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen became wide in 1994, HUM abducted him and another senior member Farooq Ahmed Siddiqui (Zain-ul-Abdin). Two groups later held meeting and a peace accord between them was finalised and the two hostages were released. He joined JKLF in 1986 when it was established in Kashmir Valley. He claimed that Kashmir unit of JKLF is autonomous in taking any decision. Acording to him "Pakistan is definitely involved in our movement and she is the only country which is not only supporting our movement but also mobilising the public opinion round the world in our favour."

Beg, Bashir Ahmed: Alias "Hanief Inqalabi". Early member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He separated from it in December 1993, to float Ansar-ul-Mujahideen with Pak and Afghan Mujahids, having been assured full and direct support of ISI. He belongs to Khag in Badgam District. Joined militant ranks in 1990 and went over to POK. He stayed 2 months at Muznffarabad whare he also received training in arms and subversion.

Players and Captains 253 •

He returned in 1991 to join Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. At Regal Chowk, ; Srinagar he was arrested on May 28,1994.

Beigh, Hillal Ahmed: One of the veterans of militancy in Kashmir. He was an empoyee of Radio Kashmir. After the Islamic Students League was formed in 1986 he joined it and soon became its Chief. He was alleged to have led a group of 14 militants who abducted on April 6,1990 the Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof. Mushir-ul-Hzq and his Secretary, Abdul Ghani, who were found dead on April 10,1990. He was also alleged to have been involved in the conspiracy to abduct on April 6,1990 and later kill on April 10,1990, Mr. H. L. Khera, General Manager of HMT Factory near Srinagar. The ISL was later renamed' Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen in 1991. He was made its Chief Commander and was made Chief of the outfit on June 20,1992. In 1993 he went over to Pakistan from, where he returned in May 1994. On January 24,1995 he directed his cadres to "kill" Hurriyat leader Prof. Abdul Ghani Bhat for "anti-freedom" Press Conference .at New Delhi. When Ikhwan got a new Chief, Niaz Ikhwani, Beigh was expelled for "betrayal". Later in 1995 he got married and became inactive politically.

The Kashmir Police killed him in an encounter on July 16,1996, on outskirts of Srinagar where he was engaged in a meeting with other militants.

Beg, Farooq Ahmed: He was associated with JK Students Liberation Front which was later merged with Ikhawan-ul-Musalmeen. He is alleged to have been involved in conspiracy to abduct and kill HMT General Manager H. L. Khera in April 1990.

He was challaned on this charge in TADA Court at Jammu on August 1,1991 alongwith 14 others.

Bhat, Farooq Ahmed: He was an important member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. In late 1992 he was put in charge of Arms & Ammunition store of the outfit. In an encounter with Security Forces on March 13, 1993 he was killed. Two of his colleagues with him, who got killed were, Acting Chief, "Shahji" and Dy. Commander "Gen" Zia.

Bhat, Khalid Ahmed: Alias "Raja". A member of Students Liberation Front. He was involved allegedly in abduction on April 6,1990 of H. L. Khera, General Manager, HMT Watch Factory and his subsequent killing.

Bhat, Mohd. Maqbool: Founder of JKLF. A resident of Trehgam in Kupwara District. He was born in 1939. In 1958 he crossed the CeaseFire Line and went to Peshawar in Pakistan. He got his M. A. and LLB degrees there. Later, at Sialkot, he was made Secretary of Pakistan unit of J&K Plebiscite Front. In 1966 he infiltrated into Kashmir Valley when he allegedly killed a CID official. He was apprehended in September 1966. He was tried "and a Court sentenced him, to c'eath in August 1968. However, he managed to escape from jail in December 1968 and crossed


back to Pakistan. There twice he was detained for being a suspected Indian spy. He was released in March 1969. In 1976 he crossed over to Kashmir again. He was alleged to have committed a Bank robbery and killed its manager in Kupwara District. He was tried at Srinagar by Sessions Judge, Nila Kanth Ganju, who sentenced him to death. For better security Bhat was transferred from Central Jail, Srinagar to Tihar Jail at Delhi. After JKLF assasinated Indian diplomat Ravindra Mhatre in UK, Maqbool was executed on February 11,1984. Since 1987, this day every year in Kashmir, is observed as "Maqbool Bhat Day" by JKLF. Muzzafar Hussain Beg, a Senior Advocate of the Supreme Court of India and Bhat's Counsel in 1984, disclosed at Srinagar on February 9,1998 that J&K High Court had not confirmed the death sentence awarded to Bhat by the Sessions Court. "When I approached the Supreme Court, it did not pay heed to my plea and gave clearance to the hanging of Maqbool Bhat." Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in 1994 had claimed that Bhat had drawn inspiration from the Jamait-i-lslami but was refuted by JKLF who described Bhat as *Socrafes of Kashmir who aroused the people from centuries of slumber/''

Baloch, AH: An Afghan national with rich experience of guerrilla warfare. A commander of Harkat-ul-Ansar, infiltrated into Poonch area in 1997, from across the border. His area of operation, Loran Mandi lies north of Poonch town. In an encounter with Security Forces, he was killed on July 19,1998.

Bhat, Shaukat Maqbool: Younger son of Mohammed Maqbool Bhat, one of the founder of JKNLF and later JKLF. Although the family belonged to Trehgam in Kupwara District of Kashmir, he has never been to Kashmir all through 31 years of his life. He was born in Peshawar and was educated there. When it was decided that he should get involved in politics the natural choice was JKNLF. He climbed up quickly and in 1996 he was made the Chairman. He soon went on 6 month long tour of United Kingdom. He was critical of gun culture and communalising of Kashmir situation. He wanted Hurriyat Conference to dissociate it self from Pakistan backed sectarian groups. He blamed both Pakistan and India for troubles of Kashmiris and demanded that both accept Kashmir as a united independent Kashmir.

Bombaar Khan: See Shah, Ahmed. Bajaj, Shuja Ahmed: He was an Area Commander in Srinagar of

Hizbullah outfit. He was arrested by Police on November 5,1992. Bhat, Aijaz Ahmed: Alias Aazarn. Resident of Khanqa-e-MauIla,

Srinagar. He made 3 visits across the LOC in two years—1995 and 1996. In 1997 June, tye was made Acting Chief of Harkat-ul-Ansar in Kashmir. He was involved in killing of some BSF personnel among others. In an encounter with Kashmir Police in Pandachak village near Ganderbal on


August 9, 1997 Bhat was killed alongwith two other HUA militants, Tanvir Ahmed and Abdus Samad.

Bhat, Abdul Rashid: Belonging to Sopore, he was drawn into militant ranks in 1991 and crossed over to POK. He was trained in use of arms and subversion. Late in January 1998 he crossed over to Jammu area from Shakargarh near Sialkot with 1S1 instructions to cause explosions in Jammu City. Before he could plant any bomb, he was arrested by Police on February6,1998.

Bhai, Khatib: A Pakistani national who was infiltrated across the LOC in 1996 and in 1997 made District Commander for Doda for Lashkar-e-Toiba. Since he was a trusted operative of ISI, it left chalking out of operational stategy in Doda, to him and the other two groups of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Ansar were asked to coordinate with him. This was resented by them and in January 1998 serious differences were reported in the insurgents ranks.

Bhat, Bilal Ahmed: Alias "Abbas". Also known as "Crush India". He was one of the District Commanders for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for Srinagar in winter of 1997-98. On June 22,1998 he was arrested by SOG of State Police from an outskirt of Srinagar. Police claimed Bhat had confessed his involvement in February 1996 besides many attacks on Security Forces and strategic places including a rocket attack on Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar on Republic Day 1998.

Bhai, Abu Mohammed: An Afghan national. A senior member of Lashkar-e-Toiba. In an encounter with BSF at Dhamkote inUdhampur . \ District, on July 6,1998, he was killed. Besides arms and ammunition, a • ' wireless set, large amount of Indian currency was also recovered from his dead body.

Bhai, Tariq: A senior member of Lashkar-i-Toiba. He was sent from Pakistan by ISI in early 1998 to be Deputy Commander of LET in Poonch-Rejouri Districts. He was also made Deputy Chief of the Unified Command Council of 3 militant outfits in these two Districts. He was to assist its Chief, "General" Badshah Khan. Tariq was killed alongwith his Chief on June 25, 1998 in a jungle near Surankote area of Poonch District.

Bhatt, Bilal Ahmed: A member of Ikhawan-ul-Musalmeen. He received arms training in Pakistan. He had been an active courier traveling frequently to Peshawar, Lahore and Karachi beside Islamabad in Pakistan and Nepal. For many years he was closely associated with Dr. Ghulam Qadir Wani of Islamic Students League. He was arrested by Police from a Jammu Hotel on February 20,1996.

Bhatt, Lateef: Alias "Idris Khan". A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was its Publicity Chief for over n year. From Press Knclave, Srinagarho was arrested on August 7, 19^4.

256 Kashmir Underground - - .

Bhatt, Mohd. Idris: A member of JKLF. He was holed up inside Hazartbal Shrine for 32 days in October—November 1993. On behalf of the holed up militants, he was chief negotiator with the J&K Government. Alongwith others he agreed to surrender with arms to the Security Forces. On February 10,1995 he was shot dead allegedly by Hizb activists.

Bhatt, Mohd. Ashraf: A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. In early 1993 was promoted as Deputy Commander.

Bhat, Jawed Ahmed: Alias Sikander Khan. Also known as Javed Dabrani and by some as Abdul Jabbar. He was a very active militant since 1990. A member of Harkat-ul-Ansar since 1993. In 1995 he was put in charge of the implementation of ban on Amarnath yatra—"Op Yatra Roko". His group claimed him to be a commander of "great military capability and an expert in fabricating IEDs and Remote control devices". He became Chief Commander in 1995. He was killed on February 16, 1996 in Nai Basti, Anantnag while assembling an IED in a house. He had been supervising operation in Kashmir Valley and Doda District. These received a big jolt, with his death.

Bhatt, Ghulam Nabi: Younger brother of Mohd. Maqbool Bhatt, , founder of JKLF. He has played minor roles in the outfit. When in 1991,

the group was splitting into three factions led by Javed Ahmed Mir, Altaf Ahmed and Jaff ar Kashmiri, he made vain attempts to bring them together in the name of his late brother, Maqbool.

Bidar, Abdul Qayoom: A member of MJF later AL Jehad. In early 1993 was promoted as Divisional Commander for Baramulla and Kupwara Districts. The Security Forces arrested him on July &, 1993, along with 4 colleagues.

Bhatt, Ghulam Mohammed: Belonged to Ikwan-ul-Musalmeen (JKSLF). Police alleged he was involved in conspiracy to abduct in Srinagar on April 6,1990, H. L. Khera, Gen. Manager of HMT factory and later kill-him. Bhatt is facing trial under TADA.

Butt, Bashir Ahmed: He was made Chief Commander of Kashmir Freedom Front (KFF) soon after the outfit was set up in Kashmir in middle of 1990. He had received 6 months training in Pakistan in winter of 1989— 90. He was receiving directions and material assistance from Zia-ul-Haq Bukhari, Chief of KFF set up in Pakistan. He was arrested on November 11,1992 at Delhi.

Butt, Farooq Ahmed: A member of JKLF who rose to be the Regimental Commander in 1992. In an encounter in Badgam with Security Forces he was killed on September 17,1993.

Butt, Mohammed Yasin: A senior guerrilla leader of Ikhawan-ul-Musalmeen on March 31, 1993 he wrote to State Governor that unless two detained leader, Javed Ahmed Shalla and Mohammed SIdiq Sofi were produced before public. Government should be prepared for grave


consequences. It was earlier alleged they had been killed while in detention.

Bhat, Sajjad Ahmed: Alias "Shahbaaz". Also known as "Rajan". A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was in early 1994 promoted as Commander of Civil Lines in Srinagar. Kashmir Police arrested him on October 18,1994 from a Srinagar street when he was accompanied by two women, posing as a family out for a stroll.

Bilal, Amj ad: A militant of 4 years standing. An important member of Harkat-ul-Ansar. When its Chief, Sajjad Afghani was arrested in February his place as Acting Chief Commander on February 22,1993.

Bhat, Bashir Ahmed: General Secretary of Mahaz-i-Azadi for most of 1980s till it was banned by State Government on April 16,1990.

Bhat, Prof. Abdul Ghani: President of J&K Muslim Conference A founder member of the All Parties Hurtiyat Conference. A teacher by profession, he is considered APHC idealogue. He was dissimissed from Government service in 1986 by G. M. Shah Government for "anti-government" activities. Later he helped to form Muslim United Front (MUF) in 1987. He was arrested on March 2,1990. Right from September 1993 he has been a member of the 7-member Executive Committee of APHC and from 1996, its Spokasman. Prof.Ghani, as he is better known, became more prominent when among the secessionists, realisation set in that gun alone was not enough, political content had to be given to the movemnt. On October 20,1992 he called upon people to came out on streets and raise their voice so that the "world hears you. We are not cowards and we should now unitedly fi^ht back". He asked them to take out processions and stage protest demonstrations.-He advised people to unitedly frustrate the Security Forces in their cordon and search operations, by breaking the cordon and not allowing them to kill youth in "fake" encounters. He planned to go abroad but before he could leave, his Passport was impounded at New Delhi on May 6,1993. Soon after, he called for a peaceful solution of Kashmir problem. He said," we prefer a dialogue to armed struggle for solution of this problem". But, he wanted the basic question of right of self determination to be recognised. He pointedly said neither partition of the State nor restoration of Article 370 of Indian Constitution, would satisfy the people. He further said that "implementation of the UN Resolutions on Kashmir is not the only solution." He reiterated his stand that India and Pakistan hand over areas under their control to United Nations for 5 years for creating an atmosphere in which elections could be held and a representative leadership coming forward with the mandate to enter into any dialogue with India and Pakistan about the political future of the State. A few days later he surprised everyone by stating that in any talks with Kashmiris, the Indian Government should by represented by an all party


delegation. The other two conditions were that the talks should be tripartite involving the representatives of Kashmiri people and the Governments of India and Pakistan. He insisted that these talks should be held in the presence of UN representative or an international guarantor.

The JKLF in June 1993 threatened him with dire consequence if he did not present himself personally to explain an interview he gave to a New Delhi based TV network for its newsmagzine "Eyewitness". The JKLF termed it "against the ongoing movement in Kashmir". Once again, in January 1995 he participated at New Delhi in a "Meet the Press Programme", and called for tripartite talks to evolve a lasting and peaceful solution of Kashmir problem. He advocated quiet diplomacy for initiating a dialogue on Kashmir. Once the dialogue started a ceasefire could follow, he declared. Many militant organisations criticised him for his utterances which were out of step with the rest, according to them. But Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen called for his blood. Ikhawan's Chief Hilal Ahmed Beg on January 24,1995 directed his cadres to "kill Prof. Ghani for his anti-freedom" Press Conference in New Delhi. Some common friends negotiated a settlement between them, after an appeal had been made by APHC on February 14,1995. He also sought permission of the Indian Government to send a Hurriyat delegation to Pakistan to initiate a dialogue with leaders on the other side of the border, to find an accaptable solution.

He was one of the six Hurriyat leaders on April 18, 1996 which attempted a march from Lai Chowk in Civil Lines, Srinagar, to the Corps Headquarters in Badamibagh Cantonment. They were carrying cloth banners asking the Indian Army to "Quit Kashmir". The march was stopped halfway by police, and all the six leaders were .arrested and detained in a Police Station. In the evening they were released.

s He lives in a big house in Srinagar. When asked the source of money he said as a political being involved in peoples struggle he receives donation from local supporters and from abroad. This is his party's money and as its Chief he has the discretion to spend and the house is owned by his Party.

Bitta, Rafiq: A Battalion Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was killed on January 2,1993 in an encounter with Security Forces near Chatabal locality of'Srinagar.

Bukhari, Zia-uI-Haq: A senior member of Kashmir Freedom Front, operates out of Pakistan and controls and directs operations in Kashmir.

Bukhari, Syed Massad: A Group Commnder of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Rajouri District. In an encounter in Gambhir Mughlan area of Rajouri, he was killed on October 7,1998

Players and Captains .. 259

Bukhari, Syed Khalid Hussain: Belongs to POK. He was active member of "Pasban" organisation, a unit of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was.arrested in early 1994.

Bukhari, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah: Alias Maozam All—See Ali. ; Butt, Javed Ahmed: A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He is alleged

to be part of conspiracy to kill Mirwaiz, Moulvi Mohd. Farooq, on May 21,1990. While Gandroo and 2 others went in do the job, he with another colleague waited outside for quick getaway of Gandroo and his colleagues.

Bhat, Shaheen: Belong to Muzaffarabad (POK). He was a member of Jamait-ul-Musalmeen.He was specially trained in Pakistan by ISI before being infiltrated into Kashmir through higher reaches of Machil in Kupwara District. He was holed up inside the Hazratbal Shrine in October 1993. On November 16,1993 he surrendered with arms. He was pushed back into POK in'january 1994. Before that, during interrogation he had confessed that he was being paid Rs 2000/- monthly by ISI. ;

Baqar-ul-Saddan In 1993 he as made General Secretary of a lesser known outfit Hizb-ul-Momineen (a shia group).-

Beg, Syed Ahmed: District Administrator of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Arrested in Anantnag by Security Forces on April 23,1994.

Bhat, Shabir Ahmed: An active and trained member of Al Umar outfit. He was made a Area Commander in downtown Srinagar. He was hiding in a house in the vicinity and the Security Forces surrounded it on specific information. In the encounter on February 2, 1992, he was killed.

Beg, Khursheed: A hardened militant. He was close to Hilal Beg though he owed his allegiance to JK Islamic Fror.t. He was involved in the now well known bomb blast of Lajpat Nagar, Delhi of May 21,1996.

Billu Gujan A resident of Gool area of Udhampur District He formed his own group of militants and later became part of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Three Kashmiri Pandit teachers including a Principal of a Government Higher Secondary School were taken'but of Bus and shot-dead on June 14,1997. Police identified him having led 5 other activities as allegedly involved in the killings. -

Beg, Mohd. Salim: Alias Imran. Also known as Rehman. Resident, of Doda District—received training in Pakistan in use of arms and subversion. Rose quickly in Harkat-ul-Ansar and in 1996 he was made Chief of Operations in Jammu area. While returning from a visit to Pakistan the Police arrested him this side of LOC, on June 8, 1997.

Beg, Abdul Qayoom: Alias "Milu". A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was made Deputy Commander in 1993. He was arrested by BSF on February 25,1994.


Bhat, Mohd. Qasim: Code name "Qasim Bakery"—because of his family business. A local r lizb-ul-Mujahideen Commander of Achingam area of Anantnag District. On February 25,1999 a BSF group cordoned off his village and raided his house. They siezed three cash certificates of J&K Bank totaling Rs 2.82 lacs. The beneficiaries are Qasim's mother, father and 3 children. Since the family are small time bakers, the Police believe that these are part of Jihad funds received for militant activities. Qasim is believed to be close confident of HUM District Commander Shabir.

Bhat, Shafeeq Ahmed: Alias "Shakeel Ahmed". Resident of Shamswari, Srinagar. A member of Shia outfit Hizb-i-Momineen. He was made Deputy District Commander in 1997 but soon after the outfit almost became defunct. In middle of 1998 efforts were being made to revive it. However, Police arrested him on July 25,1998.

Bhat, Mehraj-ud-Din: Alias "Babar". A militant who became a Deputy District Commander of Harkat-uI-Ansar in 1997. The State Police arrested him on January 21,1998 from a hideout in Srinagar.

Bhat, Pervez Ahmed: Alias "Abdul Bashir". A militant trained in Pakistan who was an active member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 he was designated as its Chief Organiser. He was arrested by Kashmir Police from downtown Srinagar on October 28,1997.

Bhatt, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias "Khalid". Resident of Nowpora, Srinagar. Was a longtime member of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. On June 4, 1998 he was arrested by Kashmir Police in Srinagar. Police claimed that he had confessed his involvement in several criminal cases including the major car explosion in Regal Chowk, Srinagar, in October 1997 in which 4 persons including a Major and SHO Kothibag were^killed.

Bandey, Abdul Majid: A member of Huxriyat Conference. In March 1996 and again in March 1998 he went to Geneva as-part of NGO delegation to meet delegates to the UN Human Rights Commission. In April 1998 he was made Incharge of New Delhi Awareness Bureau of the Hurriyat Conference.

Bakshi, Manzoor Ahmed: A senior member of JKLR In 1998 he as entrusted by Pak-based Chief Commander Mohd. Rafiq Dar to revive in the Valley, JKLF militant wing. Two consignments of arms were also receive and dumped in some hideouts in Srinagar. Before Bakshi could embark on his work, the BSF arrested him on June 16,1998 and recovered arms and ammunition received from Pakistan.

Bhatt, Ghulam Mohammed: A senior member of Jamait-i-Islami. He has been member of its executive body (Majlis-e-Shoora) for many years. He was its Amir-i-AUa (Supreme Chief) when it was declared unlawful in 1990. He continued to be its Chief till 1996. He was then made Head of the Institute of Kashmir Studies—a Human Rights


Documentation Centre, at Srinagar. On May 9,1997 he was arrested from his residence at Hyderpora, Srinagar. On his release he once again became Jamait Chief. In November 1998 he stated that Jamait-Hslami had nothing to do with militancy and JEI never accepted this to be right policy to solve Kashmir problem. However, the JEI political leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani disagreed with this statement.

Bhat, Abdul Ahad: Alias Muzammil^ Also known as Nadvi. Originally frrom Bandipora but had been living in Srinagar for many years. He was drawn to militancy in 1989. During 8 years he was reported to have motivated over 400 youngmen and sent them to Pakistan for training in arms and subversion. He was a senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. For over two years he was Chief of its "Teaching and Training" wing. He was later promoted as Deputy Chief Commander for Norm Kashmir. He made many trips across the LOC. In 1997 summer he went to Saudi Arabia for collection of funds. A day after his return, the Police arrested him on September 24,1997.

Baig, Younis: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen which he joined in 1990. He was involved in many incidents. In 1997 he was a District Commander but soon developed differences with the leadership of the outfit. Pushed to the wall he decided to give up the gun. He surrendered to SOG of State Police on September 27,1997. After detailed interrogation, he appealed to militants to give up the gun and help "rebuild Kashmir from ashes."

Bhai, Mohammed: Alias "Saifullah". Belongs to a village in Ganderbal area. In 1997 he was made Commander of this area by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He played a major role in regrouping militants in Ganderbal-Sumbal-Bandipora belt. Alongwith Shaheen Afaque, he was involved in large number of attacks on Security Forces and political activists. While he was hiding in a house in Wakoora village its was encircled by troops. On December 15,1997, in the encounter he got killed.

Baba, Ghulam Nabi: Also known as "Parvez Baba". Belongs to Khanabal in Anantnag. A trained electrical engineer was posted as Junior Engineer, PDD at Batote on Srinagar-Jammu Highway in 1996-97 Che was absent from duty for nearly 18 months). He came into militancy in 1992. He later joined Harkat-ul-Ansar. He was reported to be handling its financial operations. He also looked after media and propaganda work in Kashmir Valley. He was made a member of its Command Council and in early 1997 was made its Deputy Chief. Police had claimed that he was the mastermind behind the explosion outside the General Bus Stand at Jarhmu on March 29, 1997. It was alleged he had arranged the ambassador car and the explosive material used in the blast, killing a dozen persons. On November 30,1997 he was arrested by BSF from his sister's house in Kulgam. Harkat-ul-Ansar in a statement disowned him


saying that Baba was not its member. In his interrogation by Police, he gave details which confirmed that he was very much a senior member of HUA. He gave details of execution of 4 foreign hostages by Harkat militants in December 1995.

Bhat, Rafiq Ahmed: Alias "Moulvi Rouf". A resident of Khanyar, Srinagar. He was an employee of Government Health Department. He was killed in an encounter with Police in a village near Shopian on October 22,1997. Police claimed that he was Acting Chief of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. It was also claimed that he had assumed Chairmanship of Shriura-e-Jehad, (a platform of 8 prominent militant groups) in July 1997 after Shoura Chairman Assadullah Afaque was killed by Police. However, it was alleged that Rafiq had been killed in custody.

Bhat, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias "Siddique Saleh". A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1995 he was appointed Commander incharge of Srinagar's Civil Lines. In Channapora, a suburb of Srinagar, Bhat was killed in an encounter with BSF on April 9,1996.

Beig, Ishtiaq Ahmed: A well known militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen group. He operated mostly in Budgam District. The Police apprehended him from Chaddora on June 1,1998.

Bhat, Mohd. Hanif: A resident of Raj Bagh, Srinagar. An employee of J&K Bank Ltd who was working as a Cashier. He was arrested on June 2,1998 from his residence. It was alleged that for quite some time he had been Deputy Financial Chief of Hurkat-ul-Ansar outfit in Kashmir Valley.

Baria, Abu: An Afghan mercenary who was operating in Kashmir under Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was killed on November 27,1993 when Amy was flushing out militants from some areas of Sopore. In injured condition he was taken to Hospital. When his blood was tested he was found to be having AIDs.

Bhai, Akbar. Real name Mohd. Akbar Quereshi. See Quereshi. Baba, Mohammed Hussain: Alias "Chotta Saifullah". He was HUM

District Commander for Kulgam area of Anantnag District. In an encounter with Security Forces in Mehmoodpora village on January 11, 1999 he was killed. He was wanted by police in many cases of attacks on Security Forces in past 2 years.

Bhat, AH Mohd.: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and a very close associate of the Acting Chief, Ghazi Rafi-ud-Din who had designated him as Chief of Administration and Logistics. He had received special training in Pakistan. Along with Ghazi he had taken refuge in a house in downtown Srinagar. The house was surrounded by Police on August 9, 1998 and in the ensuing encounter he and Ghazi with third associate Touseef alias Javeed, were killed.


Bhat, Mohd. Imtiaz: He was from Noorbagh Bhagbanpora area of Srjnagar. A member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen who in 1997 was made a Group Commander. Alongwith two others he was deputed to Delhi in November 1997 to arrange for some "safe houses". In Third week of November 1997 Delhi Police arrested him. In Delhi he was known as Setha alias Ashfaq Saleem.

Bhat, Abdul Ahad: Resident of Bhagpempora. He joined Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen in 1995. In November 1997 he accompanied two colleagues to Delhi where in second week of November 1997 he was arrested by Delhi Police. In Delhi he had assumed new name of Yusuf Bhat. He and his two colleague were allegedly involved in some killings in Badgam District in Kashmr.

Bhat Fayaz Ahmed: Alias Fayaz Sofi alias Bilal Bhat. A member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen who gained experience since he took part in a number of actions. In November 1997 he was sent to Delhi to arrange for some hideouts. He was arrested by Delhi Police, later in the month.

Chapri, Mohd. Yusuf: A senior sympathiser of the secessionist movement. When Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Council was set up on August 1,1992, he was named Head of the Environmental Cell.

Chaudhury, Javed: A Military Advisor of JKLF. While escaping from a Security Forces dragnet, crossing river Jehlum in Srinagar with Acting President, Sheikh Abdul Hamid, he was shot dead on November 19, 1992. His body was recovered from river two days later.

Cobra, Black: See Khan, Shamshart. Chopan, Reyaz Ahmed: Belongs to Kupwara District. He was

recruited in July 1997 by Jamait-ul-Mujahideen and sent across LOC for arms training. On return he operated in Kupwara District in company of Nazir Ahmed Lone also of this outfit. On July 10,1998 both of then were surrounded by armymen in a village near Kupwara town, and were forced to surrender. During interrogation he disclosed that Lone and he were forcibly sent to Pakistan for training which lasted 3 months. While Chopan was trained at a Camp near Lahore, Lone was sent to a Camp near Peshawar. When sent back to Kashmir they were told to attack army patrols and camps and eliminate Kashmiri Pandits, SPOs and Ikhwanis (counter-insurgents).

Chowhan, Mohd. Yusuf: Alias Mohd. Shaffi alias Moulvi alias Younis. A senior member of Harkat-ul-Ansar, having joined it when it was formed. He quickly rose to be Amir of the Majlis-i-Aamla (Chairman of the Executive Committee). Then be became HUA nominee on the Shoura-e-Jehad. Subsequently, he was made outfit's Amir-e-Aala (Chief). Simultaneously he was also the Imam of Khalifapora Masjid in Srinas;«r. I \Q was close associate of 1 lamid Turki who was HUA Commander ?nd


was reported to have been leader of the Al Faran group which abducted the six foreign tourists from Pahalgam area in July 1995. Chowhan was arrested in Srinagar on November 7, 1998. During interrogation he confessed to his involvement in a number of militant actions.

Chacha, Oman Real name Ghulam Rasul Lone. See Lone.

Dar, Abdul Gani: Alias: "Ghazi Sofi". After his armed training across the LOC, when he returned to Kashmir he became a founder member of "Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen" in 1991, La ter became its Chief. He was arrested by Security Forces in Srinagar on September 3,1992.

Dar, Abdul Hamid: A member of Muslim Janbaz Force. He survived many encounters with Security Forces. Soon was promoted as Divisional Commander. He was arrested by Security Forces on July 8,1993.

Dar, Abdul Majid: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Because of his contacts across the LOC and of his experience, he was promoted as Advisor General of the organisation, in 1992.

Dar, Dawood Ahmed: A member of Muslim Janbaz Force. He was made incharge of the western part of Srinagar City. He was arrested by Security Forces on July 8,1993 along with 5 others.

Dar, Abdul Majid: Part of Muslim Janbaz Force, later Al Jehad. In early 1993 he was made group's Chief Motivator and Recruiter. On July 8, 1993 he was arrested by Security Forces alongwith 4 Divisional Commanders.

Dar, Abdul Majid: Like many Kashmir youth he went over to Pakistan in 1990 for receiving training in arms. On return he worked with Master Ahsan Dar. Later when the Muslim Mujahideen was

• organised he became an important member there. Soon was made the ', Chief Commander in early 1994. In an encounter he was killed on October ' ' 4,1994.

Dar, Master Ahsan: An old guard of militancy. He belongs to Pattan area in Barmalla District. He was a teacher. He was arrested in 1988. For treatment of some ailment he was lodged in SMHS Hospital from where he escaped. He went across the LOC with 10 others and returned same year. In 1990 he established Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was made its Supreme Commander. Because of differences with his colleague and being sidelined, he left the organisation, on November 11,1991. On May 10,1992 he founded a new outfit under label of "Mujahideen-i-Islam" but soon left that also. With a few associates he set up another group which came to be known as "Muslim Mujahdeen". He was proclaimed its Chief on May 30,1992. In April 1993 he said that militancy had received a major set back after it became a "peoples movement". According to him first set back was in early 1990 when a large number of youth were recruited as militants indiscriminately. Lot of undesirable elements


managed to get into militant ranks. "The Line of Control was open and whoever managed to reach Kupwara found it easy to cross over to POK" he said. "Public support for the militants was good and more and more people got involved, or rather meddled with militancy, things went awry" he. farther said. He opined that it was lack of effective leadership and militants lacked discipline which diluted the movement. He was of the view that the movement could be properly guided and directed if at least 100 talented dedicated Commanders to assume leadership at various levels, were available. According to him the spurt in militancy had succeeded in bringing the Kashmir issue out of cold storage. It is also become a big drain on India's economy.

In Srinagar another colleague and he were arrested on December 10,1993 from a Government flat in Jawahar Nagar, Srinagar allotted to a former NC MLA, Mushtaq Ahmed Lone, who became MOS Home in June 1998. By 1995 Dar had become known as Baba-e-Askariat (Father of Militancy). In February 1995 (from Jammu Central Jail), he extended full support to "new peace initiative" of having a dialogue with New Delhi, made by 4 prominent militant leaders under Babbar Badr. In a statement on February 10,1996, he said, "We had started this movement on militant lines and given the leadership to experienced politicians (Hurriyat Conference) while militants supported them from outside". He criticised APHC leaders who "unfortunately used this for their own interests." He appealed to all militants to lend support to dialogue proposed by these four leaders.

Dar, Mohd. Ashraf: One of the earliest militants. Later became an important member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Since 1983 he had claimed to have crossed LOC, 22 times. In an encounter with Security Forces he was killed on October 1,1991

Dar, Aijaz Ahmed: Soon after the Islamic Students League was formed in 1986, he became its member. Late joined JKLF. He is reported to have made two trips across the LOC, for arms training and again for securing arms. He and 3 others went to DIG Ali. Mohammed Watali's residence in Srinagar on September, 18,1988 to kill him. In the firing of the security guards, Aijaz was killed.

Dar, AH Mohd.: When United Jihad Council Alliance was set up in 1991 by Azam Inqalabi, Dar was appointed its Chairman for POK, to coordinate activities of all organisations there, wanting to participate in ongoing movement in Kashmir.

Dar, Nazir Ahmed: Alias "Jajja"—Chief operator of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Sopore area in summer of 1997. In an encounter with armymen in village Pehtsir near Sopora on September 15, 1997 he got killed alongwith his Division a Commander.


Dar, Abdul Aziz: Alias "Gen. Musa". See Musa. Dar, AH Mohammed: Alias "Sabir Khan". A militant who rose

rapidly after he joined in mid-1990, the newly formed "Kashmir Freedom Front", in Srinagar. Later, he was made its Group Chief Patron.

Dar, Javed Ahmed: Alias "Chengez Khan". A member of Al Jehad outfit. He was made its Military Advisor in 1992. He was arrested by Security Forces on November 11,1992.

Dar, Farooq Ahmed: Better known as "Bitta Karate" because of his liking of Karate. He is an important member of JKLF. He was arrested in 1991 and detained under TADA. In 1990 the Administration filed FIR 44/90 in Police Station Maharajganj (Srinagar). Police challaned him allegedly for killing of some persons including government officials, for some bomb blast and rapes. He is alleged to have hurled a bomb on a jeep in Srinagar's Budshah Chowk on October 18,1989. He is alleged to have be involved in killing of

Ashok Kumar on February 23,1990 P.N. Handoo (Asstt. Dir. Information) on March 1,1990 Avtar Krishen Raina on March 20,1990 Pameet Sawhney on March 27,1990

He was also challaned for allegedly hurling a bomb on Passport office on January 1,1990 Kashmiri Pandits were his special targets. In a TV interview telecast on March 27,1990 he reportedly claimed that he had killed 22 Kashmiri Pandits.

Dar, Master Tara: Originally a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He developed differences with the leadership. After leaving this group he launched "Armed Muslim Mujahideen" and became its Chief in 1992.

Diwani, Abdul Hamid: He joined "Al Fateh" in Kashmir in 1970. He was arrested in 1971 and spent two years in jail. With 3 others hijacked IA plane to Lahore. He resurfaced in POK in 1990 where he floated an outfit "Kashmir Freedom Movement".

Din, Master Hakim: Originally of JKLF. Joined the breakaway group which in early 1991 formed J&K Peoples Liberation Army. In a few months he rose to become its Deputy Chief Commander.

Daud, Mohammed: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was appointed Chief Commander for Jammu Province on February 18, 1991, when the Hizb decided to extend operation to Jammu and Doda area.

Dar, Bashir Ahmed: Alias "Fauji". A senior member of the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. In early 1992 he became its Military Advisor. In an encounter with Security Forces near Bandipora.on September 26,1992 he was killed.

Dar, Mohd. Yasin: A member of Al Umar Mijahideen. In 1994 he was appointed Commander for Pulwama District. On February \?>, 1994


in an encounter with Security Forces in Pampor, he was killed. His outfit disputing it, alleged that he was killed by police in custody.

Dar, Mohd. Aslam: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujaideen Later was promoted as District Commander for Pulwama District. He was killed on February 17,1995 by Security Forces in an encounter at Kani-Dajan village near Charar-i-Shareif.

Dar, Nazir Ahmed: Alias Master Bilal. Also known as "Shabir"; ."Engineer" and "Umair". Belonged to Kangan area. He was an active militants since 1990. He went across LOC twice. On return, was promoted. He was involved in killing of Army/BSF personnel, grenade attacks etc. He was alleged to be responsible for killing of 25 surrendered militants. Thereafter he was made Divisional Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for North Kashmir. In an encounter with SOG he was killed on July 7,1997.

Dar, Mohd. Hanif: A senior member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. Police shot him dead in Srinagar on September 7,1997 when he tried to escape after being apprehended. It was claimed that he was involved in four killings in past2years, including of aTVjournalistShaffi on March 16, 1997..

Dar Mohd. Rafiq: A senior member of JKLF. He was named Chief Commander on December 15,1992 when Javed Mir quit this position to become President of Kashmir Valley unit. Through ups and down and splits he continued to be Chief Commander of JKLF (Yasin) even in 1997. In 1998 he had gone over to Pakistan and operated from there. He sent arms to the Valley and direction in May 1998 to revive JKLF militant wing.

Dar, Ghulam Rasul: An important activist. He went to POK in 1990 where he received intensive training for 21 days at Jabri Army Camp (near Murree). He was handpicked by ISI for special work in Kashmir Valley, where he was asked to set up a new outfit "Akbar Tigers". Before he could appoint all functionaries, he was arrested on November 7,1990.

Dar, Mohd. Ayub: Alias "Ashfaq". A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was close to its founder, Mohd. Abdullah Bangroo. The police has alleged that he with Bangroo and Shigan fired pointblock at Moulvi Farooq in his residence in Srinagar on May 21,1990.

Dilawan Only code name. He was a member of JKLF. After the split in September 1995 he sided "with Amanullah faction locally led by Shabir Ahmed Sidiqi. He was soon made Srinagar District Commander. When member of Shabir faction forced their entry into Hazratbal Shrine on March 24,1996 in an encounter with STF of JKP, he was killed

Dar, Mohd. Ashraf: Hailing from Sandipora area he was drawn into militancy in 1992. He joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen after training in Pakistan. In next 4 years he changed his party label 3 times and finally


came to Al Fateh Force. In 1997 he was made a District Commander for BaramuUa District. Police claimed that he got killed in an encounter on January 29, 1998. However, Al Fateh alleged that he was killed after being taken in custody a week earlier.

Dhobi, Abdur Rashid: A resident of Handwara. He had received, his training in Pakistan and was sent back as member of newly formed Tehrik-i-Jehad outfit. In 1997 he took charge of its operation in Kupwara District as its Commander. He got killed on October 28, 1997 in an encounter with Security Forces in Dudipora village of Kupwara District.

Dar, Ghulam Rasul: An active member of JKLF. In 1994 he was named as Party spokesman. On his return from London, he was arrested in Delhi on October 6,1996.

Dar, Bashir Ahmed: Alias "Adil Jehangir:. A Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. His area of operation in 1997 was Budgam District. Kashmir Police arrested him on November 24,1997. He told Police mat he had been trained in Afghanistan and was allied with the Khalid-i-Saani group of HUM.

Dhobi, Mohd. Shafi: Alias "Yousaf Khan"—Early in 1990 alongwith 40 other boys he crossed over to POK. After preliminary training he was sent to a camp on Afghan border. After 7 months he came back to Kashmir as member of JKLF but later went over to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He took part in many militancy related incidents. In 1992 he was sent to Nepal to arrange in Kathmandu hideouts for Kashmiri militants. An ISI officer stationed in Pakistan Embassy coordinated their activities, distributed funds and arranged forged passports. He made many trips from Kathmandu to India including Kashmir. On his latest visit to Delhi in October 1997 he was apprehended by Delhi Police on October 27, alongwith 2 colleague from a city guest house.

Dar, Shahid Ahmed: Alias "Mudassar". For nearly 5 years from 1991 was a feared member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Pattan area in BaramuUa District. He was an expert in handling of explosives and

.wireless sets. He was a Battalion Commander but he was a major communication link to pass messages up and down. He got killed in an encounter with Armymen in a village near Pattan on March 16,1996

Dar, Abdul Ahad: A resident of Palapora near Handwara, who received his training in Pakistan in 1997. He was made a battalion commander of Tehrik-e-Jehad and with accomplices he came to Kashmir in July 1998. The group tried to sneak in from Gurmuth-Nar Gali, Nawgam in BaramuUa District. He and 9 others were killed by Armymen.

Dar, Nazir Ahmed: Alias "Captain of Hajan". An active member of counter-insurgency outfit—Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. Alongwith 4 others he was killed on June 21,1998 when the BP Gypsy they were traveling in


near Sumbal in Baramulla District, was blown up by a landmine. He was bodyguard of Chief, Manzoor Ahmed Parray who was also killed.

Dar, Ali Mohammed: Alias Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi. Also known as Rafi-ud-Din Ghazi. See Ghazi, Rafi-ud-Din.

Dar, Mohd. Sadiq: A senior militant of Al-Jehad outfit. A resident of Srinagar. In early 1998 he was promoted as its Financial Chief and also its Administrator. The Police arrested him from a hideout on November 9,1998.

Dar, Bashir Ahmed: Alias "Khalid". After becoming a militant in 1990 he went to Pakistan for training. On return he became member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and rose to be its Divisional Administrator. He was arrested on October 15,1998. He later disclosed that he had gone to Delhi in 1994 from where he got a Passport in his favor without any verification on June 2,1994. He managed a Pakistani visa and via Attari on December 12, 1994 he crossed over to Pakistan. After staying there for nearly 4 years he returned to Srinagar on September24,1998.

Dhobi, Mohd. Shafi: Alias Shaffa alias Yusuf. Belongs to Dalgate Srinagar. He had joined Telrik-ul-Mujahideen in 1995 and two years later he was made a local Commander. In October 1997 he was sent to Delhi to help set up a cell there. Delhi Police arrested him from his hideout in third week of November 1997.

Dar, Ali Mohd: Alias "Ali DC". Also known as "Shabir Khan". A Senior Assistant in State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) he drew his salary from SRTC right from 1988 when he joined the militant ranks. He first became member of JKLF and functioned as a "Deputy Chief". He later shifted to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and ultimately joined the Lashkar-e-Toiba where he was "Publicity-cum-Financial Chief". On March 1,1999 he was arrested by Police in downtown Srinagar. A loaded pistol was recovered from his possesion.

Fahadullah: A Pakistani national who was trained in guerrilla warfare in Afghanistan. He came to Kashmir in 1993 alongwith 25 foreigners. Joined Al Burq outfit and moved to Doda District to escalate militancy there. In 1994 he was arrested in Doda.

Fahad, Mehmood Alhaj: A Lebanese national who had fought against Israel. He had come to India via Pakistan and Nepal in 1992. A specialist in anti-aircraft guns. In Kashmir he became part of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and trained nearly 500 cadres n handling of arms. He was arrested by BSF in Pahalgam area when he was dressed as a poor laborer.

Faizal: A Lebanese by birth. He came from Pakistan in 1992 to join JKLF. Since he was a PLO veteran he was put on training of new recruits. He was arrested within a few months but claimed to have trained over 300 Kashmiri youth.


Faridi, Adil: Son of a wellknown family of Doda District. Became a member of the Muslim Janbaz Force and took part in a number of encounters. He was a member of MJF Supreme Council. When Force's Chief Commander Babbar Badr decided to give up the gun in February 1996, and opted for dialogue with Delhi, Faridi with 14 of his colleague from Jammu region declared full support to Badr, on February 27,1996.

Farooq, Moulvi Oman Mirwaiz of Kashmir and President of Awami Action Committee. He was born in 1974. After the assasination of his father, MoulviMohd. Farooq in May 1990, he was proclaimed as Mirwaiz of Kashmir, even though he had not completed his academic or theological training. Later he was formally installed as Mirwaiz and made President of AAC.

Realising the need of bringing together various secessionist groups together, he convened a number of meetings. The first big one was held on December 27,1992 and the second one on March 8,1993 when it was decided to form an umbrella organisation. It took 6 months before it could be formally set-up. On September 9,1993 the All Parties Hurriyat Conference came into being with 34 poliical and religions bodies becoming its members. Moulvi Omar Farooq was made its first Chairman. In the next few months he was much sought after because of the crisis of Hazratbal Shrine in which were holed up militants who agreed to surrender arms and leave the Shrine after 32 days. In 1994 he was invited to Casablanca meeting of OIC. Heading a two member Hurriyat Conference delegation he left Srinagar on December 13,1994. He met there, leaders from various Muslim countries besides having a meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister, Ms Benazir Bhutto. He also visited London and Saudi Arabia before returning to India. In October 1995 he again led a delegation to US where he attended as an observer the Ministerial meeting of 52 member countries of OIC. Since the UN General Assembly session was being held in New York he met delegates of various countries. When Pakistani President Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari had come to New Delhi for a SAARC summit in May 1995, he met him in the Pakistan High Commission on May 5,1995. In April 1996 Moulvi Omar Farooq was again appointed as Chairman of the APHC. In September 1996 he led a two member Hurriyat delegation to New York to participate as Observer in the OIC Foreign Ministers Meeting . Later he conferred with "likeminded" persons and issued a Washington Declaration renouncing the option of independence for Kashmir. He also submitted a Memorandum to UN which reiterated that Kashmir could accede either to India or Pakistan. On return to Kashmir he found that many among the secessionists were not in agreement with his stand. In September 1997 he was due to leave for New York to lobby for right of self-determination for Kashmiris, during the UN General Assembly


meeting. Those opposiiig him made the Hurriyat Executive Committee to call off the visit. Inspite of all this, like the past 4 years he continued to meet and. interact with media persons and diplomats who visited Kashmir. He was one of the few secessionist leaders who has accepted government security. In the Hurriyat Executive Committee meeting held in April 1998, as Chairman, Syed Ah' Shah Geelani succeeded him, when Omar's term expired. Omar Farooq felt that he could secure firm political footing only by strengthening his Awami Action Committee. He demonstrated his following on May 21,1998 on 8th death anniversary of his father, Moulvi Mohd. Farooq. Omar announced that his organisation hereafter would be known as Awami Majlis-i-Amal at the meeting held in Iddgah. He urged Kashmiris to strengthen AMA and extend support to APHC.

After Pakistan had completed its nuclear tests in May 1998, Moulvi Omar Farooq said, "Bombs will not solve the Kashmir issue. Let there he a dialogue". He further said, "Kashmir issue is much more volatile than Bosnia and Middle-East. It is imperative for the international community to intervene and pull India and Pakistan out of nuclear arms race." According to him, Pakistan tests were "not a matter of delight because these had added to the tension in the region."

Later, about the P-5 meeting of Permanent Members of UN, at Geneva on June 4, 1998, Omar stressed the urgency of resolving Kashmir problem. He opined, "The Big 5 should do it. The Security Council must also send a fact finding mission to Kashmir to ascertain the state of human rights in Kashmir." Omar Farooq once again went to USA in September 1998. There he met the Pakistan Prime Minister, Mian Mohd. Nawaz Sharief besides meeting representatives of Organisation of Islamic Countries COIC) at New York. He also met foreign delegates to UN General Assembly and many American political leaders and intellectuals.

He delivered a lecture on Kashmir on November 2, 1998 in Rice University in Housran, Texas State. He told his audience that Kashmir had achieved its independence on August 15, 1947 when British paramountcy lapsed and has never renounced or forfeited that sovereign status. He claimed that a "bogus Instrument of Accession to India was purportedly signed by Hindu Maharaja on October 27, 1947." The Mirwaiz alleged that extrajudicial killings, rape, torture, plunder, abduction for ransom, shelling of civilian homes and arbitrary detentions without trial are commonplace human rights violations in Kashmir committed overwhelmingly by Indian troops or collaborators." He said Kashmiris will persist in their struggle for SL'lf-determination and will accept any hardships and any demand for martyrs necessary to achieve that inalienable right.


In February 1999 with his mother, he planed to go to Saudi Arabia for performance of Haj. They were denied permission to leave. On February 27,1999 he threatened to move the Supreme Court for denial of permission to perform Haj. The Government back tracked and 4 days later both son and mother left for Saudi Arabia. His interview about his not being allowed to go to Saudi Arabia for Haj was projected on Pakistan TV carrying his voice. The matter was raised at Jammu in the ongoing session of the J&K Legislative Council. The Government was accused of favouritism and discrimination for allowing Moulvi Omar Farooq to put through an international telephone call to Pakistan while denying this facility to common citizens in Jammu & Kashmir.

Farooqi, Mufti Mehraj-ud-Din: Born in 1944. A student leader. A practicing lawyer who later joined judicial service. In 1964 for sometime he was Additional Advocate General. During Sheikh Abdullah's incarceration he had joined Plebiscite Front and was in jail for more than 30 months.

In March 1990 he went over to Pakistan where at Rawalpindi he met Col. Assad, a senior officer of ISI for coordinating the training and arms supply to JKLF in Kashmir. Later in 1991 he went thrice to Nepal alongwith Ghulam Mohd. Sheikh alias "Khalid". In Kathmandu he met in Pakistan Embassy the Second Secretary, Kalimullah. There he also met a team of ISI headed by Brig. Noman, which had come all the way from Pakistan to meet the two Kashmiri leaders. Mufti and Sheikh were asked to hire a shop for cover and also arrange a safe house for residence. They were allegedly given Rs 6.5 lacs for this purpose. Earlier in Srinagar, they had been provided Rs 4.5 lacs for Nepal visits. In Kathmandu Pakistani diplomat Kalimullah promised them Rs 2.2 million, later. However, on their return to India, at Delhi they were allegedly handed over Rs 14 lacs to be passed on to some militant outfits in Kashmir. At Delhi he was arrested on February 12, 1992. Three Bank Drafts of Rs 45000/- each were recovered from him alongwith Rs 2000/- in Pak currency, and a diary giving details of payments made.

In February 1993 the CBI presented a Challan under TADA, in the Sessions Court at Delhi. He was alleged to have conspired in the murder of Prof. Mushir-uI-Haq, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, and H. L. Khera, General Manager of HMT Watch Factory, at Srinagar, in April 1990. The chargesheet alleged that ISI had given from time to time large sums of money for funding various militant groups. It further alleged that as Trustee (Finance) of the Jehlum Valley Medical College, Srinagar, he had embezzled funds to the tune of Rs 60 lacs and given the money to various terrorist organisn tions. A Special Court dealing with TADA cases in Delhi on August 11, 1996 sentenced him and 3 others G. M. Sheikh, Mohd. Yasin Bhat and Mushtnq Ahmed Zargar, to 5 years R. I. for terrorist


and disruptive activities and criminal conspiracy. This is first ever case of Kashmir militancy, investigated by CBI in which a Court had convicted Kashmiri militants under TADA.

Faqtoo, Mohd. Qasim: Also known as "Aashiq Hussain." A senior member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In 1992 he was made JUM Intelligence Chief. On return from a visit to Delhi, he was arrested at Srinagar Airport on February 5,1993. He was accompanied by his 5 month old son and his wife Asiya Andrabi—Chief of Dukhtaran-i-Millat, a women militant outfit. He was lodged in Central Jail, Jammu from where he was shifted to Srinagar on September 4, 1998. Next day his wife challenged his continued detention and filed a bail application.

Feroze, Prof.: See "Illahi". Fayaz, Abdul Hameed: Also known as Abdul Hameed Ganai. Part

of Islamic Jamait-e-Tulba. He has been the President of Islamic Threek-e-Tulba, a students wing of Jamait-i-lslami, since 1987. He also helped found the AI-Badr outfit, which later merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen! He is considered a staunch fundamentalist and also has been a senior consultant with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He Has helped raise funds and providing material resources. In Srinagar on February 2, 1998 he was arrested by State Police (SOG).

Firdous Ahmed Bab a, Syed: Better known as Babbar Badr. See "Badr".

Farooqi Mufti Baha-ud-Din: A former Chief Justice of J&K High Court. During the period of turmoil be headed J&K Peoples' Basic Rights (Protection) Committee. Foreign delegations and important foreign journalists and politicians who visited Kashmir, would invariably call on him. He was Judge or Chief Justice for 23 years who took oath of allegiance to the Indian Constitution and was entrusted with duties of protecting fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution. "Now he terms the administration in J&K as Indian occupational regime", alleged an Indian leader.

Farooq, Oman A Pakistani national, resident of Toba Tek Singh village of Faisalabed District (Punjab). He had infiltrated from Pakistan in 1997 and soon was made Hizb-ul-Mujahideen District Commander for Nowshera (Rajouri District). He worked in close concert with Rajouri District Commander Sher Khan. He was one of three foreign mercenaries who were killed in an encounter in Mangal Ridge area with Armymen on February 8, 1999. The other two killed were Gazi Khan from Afghanistan and Abu Hanees of POK.

Firdous, Abbas: A Pakistan national. An Area Commander of Harkat-ul-Jehnd, Islnmi incharge of Rajouri District. In an encounter with Security Forces on August \2, TWfi lu» got killi-d in Darlm'l iiivn.


Farooqi/Abujahd: He joined "Allah Tigers" early in 1990. In October 1991 he was promoted as Deputy Chief of this Group-

Ganai, Mohammed Yusuf: A senior member of a pro-Pakistani outfit "Operation Balakote". In 1993 he was made the Chief Commander. Under his direction it made nearly 400 attacks on the Security Forces. In 1995 he gave up the gun and later joined the Panthers Party. The Party President Prof. Bhim Singh made him General Secretary. In Mayl996 he was PP candidate for Lok Sabha election for Anantnag- Puhvama constituency-

Gauhar, Mohammed: A member of JKLF. In the reorganisation announced on April 5,1990, he was made one of the 7 Area Commanders in Srinagar District.

Gayoor, Mohammed: Chief Spokesman of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen in early 1996. On May 16,1996 he appealed to Kashmir newspapers to resume'publication. He also asked Hizb-ul-Mujahideen to resolve their differences with the local press in the interest of the peoples movement.

Ganai/ Ghttlaxft Hassan*. An important activist and Di&Yiict Commander of Hizbullah. He had been in detention since 1990. The outfit succeeded in getting him released on December 20,1991 in exchange for K.C.Gupta/ PNB Senior Manager who had been taken hostage on September 9,1991.

Ganai, Ghulam Mohammed: A member of J&K Peoples League. While its President, Shabir Ahmed Shah was in jail Ganai alligned himself with Farooq Rehmani. In early 1991 he was made Acting Chairman of Peoples League (Rehmani). He was arrested on June 18, 1991.'He was released after two years, on October 9,1993 .

Gandroo, Mohammed Iqbal: A senior member of JKLF. In October 1989 he was made a "Military Advisor". He was an important member of the group which planned the kidnapping of Dr. ftubiya Sayed. The Group held its final meeting at Srinagar in the'second week of December 1989. He al50 took part allegedly in actual abduction. He and a colleague vseie on coft&racws guaxd ovnside a Woseat Sopoie*where Rvfciya v* as kept confined while the members of the Group negotiated with Government for release of 5 JKLF activists from detention in exchange for Rubiya. After her release on December 13,1989, Gandroo was very active organising secessionist activities and directing the militant s. On April8,1990 in a house where he was engaged in a ireeting with Yasin Malik and two others, the Security Forces surrounded the house. While Malik jumped out and escaped, Gandroo and two others with him were arrested. On December 8,1989 a case had been registered by Police for abduction and -illegal possession of arms, against some including Gandroo. The case was transferred to CB1 for further investigation.


During his 9 years detention he was lodged in jails in Kashmir,, Jammu and Rajasthan. The TADA designated court at Jammu on February 3, 1999 released him on bail. As he came out of gate of the Cenral Jail at Jammu, he was arrested once again by Police, to be tried under another charge.

Ghazi, Naseeb-ud-Din: An experienced member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He went up in hierarchy rapidly and was made one of the two Deputy Supreme Commanders in 1993. In March 1994 he offered a "general amensty" to migrants and asked them to return to Kashmir Valley and "actively associate yourselves with the ongoing movement."

In a strongly worded statement on June 23, 1994 he refuted the involvement of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the assasination of Dr. Qazi Nissar Ahmed at Anantnag . He alleged that people having a vested interest were "defaming the Hizb as also the movement." He further alleged that these very persons had shot the video film of the processions that were taken out after Qazi's death. He also alleged that later they "sold this film to Government media.". While condemning the murder he accused Hizb opponents of "using the solemn occasion for shouting slogans against Pakistan and Hizb and nothing but condemnation.

In February 1997 he was killed in an encounter with Security Forces. Gul, Major. His real name was Imtiaz Ahmed. A Commander of

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen incharge of a sector in Rajouri District. In an encounter with Army troops on December 18, 1998 he was killed at Kharimarg (10,500 ft) in the upper of Pir Panjal range. He commanded over 100 militants. He ad a number of killings and rapes to his credit.

Ghazi, Rafi-ud-Din: Alias Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi. Belonged to Warpora, Pattan in Baramulla District. He was inducted into Police Force in 1979 as ASI Later, he was promoted to the post of Sub Inspector. He deserted in 1990 and went across to Pakistan. In 1992 he was formally dismissed from service here. After intensive training in subversion he was sent back to Kashmir. He also had a stint in Afghanistan. As senior member of the Hizb he had a hand in every important operation. On' June 15,1993 he was made Deputy Chief Commander. On January' 19, , 1994 he declared that Hizb had banned "Khidmat" and "Nawai-i-Subh" the official newspapers of Congress and the National Conference parties respectively^. He "directed" their publishers to cease publication forthwith. He further directed the tenants of the Nawai-i-Subh Building not to pay any rent to the National Conference. He also asked the Khidmat Printing Press not to undertake printing of any newspaper, even those which were sympathetic to the cause of the underground.

On April 26,1994 he and the second Deputy Supreme Commander, declared amnesty to migrants who had gone out of Kashmir. I le advised them to return and plunge into the peoples movement wholeheartedly.


In 1995 he went over to Pakistan three times and in 1996 he went again for "detailed discussion " with Hizb Chief, Syed Saiahudin and the ISI senior officials. He returned to Kashmir in April 1996 as the "Deputy Supreme Commander" when the erstwhile Deputy Chief, Naseeb-ud-Din Ghazi was killed along with two other important functionaries, Firdaus Kirmani and Manzoor Ahmed Khan. For nearly 15 months he ' tried to regroup Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Valley and also in the three Districts of Jammu, namely Doda, Poonch and Rajouri. He was able to lift somewhat the sagging morale of the HUM cadres.

In June 1998 through press he denied that Mujahideen were terrorists. "We are soldiers of Allah. We just fight for freedom not to weaken India. We are freedom fighters. Guerrilla warfare is our modus operandi. We hit and run not because we are less in numbersand feel that we will perish by facing the Indian Army. But it is definite principle of guerrilla warfare.. Guerrillas face dearth of weapons, so do we. We have no long term agenda as insurgents and terrorists who often play into the hand of their masters because they want to keep the other country under check". According to him " Kashmir has never been part of India. We are fighting a war against the hegemony of Indian imperialism."

Police alleged that Dar had been receiving Rs. 75 lacs every month from Pakistan, to run his militant activities in Kashmir. Because he was responsible for a " lot of trouble" the Police was on his trail. At end of the first week of August 1998 they were able to zero in on a house in downtown Srinagar which was the latest hideout of the Acting Supreme Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. On the morning of August 9, the SOG surrounded the house and asked Dar and his colleagues to surrender. Instead, they fired on the Police party in a bid to escape. In the encounter that followed, Dar was killed. Also killed with his were Ali Mohammed Bhat also of Pattan and was reported to be HUM Administrator. Dar's bodyguard Tauseef alias Javed (son of Ali Mohammed Bhat)was also killed. Besides, arms and ammunition, the Police claimed to have recovered Rs., 60,000/- in Indian currency. An important recovery was a high power Trans-receiver of Japanese make. This wireless set was reported to have a range of over 2000kms and Police claimed that Dar used to be in regular communication with Syed Saiahudin in Pakistan.-Police claimed that from interrogation of Khurshid, HUM Financial Chief who was apprehended a few days earlier, it had been established that HUM monthly expenditure in Kashmir was around Rs. 75 lacs which used to be received regularly from abroad through hawala channels.

The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and the Hurriyat Conference both claimed that Dar and his two colleagues were killed in custody after they were apprehended by SOG.


Ghouri, Saifullah: In 1997-98 winter he was made the Divisional Commander for North Kashmir by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Ghaznavi, Hasma Khan: Alias Goga. A Pakistani national who was trained in Afghanistan before being sent to Jammu region in 1997 and made Area Commander for Darhal in Rajouri District for Lashkar-i-Toiba outfit. In an encounter with BSF on May 18,1998 near Kandi BudhaL he was killed.

Ganai, Abdul Qayoom: A militant of 1990 vintage. He graduated through 3 different outfits to become the Chief of Al-Fateh Force in 1996. On April 22,1997 he was apprehended by BSF.

Ghulam Nabi, Hakim: A senior member of Jamait-i-Islami who was made Ameer-e-Aalla in 1992. In November 1993 he was arrested from his residence from a village near Shopian. He was interrogated closely about activities of the Jamait and its involvement with armed militancy. Due to his ill-health he was released from detention on February 17, 1994.

Gulzar, Gulzar Ahmed: An experienced militant who was made Chief of Al Burq outfit in 1997. The Police claimed to have eliminated him in March 1998 in Srinagar.

Geelani, Syed Saleem: A senior member of Moslem Conference. When All Parties Hurriyat Conference was formed in 1993, he as made head of its Press, Publicity and Information. In June 1998 he announced his resignation from this post, APHC as also from the Moslem Conference. Within a few days he joined Shabir Shah's J&K Peoples Democratic Party.

Geelani, Azhan He surfaced in 1991 as head of a new organisation -"Tehrik-i-Islamia". He was arrested by Security Forces on November \ 11,1991. 1 J

Gori, Shahabudin: A resident of Tanda (U.P) he worked in SoutrT Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre, Delhi. He was an associate^ of Ashfaq Hussain Lone, Dy. Chief of Intelligence of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Through Ehsan Chowdhury, a Counselor in Pak High Commission in New Delhi he arranged in Oct/Nov. 1998 visas to visit Pakistan for 12 Kashmir youngmen for arms training. He also visited Pakistan where he met in Rawalpindi, Mohd. Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahudin, Chief of HUM. Shah gave him a letter for Master Ahsan Dar then HUM Chief in Kashmir. Shah also gave US $10,000. Letter and the money was to be handed over in Delhi to Ashfaq Hussain Lone, who was to take both the letter and money to Kashmir for Ahsan Dar. With Shah he also met a t ip Islamabad (Pakistan) Dr. Ayub Thakar, Chief of the London based World; Kashmir Freedom Movement. Earlier Thakar had sent him Rs 1.6 million, Gori told his interrogators after his arrest in Delhi on March 25,1991.*

Green Zero: Code name of Abdul Rasheed. See "Rasheed".


Gillani, Syed AH Shah: A prominent leader of J&K Jamait-i-Islami and Chairman of All Parties Hurriyat Conference. He belongs to Sopore and was born in 1929 in a village near the town. He is a scholar of Urdu and Arabic. A powerful speaker in Urdu. He worked as a teacher in government schools, for 12 years. He was initiated into politicsjby Moulvi Mohd. Syed Masoodi, a close associate of Sheikh Abdullah and General Secretary of National Conference. He joined Jamait in 1950. For sometime he edited Jamait official organ Urdu Weekly " Azaan". When Jamait made tactical shift in its policies he contested elections to Legislative Assembly and won in 1972,1977 and 1987. He has many publications to his credit including "Ruhdad-i-Qaffas"—(A Prison Diary). He has been to jail a number of times. Since eruption of violence and armed militancy he has led the Jamait-i-Islami though the office of "Ameer-i-Jamait" (Chief) has been held by different persons. He was arrested on Aprjl 9,1990. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was set up as the militant wing closely allied to the Jamait. In 1992 the Hizb proclaimed him to be "Rehabar-i-Inqalab" (Guide of the Revolution).

On January 6, 1993 he declared that only solution of Kashmir problem, in sight, was that "India should accept that future of Kashmir is disputed and there should he complete merger of Kashmir with Pakistan—our fate and future are linked with Pakistan." About the importance of the gun he said, "The gun should continue to play its role effectively and decisively. To say that the role of the gun is over is to endorse an unfounded and illogical view which not only contradicts the reason and reality but speaks of insanity and self-deception". Of need to have "Nizam-i-Mustafa"—system of governance in Kashmir, he said, "The dream of reconstructing individual and social life and mode of statecraft on Islamic model was recognised by everyone as the pivot behind the struggle, sufferings and sacrifices." He said he was totally opposed to the third option of an Independent Kashmir stating that the purpose was "utterly careless and unacceptable because nothing less than right of self-determination was acceptable to the Kashmiris." Expressing his view that anti-Indian struggle had started right from the day of partition of India and not from 1989 as suggested by many, he said, "the armed struggle is in its final phase."

Wanting to put pressure further on the Administration he asked in early March 1993 all government employees to resign forthwith to protest against alleged atrocities on Kashmiri people. Surprisingly, the appeal was totally ignored.

He planned to perform Haj. On the eve of his departure for Saudi Arabia, on May 6,1993 his passport was impounded. Reacting strongly he claimed that he was a citizen ofjammu & Kashmir and Delhi had no right to refuse them permission to perform 1 laj. New Delhi however,


maintained that Gillani and some other Kashmiri leaders were planning to attend a conference of militant leaders from both sides of Line of Control, to be held in Saudi Arabia.

He is not known to be pro-West Kashmiri politician but he hailed the United States on May 20,1993 for describing Jammu & Kashmir as a disputed territory. On May 26,1993. Ms Robin Raphael, US Assistant Secretary of State, on a visit to Kashmir called on Geelani and discussed different aspects of Kashmir. During her 90 minute meeting Geelani while thanking her for Mr. John Mallot's statement, reiterated the suggestion of a tripartite meet of India, Pakistan and representations of people of Kashmir to find some solution acceptable to the three parties.

Proliferation of militant organisations seemed to worry him. After a meeting with JKLF leader Mohd. Yasin Malik in a Delhi jail on July 19, 1993 Geelani said both of them were unhappy over proliferation of miUtant groups. He called for their merger and unity in their ranks saying "in case we do not close our ranks and continue to remain divided in different groups and factions, we shall never succeed and future historians will never forgive us". On July 22, 1993 in a statement, he called for unity among different political and guerrilla groups.

On June 17,1993 he sent a letter to the World Conference on Human ' Rights meeting in Vienna detailing the alleged abuses of human rights in Kashmir. He talked of "mass killings, custodial deaths, brutal torture, rapes, and large scale destruction of property." -

Later in 1993, he helped to launch the All Parties Hurriyat Conference on September 9. This is umbrella body of 33 religion, political and militant setups. He was made a member of the 7-member Executive Committee.

In October 1993 he was arrested while leading a procession protesting against army cordoning Hazartbal Shrine in Srinagar. He was detained' under Pubic Safety Act in Tihar Jail, Delhi. From Delhi he was shifted to Jammu Jail on March 22,1994, and he was released from there on June" 30,1994.

He went to Saudi Arabia in 1995 to perform Haj. There he met many Islamic leaders of different countries. He also met senior office-bearers of the Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC), the World Islamic League, the World Assembly of Moslem Youth. To them he explained the current situation in Kashmir, told them of the alleged Indian oppression and excesses of the Security Forces. While he lauded the role of OIC, he criticised Iran "for having changed its stance on Kashmir, which was shocking for the people."

Alleging that four attempts had been made to eliminate him, he said' in October 1995 that grenades had been thrown and rockets fired to destroy his house in Hyderpora, Srinagar. l ie accused the Security Forces and the n-fornu'd militants whom he called "renegades" for these attacks.


While he was away for Haj, the Shrine at Charar-i-Sharief had been burnt down in May 1995. On his return to Kashmir, he went to visit the town, on June 30. Addressing the congregation before Friday prayer in the local mosque, he described the tragedy as "part of the major plan of post-partitioned, anti-moslem India". According to him Charar Shrine was burnt down to "force people of Kashmir to abandon their struggle for freedom but this will not deter us." He announced Jamait donation of Rs 1 lac to the Alamdar Relief Fund for rehabilitation of houseless people.

Because the Security Forces increased pressure on the militants the number of killings also increased. The militant groups asked the overground organisations to speak up. Geelani called a Press Conference on October 7; 1995 where he accused the Government of "ruthless counter-insurgency". He called for "public resistance" to these operations which he described as "instruments of terror". He also appealed to the OIC as protest, to severe their diplomatic ties with India and put an embargo on economic relations "till India does not halt its reign of terror unleashed by its forces". He suggested that OIC should send a factfinding mission to Kashmir. He disclosed that he had briefed the Hurriyat Chairman Moulvi Omar Farooq who is in United States, to brief OIC leaders and Security Council members about Kashmir situation.

Addressing a Press Conference on January 1,1996 he stated, "we have decided that if we and our children are killed, our property burnt and the extreme possible oppressive measures are taken by the Governments, we will continue to raise voice on behalf of our oppressed nation and for granting them the already accepted right to self determination."

He was among the 6 Hurriyat leaders, who on April 18, 1996 participated in a march to Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar asking Indian Army to "quit Kashmir". Along with 5 other he was arrested but released after sometime.

In next two months he with other secessionist leaders campaigned against participation in Parliamentary elections. However, it did not make march impact.

Geelani being a heart patient, off and on he is advised rest. This slowed down tempo of his activity. In early 1997 he had gone to Delhi for some meetings when he suffered a massive heart attack. He was hospitalised and a pace-maker installed to make his heart function normally.

In early February 1998 the police did not allow him to move out of his Hyderpora residence near Srinagar Airport. Hurriyat alleged that Government wanted to frustrate the APHC leaders campaigning for


boycott of Parliamentary elections in February—March. Ceelani alleged that Farooq Government had withdrawn security cover provided to him and other secessionist leaders except Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq.

After the Parliamentary elections were over his detention was ended. At the extended meeting of the Executive Committee of All Parties

Hurriyat. Conference held in Srinagar, Geelani was made APHC Chairman in place of Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq. He will hold office for two years from April 24,1998. He continues to be the Chairman of Jamait's Political Bureau.

After he endorsed the call of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen to ban Amarnath Yatra, the Corps Commander, Lt. Gen. Krishna Pal described him as "The biggest militant." The General further said that if Geelani would have been a true Moslem, he should be the first person to condemn the ban". It took Geelani 20 days to deny the charge. In a statement on July 31,1998 he strongly objected to General's remarks. He called it as "part of Indian Governments malicious approach to eliminate the Kashmiri leadership otherwise is it plausible to label a 69 year old person as the biggest militant." The statement further claimed that eight attempts had been made on his life since October 1995. This was to stop him for righting for the Kashmir cause, he added. .._

On becoming the Chairman of the APHC, Geelani's confidence got* boosted. In an interview to the Indian Express on June 16,1998 he claimed! that Kashmir" will be out of clutches of India" in twenty years from now. In any case, "it will be a free land or a part of Pakistan." He said after the nuclear explosions by India and Pakistan in May 1998 Kashmir^ had once again been put on international agenda. He said Kashmir hadv' to pay very heavy cost for this. According to him it was "70,000 people' ' killed, 60,000 people disabled and some 4000 suffering in jails and interrogation centers. On top of it, we are accused of playing at behest of foreign powers. No Community can give so many sacrifices at others coaxing. It has to be the will of the people."

Replying to the charge that he and APHC were receiving foreign money. Geelani said, "we don't get foreign money. It's all collected through donations from Kashmiris. Whatever we collect, we distribute among people who suffered in tragedies." About the big well furnished house at Hyderpora he lives in, he said, "This house is the property of my party (Jamait-i-Islami)".

In a certain section of Indian moslems, Geelani after becoming Hurriyat Chairman assumed greater importance. When he visited Delhi in December 1998, the N aib Imam of J amma Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari invited him to address Friday congregation on December I I . Geelani appealed to Indian public and moslems in particular to use their influence on the powers-that-be to stop alleged human rights excesses in Jammu


& Kashmir. The other person to address this congregation was Mufti Azam of Palestine, Akram Syed Sabri.

Ghazali, Mohd. Abdullah: He was the founder Chief of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested on September 3,1992.

Ghias-ud-Din, Moulana: A member of Al Jehad Force. In late 1992 he was made Acting Chief. He was killed in an encounter on March 13, 1993.

Gojal, Akhtar Hussain: Alias Asghar AIL A member of Muslim Janbaz Force. In 1995 he was made Divisional Commander for Jammu-Udhampur Districts. After Janbaz Force Chief Babbar Badr decided to give up gun for dialogue with Delhi, Gojal with 13 other functionaries decided to follow suit.

Gul, Hamid: Associated with Master Ahsan Dar. When Dar formed a new outfit "Mujahideen-i-Islam", Hamid joined it. Soon he became its Acting Commander.

Gujari, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias "Bitta Goor"—A very active member of AI-Burq, who confined himself to Srinagar. He first became a "District Commander" and later was made "Acting Commander". He was alleged to be involved in many abductions and killings. On April 12,1997, he was killed in an encounter with JK Police's STG, but Al Burq alleged that he was first arrested and then killed in custody.

Gujari, Nissar Ahmed: Alias "Gen. Shoaib" A member of good standing of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When HUM Patron "Gen. Mousa" was arrested on October 23,1991 Gujari was selected to take his place. Later made a District Commander. He was killed in an encounter at Chatabal, Srinagar on January 2,1993

Gul, Mast: His real name is Mohammed Haroon. His code name is "Fighter" which has also been used in his wireless communications.

A militant who caught the world headlines during the Charar-i-Shareef tragedy in May 1995. A resident of village Chinar Parpe in POK, this Afghan-looking militant had baptism of fire in Afghan civil war. This battle—hardened soldier of fortune, had come to Kashmir in 1994. He is reported to have spent most of the year in South Kashmir, training local militants. He was given the task also of organising an effective ban on Amarnath Yatra, imposed by Harkat-ul-Ansar. The pilgrimage was successfully conducted despite the threats to kill pilgrims and disrupt the Yatra.

Carrying a multipurpose machine-gun in his hand he had met presspersons on July 18,1994 near Anantnag and denied that he was a mercenary. "We have not been hired. It is our conscience which has driven us to come to rescue of Moslems here. This is Allah's territory and we do not belong to any particular nation ," he added . About the Indian soldiers he remarked, "the Indian troops are not as brave or tough


as the Russians or the traditional warriors I have faced in the tribal areas(of Pakistan)."

In Anantnag, Mast Gul had gathered 2 or 3 armed groups of armed Pakistani militants and this contingent in the area was known as "Lashkar-i-Bombaar". When he went to Charar-I-Shrief he took them along.

From Anantnag District Gul moved on to the northern slopes of Pir Panjal range. Around February 1995, he reached Charar-I-Sharief town. After consultations with ISI in Pakistan he decided to make it his base for operations. The topography around and the veneration in which all in Kashmir held the Shrine in this town, were two principal reasons. He had calculated that because of this Shrine of the venerated patron saint of Kashmir, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali, the security forces would not attack his men or storm the place. For 6 to 8 weeks he made his fortifications on various ridges and mounds around the Shrine and the rest of the township. No official explanation has been forthcoming for utter failure of intelligence setup in this instance. When media persons visited him in February and March 1995 he talked to them without fear and showed them around his fortifications. Unhesitatingly he agreed to be interviewed for a TV network. He claimed that ' thousands of Pakistanis and militants from Islamic countries were ready to come to Kashmir for Jehad but were being prevented by Pakistani authorities because she was afraid of being branded a supplier of mujahideen by the world community".. He had three highpowered wireless trans-receivers for instant communication with ISI in Pakistan and with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen headquarters in Northern Kashmir. When the security ring around the Charar township was the tightest he was reported to have in all 280 men fully armed and equipped. Out of these about 40 were reportedly from the other side of the LOC. During this period he and his men were holed up in the town he had got two specialists from among his men to make IEDs locally. These were fixed at all vital places to be activised from a remote control in case the Security Forces stormed the place Sporadic firing was ordered by him to provoke the Security Forces, who however had strict instructions not to retaliate.

On May 8, fire in a part of the town destroyed many structures. Gul then changed his strategy because he was getting desperate. His colleague who was later apprehended, Abu Jindal disclosed that Gul had decided then to divide his group into two sub-groups. While one would engage the Security Forces, the other would effect its escape through the security ring thrown around the town by the Army troops Gul was to head the group that would make a dash to safety. According to Abu Jindal, Gul and his colleagues set fire to the Shrine and the mosque nearby in the early hours of May 11, 1995 and in that confusion and


panic and under cover of darkness near the ponpherry of the town, they were able to sneak out. He had kept the whole Army Brigade at bay for 68 days. Two Hizb members - Ghulam Hassan Lone and Tariq after their arrest on January 30,1998, told the Police that Mast Gul had escaped through Hapatnar wooded gorge after detonating 17 landmines fitted round the Shrine. With him escaped 17 foreign militants. Afte'r his meeting with Srinagar Press he took refuge in Lolab Valley and Kupwara District from where he crossed over to POK.

He left Charar in injured condition. He was on the move most of the time but through his powerful wireless set, he was in regular communication with ISI in Pakistan. On May 26, 1995 a few selected Srinagar based media persons were taken to his hideout outside Srinagar, to meet him. There he disclosed that he had only 37 militants with him in Charar-I-Sharief when the Indian Army " laid siege" on March 5,1995. He said, when army started firing mortar shells on May 10, "we decided to escape from there, with Abu Jindal of Harkat-uI-Ansar leading one group and I leading the other." He further said, "We were not challanged by the Security Forces though they were present at the place from where we escaped". When asked why he had rejected the offer of safe passage made by the authorities, he replied, "I had come here to fight—not to enjoy life" and added "whole of India is my country and I will fight for its liberation."

At this press meet were present Riyaz Rasul, Hizb Divisional Commander, who announced on behalf of Hizb Supremo, Syed Salahudin, a cash award of Ks. 1 lac to Mast Gul. On Pakistan Independence Day, August 14,1995, the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen gave him a gold medal and a bravery award of "Hilal-i-Jurat."

After he had crossed back to POK, the Pakistan TV showed him being feted and lionised as a national hero in Pakistan. On August 1, 1995 he arrived at Muzaffarabad where he received a hero's welcome from thousands of people. He was shown accompanied by Qazi Hussain Ahmed, chief of Pakistan Jamait-i-Ullema-e-Islam. In the meeting held to praise the services of 'Major Mast Gul', Qazi Hussain called him the "living symbol of Jihad in Kashmir". The Qazi's presence and his praise had its own significance. Since 1994, Qazi had assumed leadership of Islamic Jehad of Pakistan, The Khartoum-based Armed Islamic Movement (AIM) had nominated the Qazi to be incharge of the terrorist headquarters and Regional Centre at Karachi which is responsible for activities like training, equipping and operational support in Pakistan, Kashmir, Afghanistan and Albania.

A month or so later, it was reported that ISI had made Gul a Coordinator of foreign mercenaries operating in Kashmir. He is reported also to be responsible for special guerrilla training of selected Kashmiri


militants. Reports from Pakistan expressed fear that Mast Gul may indulge in activities not palatable to the Establishment. In December 1995 he was in Sind Province of Pakistan but within days of his arrival n Karachi, the Provincial Government had to extern him from Sind. He was put on a plane for Lahore, after he had been arrested on December 28,1995. It was explained that he had been making inflamatory speeches criticising the anti-Islamic policies of Pakistan Government. He had also accused Benazir Bhutto Government of indifference to Islamic values and on the other hand was encouraging western culture and even secularism. The BBC had quoted Mast Gul on November 16, 1995 as saying, "Jehad is not only an obligation for the Jamait-i-Islami. It is the duty of every Muslim. In Tajikistan we are fighting against the remanants of communism and its agents. In Chechanya we are fighting against Russia. And in Kashmir we are fighting India oppression." The BBC introduced Mast Gul as a Sunni Wahabi fundamentalist.

There was a flutter in Kashmir on eve of the Parliamentary elections in May 1996, when a look-alike of him was spotted in the Valley. Many considered the "stranger" to be his younger brother Munir. Pak national Sajjad Haider, a front-ranking militant of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen, who was. t arrested in Delhi in March 1996, revealed that while Pakistan was ' "happy" with Gul's exploits in Kashmir, other militant groups were upset" with burning of the Shrine of the Sufi saint at Charar-I-Sharief in May.j 1995 and Gul was called back to Pakistan because of that. *

From the time he returned to Pakistan, he has been reported by the Pakistani press to be addressing meetings all over Pakistan organised • by the Jamait-i-Islami to generate public interest in Kashmir which according to their estimate was declining somewhat. He also was considered close to Jamait-e-UIIema-i-Islam. In May 1996 addressing a meeting at Ahmedpur (Punjab), organised by them he disclosed that so far he had trained thirty thousand to take part in Jehad in Kashmir. He said Benazir Government was not cooperating fully otherwise he would be able to "liberate Kashmir within a week".

Pakistani Press reported in early April 1997 that Mast Gul had been arrested near Nowshera (NWFP) when he fired and injured some persons while participating in a march staged to protest against food shortage in some parts of NWFP.

Here in Jammu & Kashmir, reports both from Kashmir Valley and Jammu region from time to time speak of Mast Gul having been mentioned in wireless communications. The authorities believe that to create confusion among the Indian Security Forces, the ISI assigns code name o Mast Gul to any important and dreaded militant commander. In August 1998 in Surankote area of Poonch District, a local commander of

286 .Kashmir Underground

a group of Lashkar-i-Toiba, Imtiaz was given this code name by ISI, according to Army intelligence.

In the meantime, Kashmir Police had moved against the original Mast Gul. Mr. P. S. Gill, the IGP Kashmir Range, told press on December 10, 1998 that State Police had issued a warrant of arrest against Gul wanted in connection with desecration of Shiekh Nur-ud-Din Shrine at Charar-i-Sharief. He further said that "Interpol had been requested to look for him/'

Ghulam Mohammed: Better known as Papa Kishtwari. Originally belongs to Kishtwar now resident of Pampore in Pulwama District. He became a member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He later followed Kukka Parray to form Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. Following differences with Parray, he went out and founded a new outfit which he called Tehrik-e-Wattan. Earlier, he had decided to field his wife Mehbooba as an

independent candidate in Parliamentary elections in May 1996. She lost the contest.

Due to differences he developed with his colleagues, on September 23,1997, he was removed from the Chairmanship. He has almost given up politics and has retired to his hometown, Pampore.

Habibullah: A senior member of Harkat-ul-Ansar. He was appointed '' Commander-in-Chief on February 28,1994 is place of erstwhile Chief, Sajjad Afghani who was arrested on February 21,1994 by Army.

Haider, Nissan Part of Hizbullah outfit. On its reorganisation on November 25,1995, he wasappointed Divisions] Commander for North Kashmir.

Haider, Parvez: An activist of Moslem Janbaz Force. When MJF Chief Babbar Badr was arrested in April 1991, Parvez was made Acting Chief.

Hamid, Syed Abdul: Belonging to Soibug in Budgam District. A member of Jamait-Hslami. He was reportedly also Budgam District Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. On July 19,1998, he was arrested.

Hameed, S: Real name Abdul Hamid Wani. A resident of Srinagar City, He began his career as a political activist in 1965 with Youngman's League. Later he became its Chairman. In 1974 when J&K Peoples League was formed by Farooq Rehmani arid others, he joined it. A year later he was made one of its Vice-Chairman. He was an outspoken critic of Sheikh-Indira Accord of 1975. He lay low for many years till he drew close to two important League members—Fazl Haq Quereshi and Mussadiq Adil. He developed difference with League leadership and after failing in reconciliation he headed one of the factions. He was associated with League's armed wing, Al Jehad and later became its Chief Commander.

When Hurriyat Conference was formed in 1994, he was made a member of the Executive Committee. In 1997 he was also made Chairman


of Shoora-e-]ehad, an umbrella organisation of 7 pro-Pakistan militant groups.

Following Parliamentary elections in Kashmir in May 1996, Dr. Farooq Abdullah and his brother-in-law, former Chief Minister G. M. Shah plunged into political activity. Hamid warned them on June 22, of serious consequences. He asked then to desist from "rubbing salt" into wounds of Kashmiri people by indulging in political activities in Kashmir Valley. He urged both of then "to stop dreaming about getting power and instead to accept their mistakes in public."

He was opposed to bilateral Indo-Pak talks at Secretary level. In February 1997he sent a letter to Pak Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief asking him not to strike any deal with India at the cost of sentiments of Kashmiri people. He demanded tripartite talks with representatives of Kashmiri people also taking part. Thanking Pakistan for its support the letter said, "suppressed and depressed people of Jammu & Kashmir had high hopes and expectations from Pakistan" and he hoped that full support and cooperation would be given by his Government as done by previsions ^ governments. He reminded the Pakistan Premier about "sacrifices given1.. by the people of Jammu & Kashmir for the cause of Pakistan which is a'/ historical fact" * ^

Hamid had eluded arrest for over 8 years of militancy. Police was hot on his heels. In March 1998 one of his close associates with large amount of fake currency was arrested on his return from Kathmandu in Nepal. Through his interrogation the Police claims fo have learnt of Hamid's allegedly being in important channel for receiving large funds from outside for sustaining militancy in Jammu & Kashmir. Police was able to locate him in a house in a Srinagar suburb on April X7, 1998. When Police tried to arrest him, in darkness in the crossfire he was killed. The Peoples League and Hurriyat Conference both alleged that he was killed in custody. He was buried in the Martyrs' Graveyard at Iddgah, Srinagar. At his Rasme Chahrum-fourth day-at Iddgah on April 21, thousands of people gathered there who were addressed by many separatist leaders who lauded Hamid's services to the movement for 'Azadi'. Another leader Azam Inqalabi was shouted down.

According to Kashmir Times Editor Ved Bhasin, the Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah had justified Hamid's death in custody, to a delegation of Indian Human right activists Kuldip Nayar and Rajinder Sachar. Mr. Bhasin made this assertion at Srinagar on May 19,1998 that Dr. Abdullah had told them, "Killing all these people is justified. Had it been up to me, 1 would have murdered all such people". The report was not contradicted.


In June 1998 Hamid's mother Khatija Begum filed a petetion before the J&K Human Rights Commission, alleging that SOG of J&K Police had killed Hamid while in their custody.

Hamid, Sheikh Abdul: Founder member of Islamic Students League (1986)—Soon became a member of JKLF and rose rapidly becoming its Acting President in July 1992. He went underground when JKLF was banned in April 1990. On November 19/1992, alongwith a few colleagues he tried to escape from an area cordoned off in Ali Kadal locality of downtown Srinagar. They got into a boat with intention of crossing Jehlum river and escape. The Security Forces spotted the boat and fired shots. He was seriously wounded and died soon after.

He was born in 1967 in Srinagar. He had to give up college education before graduation because of economic condition of the family. In 1986 he helped to establish Islamic Students' League. Next year he actively campaigned for Moslem United Front (MUF) candidates in Legislative Assembly elections in March 1987. Soon after alongwith some close associates he went across the LOC and received arms training. There he was instructed in laying a base in Kashmir for armed struggle. On return to Kashmir in 1988 he and his other three colleagues Yasin Malik, Javed Mir and Ashfaq Majid Wani were appointed JKLF Area Commanders with areas demarcated for operations. All of them were declared proclaimed offenders after they had resorted to bomb blasts and shoot outs. In crossfiring on October 31,1989 Hamid was injured. He was taken to Hospital from where he was arrested. In exchange for release of Dr. Rubiya Sayed from captivity in December 1989, Hamid and four others were got released. He remained active in directing the movement for next 8 months or so. On August 6,1990, Hamid, Yasin Malik and two others were arrested when they were busy holding meeting inside a house. In July 1992 he was released on bail.

After his death there were disturbances and hartal. He became a legendry figure and even was proclaimed "Abu Jehad" of Kashmir.

Hassan-al-Bana: His real name is Ghulam Hassan—'Burra Sahib' A senior member of Hizbullah. He was arrested on June 18,1991 with his Chief, Mushtaq-ul-Islam. On Qctober 3, ' 1992 he was made Acting Chief.

Haq, Moulvi Ahsan-ul-: He was part of Islamic Students League. He worked unobtrusively till 1993, when on February 9,1993, he was named the Chairman of the ISL.

Haq, Reyazul: He is member of the banned J&K Peoples League. In 1995 he was named as Central Spokesman of the League. In February 1996, he warned Prof. Bhim Singh, President Panthers Party, not to act against the secessionist movement.

Haq, Shams-ul-: Real name is Ghulam Mohammed Mir. He was a member of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. He rose to become Amir (Chief) of the


Hizb in middle of 1991. He later made way for Salahudin and assumed charge of Tablegh & Tarbiat (Teaching and Training). In his M.A. examination he had several distinctions. On December 16,1993 he was killed after 3 hours encounter in Beerwah with Security Forces. A' condolence meeting was held in Jammu Central Jail with Imran Rahi presiding.

Haq, Moulvi Abdul: Originally a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1990 he joined Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. He was made its Chief on August 7,1993. On September 7,1993, he warned those elements who were ready for dialogue with Delhi saying "We are not offering great sacrifices for petty concessions nor are we afraid of being subjected to any kind of suffering for achieving our goal."

He was arrested from Saida Kadal, Srinagar on September 30,1993 by BSF. He was released after four months.

Hazari, Mohd. Yusuf: Better known as "Muzzamil". A Divisional Commander of "Al Jehad" and later of Moslem Janbaz Force. In an encounter with BSF in old quarters of Srinagar on July 3,1995, he was killed. However, the MJF alleged that he was shot dead after his ^

\ interrogation. > , ~*'' Hussain, Kaka: Real name Mehmood Hissain. A Jammu militant -^ J

who joined JKLF in mid 1990 and soon was made Divisional Commander V V for Jammu region.'While he was busy in a meetig in a house in Burzalaf locality of Srinagar, he was arrested on August 6,1990 alongwith Abdul Hamid Sheikh and Mohd. Yasin Malik.

In Jammu on November 28, 1992 he was produced in the TADA Court. There he made a request that he may be allowed to meet his wife in a nearby locality. While being taken there he escaped from Police custody.

Hijazi, Burhan-ud-Din: Real name Ali Mohd. Dar. Also known as Ghazi Rafi-ud-Din. See Ghazi, Rafi-ud-din.

Hussain, Muj ahid: Alias Mohammed Sultan. A member of Muslim Janbaz Force. He was a zonal Commander in a part of Doda District. He and 13 others of Doda region decided to support MJF Chief Babbar Badr's initiative to start dialogue with Delhi. These 14 activist announced this at Batote on February 27,1996.

Hussain, Mussadiq*. An active member of Jamait-uL-Mujahideen. He was named outfit's General Secretary in June 1994.

Hussain, Mohammed: A member of J&K Students Liberation Front. Involved allegedly in kidnapping of H. L. Khera, General Manager, 11MT factory from Srinagar on April 6,1990, and later his killing on April 10, 1990. CBI had challaned him and I4othi*rs in TADAC'mir! on August I, 1991.

i


Hussain, Shakeel: A committed member oi Hizb-ul-Mujahideen from Jammu. In early 1993, he was named HUM Jammu unit's Deputy Chief. With 2 other colleagues he was arrested in Jammu on May 7,1993. He disclosed to police that his organisation had been directed to eliminate Governor Rao, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Congress leader Ghulam Rasul Kar and BJP leader Prof. Chaman Lai Gupta.

Hussain,. Akhtar: Alias 'Asghar Ali.' A senior member of Muslim Janbaz Force. In 1995 he was made Divisional Commander for Jammu and Udhampur Districts. He was a close associate of Babar Baddar, the MJF Chief. When Baddar and three other militant leaders in February 1996 offered to have dialogue with Delhi, Hussain with 13 other important member of militant leaders supported the dialogue move on February 27,1996.

Hussairti, Syed: Comes from Pakistan. Is well known activistof Hizb-uI-Mujahideen who had his training in Afghanistan before being sent to Kashmir in 1993. He operated mostly in Baramulla District before being arrested in early 1994.

Hubi, Dr. Ghulam Mohd.: A resident of Charar-i-Shareef. He is a senior office bearer of J&K People Conference headed by Abdul Gani Lone. After the Shrine and the town were burnt down in May 1995, he was appointed a Special Observer in Charar town by APHC. He alleged Security Forces had destroyed the town and demanded an impartial probe. He continued to be an important member of APHC for next 4 years.

Hurra, Abdul Hammid: An important member of Kashmir Liberation Council. In 1990 he was given intensive training in arms and subversion in POK for over two months. On return to Kashmir in 1991 he was made Chief of Baramulla and Kupwara Districts. He was arrested on January 13,1992. According to him Pak Army specialists were training selected cadres of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Al-Umar Mujahideen for antiaircraft gun and anti-missile techniques.

Hussain, Arif: A senior activist of Harkat-ul-Ansar. Also known as "Abdullah" he was its Financial Chief in early 1997. The police claimed that SOG had killed him on March 17,1997 in an encounter. The HUA contested it and alleged that he arrested on 15th then tortured to extract information and killed in custody on March 17.

Hyder, Hilal: Real name Liaqat Ali Khan. While still in college in 1990 he crossed the LOC into Pakistan. There and later in Afghanistan he received advanced training. After 3 years there, on his return to Kashmir he was arrested. Late in 1995 he was released. On February 26, 1996 he formed his own group J&K Ikhwan. Though he had consultation with Kukka Parray, he told press that his organisation will have no association with either Ikhan-ul-Musalmeen or Ikhwan-ul-Musahnoon.


He also announced a ceasefire with Security Forces. Talking to Press he severely criticised I lurriyat Conference for its, "record of failures." He asserted that Al Faran was part of Harkat-ul-Ansar outfit. He also appealed to Al Faran to release the foreign hostages. He helped to set up a political group " Awami Conference". Later he sponsored a couple of candidates in Parliamentary elections in May 1996. Before the Assembly elections in September 1996, he directed his District Commander to "use your gun for the safety of the people of Kashmir irrespective of political affiliations." In June 1997 he decided to have 500 members of his Ikhwan to lay down arms. He was persuaded to postpone this for 2 months till the Government announced its plans of rehabilitation of reformed militants.

Hyder, Sajjad: Alias 'Abid Bhai'. A Pakistani national, resident of Faisalabad in Punjab. He was motivated by Jamait-i-Islami to join militant ranks. He joined Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. For training in arms and subversion he was sent to Khost in Afghanistan. He spent 6 months in 3 different camps- He was sent to Kashmir in August 1993. After surveying militant scene in Kashmir he went back to Pakistan to report, in April 1994. There and in POK he met different political and militant leaders i besides ISI functionaries. In Muzaffarabad (POK) he organised a group \ of trained youth belonging to 3 outfits of Al Burq, Harkat-ul-Ansar and \ Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. With them, sent in small groups, he crossed over to Kashmir in May 1995. Here, he also acted as a coordinator of various outfits. Later he went to Delhi where he was arrested in March 1996.

Hagroo, Tariq Ahmed: Alias 'Soiba Hagroo'. He was operations Commander of Al Jehad outfit in 1998. In early 1998 he had reportedly \ gone to Delhi and then to Nepal to meet associates and collect funds for reactivising Al Jehad cadres in Srinagar. He was arrested in June 1998.

Hazar, Nazir Ahmed: A senior member of Al-Umar Mujahideen. In 1996 he was its Finance & Publicity Incharge. For about 2 years he was inactive. In October 1998, ISI had asked its members to revive the outfit and become active. He was arrested from his residence on October 26, 1998.

Hussain, Abid: Real name Mohd. Qasim. He was made the District Commander in Doda for Harkat-ul-Ansar. He belonged to Gorika village. The Police had received report that Abid had come home to meet his family members. The house was surrounded on September 17,1998 and in the ensuing encounter Abid was killed^The Police' claimed that Abid' was the brain behind I he massacre of 25 Hindus at Chapnari in Doda' District on June 19, 1998.

Hyder, Bilal. When Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen split up, many factions affeared on the surface- One was called Jammu & Kashmir Ikhwan and

292 Kashmir Underground '••

its formation was announced on February 26, 1996. Bilal Hyder was named its Chief.

Hussain, Manzoor. Rajouri District. Chief of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The Security Forces BSF arrested him from his Village Gonda in Rajouri Distrit on June 11,1995. He is a close associate of Aslam Malik, Chief of Al Jehad.

Hagroo, Gulam Qadir A senior member of Peoples League. In 1992 he was made Deputy Chairman. Soon was arrested. On March 2, 1996 he was released in Jammu after 3 years detention.

Hamid, Abdul: Alias Tabasum alias John. An employee of Posts & , Telegraph Dept, who in 1993 was aho Incharge of finances in the Jamait-ul-Mujahideen setup. On March 13, 1993 lie was traveling in an autorikshaw in Srinagar, in company of Jamair Chief Nasir-ul-Islam. Both were arrested but when trying to escape, were killed.

Hassan-uI-Alvi: 'Colonel'. In 1991 he leaded the Kashmir Liberation Tigers. He was critical of those who wanted Pakistan to vacate POK. "Being a Moslem I feel Pakistan is our elder brother. We want to join Pakistan according to Islamic rules. Then even Afghanistan will become part of the one emerging Islamic nation. Others who may join this Block are Iran, Libya, Egypt, Palestine.

He said different militant outfits have no meaning become "every body is controlled by Pakistan."

Even in 1991 he had no illusions that freedom for Kashmiris was around the corner. "We will not get freedom tomorrow we will have to watt for years but we. vjili be free."

Hussain, Zakir: A member of JKLF. When the Party split in September 1995, he sided with Amanullah faction in Kashmir led by Shabir Sidiqui. On March 24,1996, when its members (armed) tried to force their'entry into Hazratabal Shrine, the police guards on duty opened fire in which he was killed alongwith 7 others including their Chief Commander, Basharat Raza.

Hussain, Ashiq: Alias Majid Jelhangir, An experienced militant who was promoted as Company Commander for Srinagar area in 1995. He .was killed in an encounter with State Police on August 20,1996. The Police alleged that Hussain was responsible for killing of 6 Indian tourists in Dal Lake area in July.

Hassan, Mehmud-ul: A senior militant belonging to Al-Jehad. Later he was made its representative on Shoora-I-Jehad. In 1995 he was made Deputy Chief of Al-Jehad. In early August 1997 he was killed in an encounter with Kashmir Police in Kulgam area. However. Al-Jehad alleged that he was arrested and later killed in custody.

Hassan, Ghulam: Alias Abu Hassan. Also known as Hassan of Chadura. He rose steadily in hierarchy of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He went


a step higher after every visit to Pakistan. When HUM Supreme Commander, Ghazi Nasib-ud-Diri was killed, the ISI appointed him to fill up the gap. In aii encounter in the Pir Panjal mountainous area, he was one of 7 militants who were killed by Security Forces.

Hussain, Maqbool: Belonging to Darhal area of Rajouri District, he was trained in arms and subversion at Kotli in POK by ISI Colonel Sayed. In November 1997 he was inducted into new outfit Tehrik-i-Jenad and made Military Advisor of its Rajouri District setup. Alongwith Hanif Malik he infiltrated across LOC into Rajouri. Before he could do much damage he was arrested by State Police on December 15,1997.

Hansa, Abu: An Afghan national. A battle hardened member of Harkat -ul-Ansar, who was deputed to Doda District for operations. In an encounter with Security Forces on January 2, 1998 near Thathri, alongwith a colleague he was killed,

Hijazi, Dr. Haider: A senior JKLF leader and a member of Amanullah faction. He was made Secretary General of JKLF in late 1996 and operated out of Rawalpindi in Pakistan.

Haider, Raja Zulfikan Secretary General of JKSLF in 1997. HeN

operated out of Pakistan from Rawalpindi. Haider, Bilal: A Pakistan leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Alongwith {

2 other leaders he crossed the LOC to come to Kashmir Valley on May 2,1993. After taking part in many party meetings and a few encounters with Security Forces, he recrossed to Pakistan on June 1,1993. I

HyaA, Uovar. See QuersUi;, Umar Hyat. Hassan, Mehar Karalla: An Iraqi national from Baghdad. He was

one of 3 armed militants who crossed over LOG in Keri in Poonch sector on May 25,1998. All 3 were killed by Armymen in an encounter, soon after.

Irfan Mohammed: A Pakistani national from Tanda in Gujrat (Punjab). An experienced member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He is alleged to be the principal accused in the stadium bomb blast of January 26, 1995 at Jammu while the J&K Governor was presiding over the Republic Day Parade. The Governor escaped unhurt but two officers of State Information Department and five Home Guards were killed and nearly hundred persons were injured.

In company of two inmates he was successful in escaping from high security Special Jail at Kot Bhalwal on the night of October 16 -17,1998. Four days later they crossed over to Pakistan and were received as heroes by many militant leaders there.

He got into cross border smuggling after the first successful trip in 1993. During his successive trips he made many contacts at Samba, Akhnoor, Jammu and Kishtwar. Besides making friends with some middle-rung Police officers he got to know many activists of [am.iir -I-


Islami. Some how he was persuaded by IS1 to take on special "jobs" for them. He crossed over to Jammu through Ranbirsinghpora border, on the night of December 28, 1994. With one Pakistani militant Ghulam Nabi Gamma and the other one Wasim Malik of Kishtwar, he visited M.A.M. Stadium next night. They dug the ground near the saluting base and buried the time bombs sucessfully. Next night he went back to Pakistan through the same route.

After a 15 months stay in Pakistan, he crossed over through his old route, to Jammu in March 1996. Before he could blast the bomb he had planted close to the railway line, he got arrested . He was lodged in Jammu Central Jail till July 1998 when he was shifted to Kot Bhalwal Jail little outside Jammu where he met Mohd. Salim (POK) and Mohd. Khalid (Sialkot) both of whom escaped with him from the jail.

Ishar , Javed: A senior militant belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit. He was a close associate of Mast Gul. He reportedly was with Gul at Charar-i-Shrief in May 1995 and helped him to escape from the security ring around the Shrine there after it was burnt down.

Javed was arrested by Kashmir Police from his residence at Khirarn, Sirhama on May 30,1998.

Illahi, Prof. Feroze: A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. After the death of its Chief, Sajjad Ahmed Kenoo on January 7,1996, Feroze was made Acting Supreme Commander of the outfit on January 10,1996.

Illahi, Gowhar.Ahighly trained militant. After merger of Al Jehad and Jehad Force the new outfit Al Fateh Force came into being in October 1994, Gowhar was made its Chief. In July 1995 he and two other colleagues joined the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon—a counter insurgency outfit.

Illahi, Maqbool: An important member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When HUM was reorganised on October 31, 1992 he was made a Divisional Commander to utilise his guerrilla experience he had gained in Afghanistan. In an encounter with Security Forces in Budgam, he was killed on ApriU, 1993.

Uyas, Ghazi Mohd.: Alias "Abdul Majid Wani". Belonged to handcore of Allah Tigers outfit. Even after its merger with JKLF in April 1990, he strengthened his contacts with important militants in Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He'soon (1991) became Chief Commander of Allah Tiger faction which did not join the JKLF. On October 8,1991 he announced the merger of his faction of Allah Tigers with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Islam, Nasar-ul-.' His real name was f lilal Ahmed Mir. A Pak trained militant who joined Jamait-ul-Mujahideen in 1991. In 1992 he was made its Chief. In an encounter with Security Forces on March 13, 1993, in Noorbagh locality ot Srinagar, he was killed.

\


Islam, Mushtaq-ul-: His real name is Mushtaq Ahmed Bhat. He is also known as "Goga". One of the pioneer of militancy and the secessionist movement. At the time of cricket match in Srinagar in October 1983 between India and West Indies, he was one of those who distributed large number of big size posters of Pak cricketer Imran Khan, which appeared in various stands of the Stadium. He was also one of those who attempted to dig the pitch and stall the match. In 1986 he had reportedly set the tricolor afire and is being tried on this charge .

Later, he made many trips to Pakistan for advance training and consolidating his contacts. When Hizbullah appeared on the scene in 1990, he was made its Chief During his tenure, a conspiracy to assassinate the octogenarian politician Maulana Mohd. Sayed Masoodi was hatched. Masoodi a highly respected scholar was shot dead in his Ganderbal house on December 13,1990. "Goga" was arrested on June 18, 1991 with 9 colleagues and detained under TADA. When-he was produced before designated court at Jammu on March 6,1996'-he said "ongoing struggle in Kashmir was part of the Muslim struggle against suppression across the globe." According to him, waxing and waning of the struggle was routine in militancy and should not be "taken neither as battie fatigue nor a sign of decay." He said he had no faith in Whites or West because of their "arrogance and duplicity." He was against t

elections. He did not disapprove of abductions in militancy. According to him, "this is an instrument to fight the enemy."

He was proclaimed as "Ameer" of the organisation on November 25.1995 when its reorganisation was announced. He was also described as "Imam-I-Inqalab-I-Islam."

The TADA designated court at Srinagar was conducting his trial which concluded on February 19,1997. The Court was told that there was no eye witness of the Masoodi assassination and no postmortem had been conducted. On June 7, 1997, Mushtaq was produced before the court of Mr. Gulam Rasul Bodha, Additional Judge who acquitted him from all charges of murder etc., for want of evidence. The Court set him free. The Police however arrested him again on other cases against him.

In June 1998 the TADA Court finally acquitted him in Masoodi assassination case. Of 13 witnesses produced in the court none held him responsible for the killing. He was still held to face charges hi other two cases.

Islam, Manzoor-ul-: Better known as 'Mnnzoor Darzi'. A well known member of JKLF. The Kashmir Police arrested him in 1993 and he was detained under TADA. Me is alleged to be responsible for explosion in the houses of lormer Ministers, .M.N. Koul and Abdul


Salam Deva. It was also alleged that he was involved in conspiracy to kill Prem Nath Bhat in Anantnag on December 27,1989.

Islam, Saif-ul-: A senior member cf Hizbullah. When the group was reorganised on November 25,1995, he was made "Central Leader"— Deputy Commander. He was arrested by the Army on June 1991 from Batamaloo area, alongwith his Chief, Mushtaq-ul- Islam.

Islam, ShahitJ-ul-: His real name is AftabHilal Shah (32). A resident of Srinagar and an Advocate by profession. A senior militant who joined Hizbullah when it was formed 1990. After its Chief, Mushtaq-ul-Islam was arrested on June 19,1991 Shahid was named its new Chief. When the Group was reorganised he was made its Chairman. In his statement that day he said the reorganisation was necessary to stepup militant activities. He welcomed and lauded induction of large number of "guest militants" in his group. He said history of Kashmir "is fuil of tyranny and oppression right from 1947." He announced that their struggle will continue till they secure right of self determination for the people of Jammu & Kashmir.

Early in 1992 he said, "this movement for liberation is basically to implement the Islamic code of life after coming out of clutches of India." On July 4,1991 in an interview he had justified abduction as a means to internationalise Kashmir issue. He also approved the use of gun because "for past 40 years, India has not been affected by peaceful pleadings. About his desire to be part of Pakistan, he said, "there can be no peace ill Kashmir unless it becomes a part of Islamic Pakistan." He was bitter about the indifference of the Muslim World by and large, to the struggle of Kashmiris and said, "we don't seem to exist for them." Quoting Quran he said, "if a muslim gets injured here, pain should be felt by a muslim anywhere he may be." To this end he had despatched secretly a delegation in July 1992 to muslim countries to educate and inform them. He also announced awards for some Saudi princes and three Pakistani newspapers for "supporting morally and materially the Kashmiri cause.

For next 4 years he operated quietly. He was reported to have developed differences with his mentors and went across to Pakistan for consultations. On February 8,1997 through a fax message he announced his arrival in Nepal from Pakistan. Later that month he resurfaced in Kashmir and told his colleagues that he had toured Pakistan and many other countries to meet friends. A few days later he announced his resignation from Hizbullah and dissociation from armed militancy. Announcing his resignation he said, "I wish to cease my involvement as militant with Hizbullah or any other militant outfit from February 1997." I le was severely criticised by Hizbullah and by "Shoura-e-Jehad" a united front of frontline militant organisations. He was summoned to present


himself before the Shoura and explain his position and reasons for giving up the struggle.

The JK Police claimed to have arrested him on April 11, 1994 in Srinagar when he was driving a scooter. The Police had been after him for many years. The Police alleged that he was wanted in the number of abduction and murder cases including assassination of MauIanaMohd. Sayed Masoodi., and abduction of former Minister, Mrs. Khemlata Wakhloo and Punjab National Bank Manager K.C. Gupta. He was released by order of a court. He was arrested again in 1997. In March 1998 the Additional District and Sessions Judge, Srinagar granted him bail and he was released on March 31 from Srinagar Central Jail.

On June 18,1998 he joined Awami Action Committee after a long meeting with AAC Chairman, Moulvi Omar Farooq.

Islam, Tanveer-ul-: A senior founder member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He was very active in 1993. From 1994 he has neither been, seen nor heard..

Islahi, Abdul Rashid: Worked under code name "Khalid Saifullah". Came under Hizb-ul-Musalmeen influence quite early. He belonged to a village near Doda town and knew the mountainous area well. Late in 1993 he was made Chief of Jammu Provincial Unit. In an encounter^n Doda with Security Forces he was killed on February 16,1994

Ismail, Mohammed: A highly trained member of "Operation Balakote" outfit. In 1993 he was made a District Commander. A few months later he" was killed in an encounter with BSF.

Irfan, Tahir: Belongs to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. When it was renamed as JK Islamic Front in June 1995, he was made its publicity Chief. On July 8, 1995, he condemned abduction of 4 pressmen by Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon.

Irshad, 'General': Real name Irshad Ahmed Khan. A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. When the Group set-up was reorganised on July 8,1995, Irshad was nominated as District Commander for Baramulla. Later he was made Military Advisor. Police claimed to have killed him on June 9,1997

Iqbal, Javed: A militant who joined Ikhwan-ul-Musalmooh in 1995. When the group was reorganised on July 8,1995, he was appointed its'' Chief Organiser.

Irian, Chisti Mohammed: One of the early members of JKLF. On April 5,1990, he was named as one of 7 Area Commanders for Srinagar. He was killed on August 3,1990 in an encounter with Security Forces.

Irfan-ul-Hassan: One of the first to go across to Pakistan for training. He was arrested in Kashmir on return from Pakistan, on July 15, 1989. *" During interrogation ho disclosed that on his firsl trip across/i Pak Intelligence personnel (ISI and 1:1U) took him lo Training Camp from


Rawalpindi. In second trip he was sent to Army post at Dara Pir (POK) for arms training. From there he was taken to meet AH Razak, POK Law Minister.

Iqbal, Mohammed: Alias 'Humayon'. Belongs to Budgam. He crossed over to Pakistan in 1993 and was trained there in use of arms and subversion. He became a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. The ISI infiltrated him into Jammu area in January 1998 to cause explosion to disrupt Parliamentary elections. However, he was arrested on February 2, before he could to do any damage.

Ilyas, Maulana: An Afghan national and a veteran cf the civil war. A senior militant who quickly rose to become the Deputy Chief of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. In middle of December 1993 he was killed in an encounter with security forces in Kishtwar in Doda District.

Inqalabi, Umar A well trained Afghan mercenary. He was a member of group of 15 who were infiltrated from POK into Kupwara District in second week of August 1998. Next day the group was engaged by Army troops at Jagarpora village where they had entrenched themselves. He was one of six Afghans among 15 mercenaries who were killed.

Inqalabi, Mohd. Azam: Real name 'Mohd. Altaf Khan Andrabi'. Born in 1948. Even in school he was drawn towards politics. In 1966 he was elected President of Students Union of Islamia College, Srinagar. In 1967 in company of Mohd. Maqbool Bhat (Co-founder of JKLF) he crossed the Cease Fire Line to go to Pakistan where he stayed many months. Back in Kashmir he became part the first underground subversive group 'Al Fateh' in 1970. When this outfit broke up, one group formed itself into Peoples League. He because its prominent member. While negotiations for Sheikh Abdullah-Indira accord were on, he emerged as its very vocal opponent. In March 1975 in a press conference he vehemently opposed the Accord and called Sheikh Abdullah anti-Kashmiri. He later started Students Islamic Organisation and was made its General Secretary. The name of this organisation was then changed to Jamait-i-Tulba. JIT was later taken over by Sheikh Tajamul Islam, who declared it to be the students wing of Jamait-i-Islami. Soon after this Azam joined the Education Department. In early 1980s he was posted as teacher in Sri Pratap Higher Secondary Government School. In the evening he used to take private tuition of students from other schools. Besides teaching them school subjects he successfully indoctrinated them because quite a few of them later joined his outfit "Operation Balakote".

In 1981-82 he joined Sofi Mohd. Akbar's "Mahaz-i-Azadi". In 1988 he became its President. On Aprill6,1990 this organisation was declared unlawful. He then set up "Operation Balakote" later in 1990 and he was made its Chief. Soon after he crossed the LOC into POK and then Pakistan whore he spent many months making contacts and having meetings with


political leaders and important secessionists. He went over to Afghanistan and had fraternal meetings with leading Afghan mujahideen. On return to Kashmir, on February 19,1991 he was made Chairman of newly set up 14-Party United Jihad Council Alliance. In 1992 he again went over to Pakistan for consultations. From there he went to Britain. On February 15,1993, from London he launched "Save Kashmir Movement", of which he was made the Convenor. He proclaimed that this organisa tion would strive for "peaceful solution of Kashmir problem." On June 19,1993 he wrote a letter to the US President requesting him to use his good offices to ask India and Pakistan to settle Kashmir tangle through negotiations.

1993 was not a good year for him because most of his colleagues and trusted workers of his outfit were killed or captured in Kashmir. He returned in January 1994 to Pakistan from London. From Rawalpindi on January 17, 1994 he asked Dr. Karan Singh, former Crown Prince of Kashmir (living in New Delhi) to shed inhibitions and "join the freedom struggle of his Kashmiri brothers." In first week of 1995 he crossed the LOC back into Kashmir. Here, he bid farewell to arms, saying, "I am dedicating myself to political struggle." Before returning to Kashmir, at Islamabad he had announced his "multi-phased proposal for resolution of the Kashmir dispute." The proposal envisaged' that 3 parts of the Valley, Jammu and POK—which he considers politically active units of" the State, be merged together at the first instance, giving the people therein the right to elect representations under UN supervision. In the next phase the elected representations will negotiate on Gilgit, Baltistan, LadaWn and territory cededby Pakistan, with me Government or China/ India and Pakistan. After this alone, the future status of the state will emerge with the free will and determination of the people of all regions-

In June 1995 he asked various outfits to end inter-group clashes in interest of all Kashmiris, He was critical of APHC leaders for being inactive and ineffective. Next month he asked all organisations strugglin I for "freedom of Kashmir" to form a Supreme Command Council, to giv; the struggle, a direction and content.

After some militant leaders had offered to start a dialogue with New Delhi, in February 1996, he urged the Indian Government to set up a Kashmir Committee with full powers, to interact with Kashmir leaders] At a Srinagar press conference on February 28,1996, he said "Hurriyat Conference had failed to fullfill the aspirations of the people". He therefore, wanted the APHC 7-member Executive Committee dissolved/ He suggested, in its place to have a broadbased Advisory Council. He was of the opinion that "militancy can he run on organised basis if #,T

joint militancy command council is formed here in Kashmir and in Azad Kashmir. He said. "If Pakistan cannot help the Kashmiris militarily then the Kashmiris should be left to control the movement on their own".


According to him "the movement launched by the people of Kashmir had been hijacked and was now being run by some alien hands". He was critical of Pak Premier Benzir Bhutto for her rejection of tripartite talks. "This means Pakistan believed in give and take on Kashmir under the formula of sharing the booty," he added. He advised Pakistan to come out of the obsession of UN Resolutions on Kashmir. He pointed out that there were no resolutions on Bangladesh and yet Pakistan accepted the reality when it was confronted with. Azam said, "Let Pakistan accept the realities in Kashmir. Present approach on Kashmir is not worthwhile." He regretted that Pakistan had failed to keep the commitment with Kashmiri militants on sending "sufficient logistic support and cadres to fight the war against Indian forces here.

At a Press Conference at Srinagar on July 27,1996 he alleged that India and Pakistan had reached a secret agreement to maintain a status quo in Jammu & Kashmir against the wishes of people of the State. He was critical of the role of USA and said, "that country does not have good intentions towards the ongoing movement in Kashmir Valley now". He showed his disappointment with OIC and felt "it is subservient to UNO which in turn is subservient to USA."

He did not hide his contempt for the Hurriyat Conference. He said it was formed 4 years ago to "make it a genuine force of Kashmiri people but they had failed the people". He blamed the Hurriyat leaders of "misusing billions of rupees which were received from OIC countries and Islamic organisations as relief for families of martyrs." He wanted the big donors to disclose as to how much money had they sent and to whom.

He called upon the pro-Independence forces to dissociate thereselves from Hurriyat Conference and form "their own political forum".

He severely criticised the "unwise friends across the border for dividing the freedom movement on idealogical basis at a time when it had support of all the people." This way, he said, "power and prowess of militants was wasted".

At Jammu on February 9,1998 he told Press that he had conceived 'a blueprint for honourable and practical solution of Kashmir issue, formed after seven years of dispassionate and objective analysis'. He said he would submit the detailed plan to the Indo-Pak Joint Working Group if and when constituted. He gave broad contours of it. He asked 'Mujahideen of Kashmir' to maintain a low profile for at least 6 months to facilitate the process of peaceful settlement of Kashmir issue through a meaningful dialogue and debate. The Security Forces be withdrawn from the cities and towns of Kashmir and allow the political parties to assert for a peaceful display of their subjective patriotic sentiments.


A month later, with Vajpayee Government in office in New Delhi, Azam Inqalabi appealed to new Government to pave the way for "serious and meaningful dialogue and negotiations with the historical resistance forces of Kashmir to seek an honourable and viable solution of Kashmir issue, before all the senior political activists, despite their exemplary role in Kashmir struggle became irrelevant and redundant."

In two long articles in a local newspaper in March 98 Inqalabi pleaded passionately for ending of violence. "Why should Kashmir be made a scapegoat in the war of attrition between India and Pakistan" he asked. In a mood of reflection Inqalabi said, "We, as the lovers of Rishi and Sufi culture of Kashmir, are not oblivious of what is happening in Afghanistan, Algeria and Egypt in the name of Islam. We understand that assertion of the dissent there is more an apology than a reference of pride. However, our proud cornmitment to the Rishi culture of Kashmir should not be construed as a weakness of our resistance movement which is based on a resolve to struggle or the position of power and prestige. About sixty thousand Kashmiris have sacrificed their lives for the sacred cause of Kashmiriyat and Azadi". In his estimate "Kashmir is on fire. Roaring guns, busting bombs, bleeding wounds, screaming women and burning houses create a scenario of terror and horror coupled with uncertainty and cynicism."

Suggesting patience he said, "Let my Kashmiri compatriots try to. N understand that it is time when our brain, not brawn, should assert (i) to

provide some respite and reprieve to war-torn Kashmir, (ii) to make the leaders of India and Pakistan realize that Kashmiris cannot be taken for granted indefinitely, (iii) to launch the movement for general awareness in India to muster support for Kashmir cause."

Inqalabi alleged that recent increase in militant activities in JamxmT & Kashmir was due to violation of human rights by the Security Forces. In a statement on May 14,1998 he pleaded for end to violence and asked India and Pakistan to sit together and patiently solve this vexed problem.

In an open letter on July 25,1998, to the Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, Inqalabi, warned him that if the acceptable solution of Kashmir problem was not found quickly, Kashmir could be flooded with large number of foreign mercenaries.

The Army troops arrested Azam from his Nagin Bagh residence on outskirts of Srinagar, on August 1,1998 and recovered a pistol from his possession. It was claimed that he was handling publicity for Harkat-ul-Ansar. He was handed over to police. He was soon released on intervention of the Chief Minister, as claimed by Inqalabi.

He told Press on October 7,1998 that the "tragedy of Kashmiris was that they have always invited foreigners—Afghan, Indian and the Pakistanis". I It* suggested that all should leave Kashmir and it should


be made an independent entity for 30 years and then its geo-political future be determined.

In a long article published in March 1999 he pleaded for an "equitable, viable and practical solution of Kashmir impasse". He said that "emergence of free independent Kashmir is an idealistic objective of nationalist Kashmiris" but he conceded that "negotiating table will itself determine the nature and structure of future boundaries of free Kashmir". His vision of free Kashmir was where "all the ethnic communities—Muslims, Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists—will, in a federal system, share the privilege and responsibility of governance to make Kashmir a real welfare state free from economic exploitation, deprivation, ignorance and disease."

In another article published on March 23, 1999, Inqalabi advised India and Pakistan to "bury the hatchet for good" now that they had signed the Lahore Declaration. He believed that Lahore Declaration "gives a new direction to South Asian politics". About Pakistan's Kashmir policy he said, "Kashmiris feel already disenchanted with the subjective politics of the leaders (in Jinnah's Pakistan) whose self-aggrandizement proved instrumental in the dismemberment of Pakistan and whose mismanagement converted Afghanistan into a slaughter house through fratricidal war. We have had enough experience of your mismanagement on Kashmir front too". Inqalabi was confident that Vajpayee's statement in Parliament on March 15, 1999 that "There is no option but to live together as good neighbours" will materialies into a reality. He however, said it should "not beat the cost of our freedom".

Addressing himself to the gun-weilding militants in Jammu & Kashmir he asked them, "what is the rationale of allowing the booming of gun in the orchards of Kashmir when both India and Pakistan are now poised to enter into an agreement of co-existence and friendship?"

Jabbadi, Jaffan A member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He joined it soon after it was formed in late 1990. He soon rose to become the Dy. Chief Commander of the outfit. Alongwith 5 of his associates he was killed on April 11,1993 in an encounter with Security Forces.

Jaffar Kashmiri: An important member of JKLF in 1991. Was reported to have crossed over to POK in 1992.

Jaffar, Lateef: A member of Al-Umar Mujahideen who rose to be its Dy. Chief Commander in May 1992.

Jamal Afghani: Real name Abdul Khaliq Ganai. He belonged to a villege near Bnndipore (North Kashmir). He was a senior member of Moslem Janbaz Force. On June 23, 1993 he was named the Chief Commander of a faction of Al Jehad. He was considered to be close aide oiFarooq Kehmani, Chairman oi 13 Party Alliance "Tehnnk-i-Hurriynt". In an exchange of fire with BSF in Bnroniulla District on December 16,


1993 he was claimed killed, whereas his outfit alleged that he was tortured before being shot dead. A condolence meeting was held in Jammu Central Jail by his erstwhile colleagues.

Jamal-ud-Din Khan: Also known as "Field Marshal". He is an Afghan national. On arrival in Kashmir, he issued a statement on June 26,1992 in which he announced establishment of new outfit the "Afghan Command Force" with him as Chief. Statement further said that role of all militant organisations in Kashmir was unsatisfactory. It asked them to refrain from political activity so that they could concentrate on their "real work".

Jamal-ud-Din Afghani: Alias 'Sheikh' An Afghan national. Veteran of Afghan war. Was sent by Pak ISI in 1992 to strengthen Harkat-ul-Ansar in its operations in Kashmir Valley and Doda District. He was arrested in winter of 1993-94 from Anantnag District. During interrogation he claimed that he had raped as many as 27 Kashmiri women in Pulwama and Anantnag Districts during 1993. He said "I had come with sole propose of making money and enjoying life here. "He was sore about ISI not having lived upto the promises made to him. He was assured payment of Rs 5000/- monthly but nothing was paid to him and therefore he resorted to kidnappings, extortions, rapes till he was arrested by BSF.

Jehangir, Aadil: Real name Bashir Ahmed Dar. See 'Dar'. Jameel-ul-Rehman: A senior member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen After

Sajjad Mir, its Chief Commander was killed, Jameel was proclaimed new Chief on July 29,1993.

Javed, Khalid: An active member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who frequently crossed LOC in Poonch Sector. On December 20, 1994 he surrendered to Police in Poonch. He confessed that ISI had instructed him to blow up the wellknown Moslem Shrine of Shahdara Sharief in Rajouri District to start communal rioting.

Jindal, Abu: Real name is Mohd. Shah' Malik. A Pakistani national hailing from Faisalabad. Belonged originally to AL Fateh but went over to HUA and then collaborated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen set-up under Mast Gul. He was also known as Junaid Afghani. He spent about 2 months in Charar-i-Sharief town in southwest of Srinagar. Most of the town and the Shrine of Sheikh Nur-ud-Din Wali was burnt down between May 8 and 111995. To escape out of the Security Force cordon around, the militants divided themselves into two groups—one under Mast Gul and the other under Abu Jindal. Lots were drawn and Jindal group was to give cover to Gul group in its escape. Jindal was caught by Army troops on May 12. During interrogation he confessed that Mast Gul set fire to the holy Shrine.


Junaid, Qazi: A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When HUM Youth Wing was separated and formed into a separate outfit as Jamait-ul-Mujahideen, Junaid was named its leader on June 26,1991.

Jamal-ud-Din: A member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was closely associated with Divisional Commander Javed Kohistani. When an encounter took place in Kani-Dayan village close to Charar-i-Shreef on February 17,1995, with Security Force, he was one of the 8 HM activists who were killed.

Junaid, Master: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 he was promoted as Divisional Commander for Central Kashmir. In March 1998 he was eliminated by Police.

Jeelani, Ghulam: Alias Tasleem Raza. For training he had gone across to Pakistan. On return in 1996 he was made District Commander of Pulwama District by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Later, he was made coordinator of all terrorist activities of this area. In an encounter with Army troops in Khader Mol village on August 10,1997, Jeelani was killed.

Kalwal, Noor Mohammed: A senior member of JKLF. He had been in Jail for many months in 1989. In exchange for Dr. Rubiya Sayed release on December 14,1989, he was one of the 5 leaders whose release from detention was demanded and secured. The Security Forces arrested' him again on 8/10/91 from downtown Srinagar locality of Nowhatta.

Kashmiri, Tariq: A member of Mahaz-I-Azadi who later joined "Operation Balakote" when Mahaz was banned in April 1990. He was soon made Dy. Commander. He was arrested on March 13,1993.

Kenno, Sajjad Ahmed "Mushtaq": One of the earliest militants who had been active since 1989 when he was part of J&K Students Liberation Front. When it was converted to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen, he became an important member and its Vice President a few months later. He was reported to be involved with abduction of K. Doraiswamy of Indian Oil Company and Ms Nahida Soz daughter of National Conference Leader Prof. Saifudin Soz. He was allegedly known to have contact with Razak Memon alias Tiger Memon accused in Bombay serial blasts. On Kenoo's death JKIF statement disclosed that Kenoo had "masterminded" the Bombay blasts.

In June 1995 he was lodged in Joint Interrogation Center at Rangreth near IAF station in Srinagar and he escaped from there. He soon rechristined Ikhwan as J&K Islamic Front. JKIF claimed credit for bomb explosion in Connaught Place, New Delhi on November 21, 1995 and bomb blasts in Saddar Bazar, Delhi on January 3,1996. As soon as he returned from Delhi, J&K Police STF arrested him from a hideout on January 1,1996. According to police he tried to escape from custody and was shot dead. But JKIF claimed the he is as toutured and then killed.

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Players and Captains 305 ->

Karim, Abdul: Alias Karim. A Burmese National. A militant who operated in Kashmir as a member of Harkat-ul-Ansar. He was arrested in Delhi on July 10,1998. During interrogation he disclosed that in 1991. he joined militant movement against Burmese Government. He soon escaped to Bangladesh where he stayed for sometime. There he was motivated to participate in Jehad in Kashmir. He entered India in 1994 illegally and came to Kashmir. In Sopo're he joined7Harkat-ul-Ansar and worked under the HUA District Commander"Rashid Khan. Karim claimed that he had blown up an army vehicle in Baramulla District in which some army personnel had been killed. Karim left Kashmir in early 1995 and crossed over to Pakistan from where he returned to Bangladesh. Recently he illegally crossed back to India. He came to Delhi and was waiting there to come to Kashmir to work with Harkat-ul-Mujahideen under which name HUA is presently working.

Khan, Farooq: An Afghan national-veteran of Afghan War. Came to Kashmir in 1993 and ISI deputed him to Doda. With his colleague he was cornered by Army troops in Mahu Mangat area of Doda District in November 1993. Rather than surrender he consumed cynide capsule and died on November 18.

Khaksan A member of Hizbullah since its inception in 1990. In reorganisation that was announced on November 25,1995, he was named as Chief Commander Operations.. \

Khalid, Abdul: A militant who had his training in POK. When Al v

Fateh outfit was revived September 14,1991 he joined it and in December 1991 he became its Chief.

Khalid, Yunus: A member of Al Jehad. Later became its Supreme Commander. When his outfit merged with Jehad Force to make Al Fateh Force, he was made Dy. Supreme Commander of AFF. In an encounter with Security Forces on October 18,1994 he was injured but escaped under cover of darkness.

Kaehroo, Abdul Samad: A resident of Telbal near Harwan (Srinagar District.) Because his nephew Basharat Raza (JKLF Chief Commander in September 1995) he was well known in militant ranks. During Hazaratbal Shrine crisis in October - November 1993, he became one of important mediators between the State Government and the holed up militants. Since then he lay low because uncompromising militants considered him a "traitor". On December 18,1998 after he came out of the Haji Mosque in Gowkadal area of Srinagar, unidentified armed militants shot him dead.

Khalid, Saifullah: A well trained and experienced member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In the years from 1991 to 1995 he took part in many


actions. In early 1993 he was made Divisional Commander for Jammu region. On June 26, 1993 he warned BJP State President Prof. Chatnan Lai Gupta of serious consequences for his "anti-moslem and anti-Islamic" utterances and activities. On the elimination of Hizb Deputy Supreme Commander, Burhan-ud-Din Hijazi(Dar) Khalid was promoted to this office on August 10,1998.

Khalil-ul-Rehman: His real name is Ghulam Mohidin alias Mohd. Maqbool. A senior member of Moslem Janbaz Force. Rose rapidly in the hierarchy. He was named Chief of the Group on May 22,1993 after officiating Chief Altaf Almagir was arrested. On October 23,1993, he was killed in Pulwama District in an encounter with Security Forces.

Khan, Babbar Ali: A militant who joined Hizbullah quite early. Took part in a few attacks on Security Forces. In the reorganisation of Hizbullah he was made Divisional Commander of Central Kashmir with headquaters in Srinagar, on November 25,1995.

Khan, Badshah: A member of "Operation Balakote." In early 1993 he was made Chief Commander for Baramulla and Srinagar Districts. Later in the year, in an encounter with Security Forces, he was killed.

Khan,Bitta: See Zargar,Iqbal. Khan , Ghazi Mushtaq: Part of " Operation Balakote" outfit. In

1992 he was made Military Advisor for Kupwara District. He was killed in middle 1993 in an encounter with Security Forces.

Khan, Abdul Rashid: A trained militant who joined Ikhwan-ul-Musalmcon in 1995. He soon rose to become an important aide of Kukka Parray.

Khan, Aman C'JIah: One of the founders of J&K Liberation Front (JKLF). At present he is President of the JKLF which has more presence outside Kashmir Valley than inside. The organisation split in September 1995 and the majority of activists disowned him. Kashmir faction's President Mohd. Yasin Malik expelled Khan. In retaliation Khan expelled Malik and his supporters. Khan's faction in Kashmir was then headed by Shabir Ahmed Sidiqi. This group concentrated itself around Hazartbal Shirne but in an encounter in March 1996, the faction's top functionaries were killed.

Amanullah is a non Kashmiri-speaking politician of Jammu & Kashmir who has been outside Kashmir Valley since 1952. He is of Dard stock having been born in 1940 at Astor in Baltistan in north western part of Kashmir State. As a young boy he came to live with his relations at Haihama in Kupwara District of Kashmir. He had his schooling in the Handwara Govt. High School and later came to Srinagar to study in Sri Pratap College in 1950. In Handwara School even in 1948 there was


a band of teachers who motivated students for closer ties with Pakistan. He was elected General Secretary of propak Students Union. A few teachers were arrested and the group broke up. In 1950 Khan secured in matriculation first position among moslem students in Kashmir University. On entering S.P. College he soon got involved with anti-Indian activities and became a member of the undercover oubverssive group which was engaged in clandestine distribution of pro-pak literature. On being discovered he was warned to dissociate. Fearing arrest he crossed over to Pakistan through Jammu Sialkote sector in Jammu 1952 . He managed to secure admission in Edwards College at Peshawar. He was soon rusticated and went over to Karachi where a good number of Gilgiti students were studying. He did his graduation in 1957 and got his Law degree in 1961.

From 1957 to 1976 he was deeply involved with political struggle in Gilgit - Baltistan against Pakistan Government for basic civil rights. He was jailed a number of times. Since he considered Gilgit - Baltistan an integral part of Jammu & Kashmir, he broadbased his struggle. In 1962 from Karachi he started publication of "Voice of Kashmir''. Later when he shifted to UK in 1976, the journal was published as "Voice of Kashmir A

International" as a monthly from Birmingham (UK). - fy'• Like minded political beings were brought together by him at

Rawalpindi on May 12,1963 and a broadbased "Kashmir Independence Committee" to oppose any move to divide Kashmir State was formed. Two years later in April 1965, it became part of the Plebiscite Front formed in Pakistan and POK..

In 1966, he helped to form "Kashmir Committee for Afro-Asian Peoples Solidarity." He was made its General Secretary. In 1970 November he went to Gilgit where he was arrested and detained.

At MirpurinPOK in May 1974, the 5th Annual Convention of POK Plebiscite Front was held. To attend this Convention , Dr. Farooq Abdullah had specially flown from Britain. Khan was his host.

Khan had a feeling that it would be easy for him from United • Kingdom to compaign for Independent Kashmir; he went to UK on June 20,1976. There he was able to persuade the members of UK branch of Plebiscite Front to convert it into J&K Liberation Front which came into being inl977. Khan became its General Secretary in February. 1978.'

Earlier in Pakistan, in Aug. 1965 he had helped to set up J&K National Liberation Front. He was made Chairman of its political wing. In 1966, NLF sent two small groups to Kashmir Valley to enrol members and to "spread the message of revolution". Leader of one of the groups Mohd. Maqbool Butt was arrested after a shootout in which an Indian official was killed. Butt however escaped from Srinagar's Central Jail and crossed "' back to POK in December 1968.

•308 Kashmir Underground

In November 1969, at the annual Plebiscite Front Convention in POK , JKNLF was made the armed wing of the Plebiscite Front. In January 1971 came the hyjacking of the Indian Airline Fokker Plane "Ganga" by two Qureshi brothers - Hashim and Ashraf. Khan had nothing to do with this daring act but Hashim was to cross swords with him later.

Khan was in detention in Gilgit. He was released in February 1972. As mentioned earlier he migrated to UK in June 1976. At that time

in UK were two organisations of Mirpuris from POK (nearlyl,50,000 had migrated to UK) but neither of them was able to attract and enthuse them.On April 12,1977 at the Convention of Kashmir Plebiscite Front in UK, Khan got the name changed to J&K Liberation Front from Plebiscite Front.

In Britain he wrote and circulated literature on struggle of Kashmiri people.

- To World Conscience - The Tragic Story of Kashmir - Independent Kashmir

In 1980 he also published a pictorial calender entitled " Jammu & Kashmir State a Divided Occupied, and Suppressed Motherland". He

^ also helped to organise many anti -Indian demonstrations in different parts of the world.

To protest against execution in Delhi's Tihar Jail of Mohd. Maqbool Bhat,, all Kashmiri organisations in Britain, staged a big protest

* demonstration near India House in London, on February 26.1984. Khan ' was arrested with many others.

In 1983, secretly (without his knowledge) Kashmir Liberation. Army was set up. It abducted Ravindra Mhatre, Indian Asstt. High Commissioner at Birmingham. The captors demanded release of Maqbool Bhat from Tihar Jail, Delhi, where he was waiting for execution. They threatened to kill Mhatre if Bhat was not released immediately. Amanullah Khan, Hashim Qureshi and another leader were arrested by British Police. With no response from Indian Government for 54 hours, Mhatre was killed. Khan and Qureshi were released after 72 hours . Maqbool Bhat was hanged in Tihar Jail, Delhi on February 11,1984.

Khan visited US for first time in September 1979. He held his first press conference in UN Press Room on October 8,1979. He established first office of JKLF in US, in New York in October 1979. On October 13, 1979 he arranged a few JKLF activists who sitting in the Visitors Gallery of UN General Assembly, shouted anti- Indian slogans and demanded liberation of Kashmir.

Fifteen months he spent in British Jails of Bedford, Liston and Brixton from September 1985. He was released on December 15,1986, externed from Britain, and flown to Karachi.


Next five years or so he spent in Pakistan and POK putting the act together. He interacted with ISI and other authorties in Pakistan. He made an arrangement for youth to be motivated in Kashmir Valley, to be brought across to POK for training and being provided with arms, \ ammunation, subversive literature and money before being sent back to Kashmir with proper directions. Information has become available now that the abduction of Dr. Rubiya Sayed in December 1989 was planned in Srinagar, but the decision and directions came from across the LOG In Rawalpindi on March 3, 1990 he told Colin Smith of Observer '(London), "we held her hostage; we did not abduct her." He justified it by saying that "India has kidnapped our entire nation."

In early April 1990 he was in U.S.A Addressing journalists at UN Headquarters on April 10. 1990 he claimed that JKLF had "recently started an armed struggle against India". He owned that arms were being procured from within Pakistan though he said they are purchasing arms in open market. He also owned that training was being imparted to Kashmir youth on both sides of the LOG

When the General Manager of HMT factory, Khera and Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq were abducted in Srinagar on April 6,-1990 and demands were made for release of some detained militants, from New York on April 9. 1990 he declared that since Indian Government had not conceded demands of the abductors, the hostages had been shot dead. This was one day before they were actually shot dead. Perhaps JKLF had decided that orders for execution would be conveyed in this manner.

The Government of India was able to persuade the US Government to cancel his visa in middle of April 1990. This was for his alleged support to the anti-India terrorist activities. On April 20,1990 he addressed the press in the National Press Club at Washington and said " if I am expelled , I will go away". About the killing of Khera and Haqhe denied having ordered their execution. He however justified the killing of hostages by JKLF saying " my boys must have had a very, very sound reason for such an action as they had been specifically told not to harm innocent citizens". In Washington, on April 22,1990 he confirmed the support JKLF received from Pakistan in starting armed struggle in Kashmir. In early May 1990 he quietly left USA and went to Nethersland. From there he accused Indian Army for killing of Mirwaiz of Kashmir, Moulvi Mohammed Farooq saying that no militant from Kashmir could undertake it. Returning to Rawalpindi in end of May 1990 he shocked Pakistan by declaring that Pakistan had no locus standi in Kashmir and asserting, "Kashmir can never be a part of Pakistan", The gulf between him and Pakistan ISI had widened. Pakistan then started promoting other outfits with Hizb-uI-Mujahideen in the fore. In 1989 in POK, he


was able to bring together eleven political organisations and formed the "Kashmir Liberation Alliance". This new organisation sent out delegations to Europe and the USA to "educate and inform" public opinion about situation in Kashmir. By 1990 the Alliance ceased to function because Khan's domination was not liked by other constituents.

Events continued to move fast. On June 18, 1990 he announced establishment of a "Provisional Government of Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir". This he had done perhaps,without much consultation with his colleagues in the JKLF. Those opposed to this got together and on July 3,1990 Khan was suspended from the organisation-by the Executive Committee and also the Central Committee of the JKLF, for "his unilateral, inopportune and unauthorised" action creating confusion in the party leadership. Unmindful of the expulsion he continued his campaign forlndependent State of Jammu & Kashmir. By the end of 1991 he was able to consolidate his political following and assert himself in the JKLF again. On December 13, 1991 six political < parties accepted and signed a declaration proposed by him for "full and complete independence of entire Jammu & Kashmir." This statement came to be known as the "Lahore Declaration."

In 1991 Khan sulked most of the time, He was disappointed with ^ Pakistan Government and the political elements there in general. He was unhappy because of the treatment meted out to JKLF which had taken upon itself to launch armed struggle for liberation of Kashmir. He gave expression to his feelings in a lengthy interview he gave to Pakistan's leading Urdu daily Jang in July 1991. He charged the Pakistan Government of attempting to dump JKLF to favour new fundamentalist ^ organisations like Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He claimed that JKLF had full backing and support of General Zia -ul-Haq and' the Pakistan Government. With General Zia's death the JKLF received a big jolt. After Ms Benazir Bhutto came to power in December 1988, a number of terrorist organisations as rivals of JKLF,were raised creating much contusion. He asserted that most of these groups were fundamentalist in thinking and committed to work for merger with Pakistan while JKLF is secular and wants an independent Kashmir. He accused Hizb-ul-Mujahideen of killing many Kashmir leaders. Khan claimed that JKLF had not indulged in any terrorist activity after abduction of Dr. Rubiya Sayed. He accused the J&K Students Liberation Front of abductions and killings and said he disapproved of such criminal activities. He disclosed that JKSLF Chief Hilal Ahmed Beg had spent 3 months in Pakistan and on return rechristened it Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen thus taking it closer to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Khan said he had information that Jamait-i-Islami and others were about to announce from Saudi Arabia, formation of a Government-in-Exile for Jammu & Kashmir. To


forestall it, Khan in June 1990 hurriedly announced formation of a -"Provisional Government of Independent Jammu & Kashmir."

In January 1992 he decided to observe the death anniversary of Mohammed Maqbool Bhat on February 11,1992 and to do "something spectacular". He announced that "thousands of JKLF members will cross '. the LOC at Chinari (on the Rawalpindi-Srinagar Road) on February 11. ' He declared he did not recognise the arbitrary line dividing the two parts of Kashmir. From Muzaffarabad he led the march along the road to Srinagar. The marchers were stopped by the Pakistan armed forces. Khan was arrested. When the crowd insisted on crossing the border , fire was opened by Pak army troops killing 12 persons and injuring 150. Also arrested were 780 supporters of JKLF. Khan criticised the POK "Prime Minister" Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan, for first encouraging him to violate the LOC and later helping Pakistan authorities to frustrate the attempt. While Khan was in detention JKLF decided to make another attempt to cross the LOC, on March 30, to synchronise with the first death anniversary of party senior leader Ashfaq Majid Wani. The JKLF also threatened to launch agitation on both sides of LOC, if AmanuIIah Khan was not released before March 30. From detention he refused to call off the march. Pakistani authorities arrested a large number of political activists and frustrated their attempts to reach the LOC. *

On January 26,1993 AmanuIIah Khan asked India and Pakistan to i concede the third option of Independent State of Jammu & Kashmir. He told the media in Islamabad that Kashmir issue cannot be treated as a bilateral dispute between India and Pakistan. He proposed that entire State of Jammu & Kashmir on both sides of the LOC should be put under the UN for next 10 years. At end of this period a plebiscite should be held to ascertain the wishes of all the people of the State.

He decried the Simla Agreement on February 9, 1993 saying "no self-respecting Kashmiri can accept that nonsense called the Simla Agreement. It does not even mention the right of self determination for the Kashmiris".

In October 1993 he was invited to attend at Brussels a Conference on Kashmir organised by the Socialist Group of the European Parliament. On October 18,1993 he was arrested at Brussels on the basis of an international warrant for being involved in terrorist activities. After ten weeks detention he was flown out to Pakistan on December 29, 1993. After arriving at Karachi on December 30, he asked both India and Pakistan to vacate Jammu & Kashmir so that its administration is taken over by the United Nations. With this objective in mind he proposed that January 5, 199.S and thereafter be observed as the "Third Option Day". On December 30,1994 he called upon Pakistan to allow Kashmir

312 Knslmm Uitth'tgwuiiii

to become an independent Slate 1 f this was nc it .^cepled, Kl\an threatened to start an agitation on both sidef> of the I.(X\ to achieve it.

Khan m 1995, was very critic.il of Pakistan making claim on Kashmir because of majority of population in Jammu & Kashmir being Moslems. In an article he wrote in May 1905 in Pakistani newspaper the" News" published from Lahore, he said, "Pakistan claim on Kashmir based on religion of the majority is too weak a weapon to meet the Indian claim based on the Instrument of Accesion signed by the Maharaja." He debunked the fond belief of Pakistan about Kashmiris, when he said, "Pakistan's Kashmir policy is based on the mis-behef that an overwhelming majority of people of Jammu & Kashmir is for accession to Pakistan." Khan with this antagonised the establishment in Pakistan and POK further for harping on independence for Jammu & Kashmir State being the only solution of Kashmir problem.

In September 1995, from Pakistan, Amanullah Khan expelled Mohammed Yasin Malik., die President of the Kashmir unit of JKLF. Many of Malik supporters were also thrown out of the party. As retaliation, the Kashmir unit expelled Khan from the Party. This led to a vei tical split. Khan's supporters in Kashmir rallied under Shabir Ahmed Sidiqui, who was named leader of JKLF(Amanullah). The top brass of this faction was eliminated in Srinagar in a clash with Kashmir Police's Special Operation Group (SOG) in March 1996. With this Amanullah's influence for the time being, declined sharply in the Kashmir underground. But his stock abroad did not suffer very much. In the words of Chairman of the UK Parliamentary Group on Human Rights m UK, Lord Eric Avebury, "If the legitimate freedom struggle of Kashmiris prevails, as it must one day, Anianullah Khan will be remembered as the leader who articulated their demands, persuaded them to make the great sacrifices that gamed their freedom, and led them to victory "

Lord Eric Avebury, Chairman of Kashmir Committee of MPs planned to organise in London in 1998 a meeting of leaders from both sides of Kashmir to consider commonality of views. Since Amanullah's expulsion order from UK on Decembei 25,1986 was in force, Avebury requested Blair Government to revoke it to enable Khan to come to London to attend the meeting The British Home Secretary Mr Jack Straw on March 26,1998 rejected the plea saying that there was no ground for reviwing the expulsion order of 1986.

In March 1998 Amanullah Khan made a scathing attack on Pakistan as "insincere advocate of Kashmir". In a long letter published in Pakistan's leading Urdu daily JANG be expressed regret of Kashmiris for their choice of Pakistan as their advocate to determine the constitutional position of Kashmir. He wrote, "Tins advocate has gitted away one sixth of the property of his client (Kashmiri,s) to his friend

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Players and Captains 3U

(China) and occupied one third of it himself and vises the remaining half as a bargaining counter for trade with the defendent (India)." Further the letter said, "Pakistan advocates the right of self-determination for Kashmiris but in reality it denies this right to them by insistmg that it is confined to their choice of accession to either India or Pakistan. Pakistan uses the United Nations resolutions on Kashmir as a weapon to keep them away from self-determination and had almost no interest in the Kashmir problem and the Kashmiris have lost their support. This arrangement of ours is countered by givng the example of the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC) support. But what has the OIC done except passing empty resolutions which. India does not recognise." About the scant respect Pakistan has for facts he states that the total area of the state of Jammu & Kashmir includes areas occupied by Pakistan and China, is a little more than 84,000 square miles. 'But for some years now Pakistan Television, which is totally under the government control, has been showing 14,000 square miles of Aksai Chin as part of China and 27,000 square miles of Gilgit and Baltistan as its own. Thus the PTV has reduced the area of Jammu & Kashmir to 42,000 square miles".

In anguish, Amanullah Khan wrote, "Pakistan's Kashmir policy has angered Kashmiris but they are eschewing a violent expression of this anger because India may benefit from it. But the zealous Kashmiris would not allow the loot of their property at the hands of their advocate (Pakistan)."

A few days earlier he seemed to have come to the conclusion that "Kashmir movement Jiad faded sway," An interview that he gave to a Pakistan - based news agency, Kashmir Press International (KPI) was published in mass-circulated Urdu Daily Tang, he said," We must accept the bitter reality that the liberation movement in Kashmir has faded and that India has succeeded in convincing the world that Dr. Farooq Abdullah heads a peoples representative government" He said this amounted to Pakistan's diplomatic failure.

He said those militants who are fighting for the so called "liberation from India" in fact want "Kashmiris to get into the Pakistan cage. By making liberation conditional on accession to Pakistan they are going in for a hug with the bear".

Khan clearly said, "we don't wont friendship with Pakistan as the basis of an autonomous Kashmir: we want an autonomous Kashmir on the basis of hatred of Pakistan. Kashmiris are changing their attitude towards Pakistan because of the activities of the pro-Pak elements."

In another statement in Rawalpindi in February 1998 be criticised all those Kashmiris who invite outsiders. According to him "the biggest ' hurdle in the way of leading to freedom of Kashmir was the habit of Kashmiri leaders and part ies import ing masters from their

• - 314 Kashmir Underground

neighbourhood and that these mercenaries were the real and the most dangerous enemies of our motherland".

Amanullah Khan had never taken kindly to the Hurryat Conference. After Geelani became its Chairman, Khan became more critical. In August 1998 Khan accused the Hurriyat Conference of damaging the Kashmiri cause in order to please its masters. In a statement at Rawalpindi on August 10, 1998 Khan said APHC had no right, whatsoever, to claim to be the true representative of Kashmiri people since it denies to them their inherent right to independence. The statement said APHC Aims & Objectives had clearly stated that the organisation would struggle for right of self determination of Kashmiri people as envisaged in the UN Charter, Khan said " Kashmiris right of self determination could not be limited, conditioned or circumscribed just because the APHC Chief wanted it to be so." He also questioned the relevance of the UN resolutions on Kashmir since "these were not only contrary to basic principles of the right of self-determination of enthralled nations as they denied to Kashmiris their inherent right to opt for independence of their motherland but also fell short of basic requirements of a free and impartial plebiscite because these resolutions provided for presence of a high number of Indian armed forces in Kashmir during the plebiscite and for the Plebiscite Administrator to be a formal employee of the Government at Srinagar". Moreover, these resolutions had failed to solve Kashmir issue in the past half a century nor could they do so in future. As such, it was totally foolish to go on harping about these resolutions", be added.

As its ritual every year, Pakistan decided to observe February 5, '" 1999 as "Kashmir Solidarity Day".

At Karachi, the Governor of Sind Province had called a meeting in this connection, Amanullah Khan and some other JKLF activists were invited. Before Khan could address the gathering alongwith his supporters Khan was arrested. Party General Secretary, Dr. Haider Hijazi condemned the arrest and called the arrest as height of duplicity on part of Pakistan Government. He said that on day when Pakistan was observing Kashmir Solidarity Day it was "shameful to arrest Amanullah Khan, the pioneer of the ongoing freedom struggle and the torch-bearer of the wishes and national aspirations of Kashmiris".

When Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee travelled by.bus to Lahore on Februrary 21.1999, Khan was in Lahore directing his JKLF activists for protest demonstrations. There, he agreed to talk to Indian Express Correspondent, accompanying the Indian Prime Minister In a free wheeling interview Khan pithily said he was not afraid of blood letting, "We believe that unless we shed blood - our own and that of the enemy - we won't get freedom." Welcoming the Vajpayee - Sharif

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meeting he said two neighbours should live in peace. He said he wanted both India and Pakstan to agree to his formula of Independent Kashmir state with its pre-1947 borders. He was aggrieved that India was more hostile to him than to Islamic fundamentalist groups. About Pakistan he was equally peeved., "True, I live in Pakistan but the authorities hate me and try to black me out completely in the media". Reluctantly, he talked about his organisation's work. He claims JKLF has no dearth of arms, "Pakistan is a good manufacturer of arms. If you have the money, you can buy anything you want." He further volunteered, "money is no problem. We have members everywhere - some of them quite prosperous. Remember, Jeddah Airport was built entirely by Kashmiri labour - we have eight branches in Saudi Arabia alone. Many contributions come in". When asked to talk about strength of his organisation he shied away, "Our members live under great threat, none of them or their children will get service if I reveal too much. In the Valley we are not working openly. Still, I will say this, the majority of educated youth in Kashmir, is with us."

Khan, Diler. A militant belonging to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. When the group was reorganised on July 8, 1995 he was nominated as Commander for Kupwara District

Khan, Ghulam Mohidin: Also known as "Amjad". After training in Pakistan he was sent to join Al Barq. In 1992 he was promoted to become Dy. Chief after the incumbent Noor-ul-Hassan was killed.

On November 14,1992 in an encounter in Handwara area, he was killed.

Khan, Idris: A militant who prefers to operate in low key. When a new outfit "Mujahideen Fil Islam" surfaced in 1992, he became its Chief.

Kishtwari, Papa: Real name Ghulam Mohd. See Ghulam. Khazir Mohammed: Alias " Col. Padseer". An experienced militant

who was recruited in 1993 when Harkat-ul-Jehad was established in Kashmir. His area of operation was North Kashmir. He was killed on November 22,1993 in an encounter with BSF in Seer - Sangrama village of Baramulla District.

Khan, Javed Iqbal: Alias "Haroon Rashid". A member of Moslem Janbnz Force. Since 1995 he has been Commander of District Doda. He was one of 14 important activists of Jammu Province who decided to follow their Chief, Babbar Badr to give up gun and open dialogue with Delhi. He was present at Batote on February 27,1996 when 14 activists made this announcement.

Khan, Daud: A Pa than of Ghutli Bagh, Gnnderbnl. A militant of some standing. He had been arrested early in 1989 but was teleased in September 1989. I le motivated more than 2*MK) Kashmiri youth to cross over to POK tor training. In 1990, ['OK ISI sol up a highly Ir.mu'd group

I . 316 Kashmir Uiutergrtmrni of militants as Al Bakr outfit. He was named its Dy. Commander. In March 1991 he was arrested at Jammu by Slate Police.

Khan, Mohd. Yakub: Better known as "'Chatterjee". A member of the JKLF. In 1993 was promoted as Area Commander. On February 4, 1994 he was killed in an encounter with Security Forces near Kathi Darwaza area of Srinagar.

Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed: Otherwise known as Javed Ahmed. Better known as "Izrail Khan". He was Intelligence Chief (early 1993) of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. On April 30,1993, lie was travelling in his car in which he seemed to be transporting some bombs. One bomb burst and car was blown up killing him .

Earlier he was one of 5 arrested militants released in exchange of Ms Nahida Soz daughter of Prof. Saif-ud-Soz on March 8,1991.

Khan, Capt. Noon A militant who in 1995 became the spokesman of new outfit, "Iqbal Park Coordination Committee".

Khan, Noor (Air Mrshal): Also known as Noor-ul-Haq. One of the pioneers of militancy. When 'Allah Tigers' organisation was formed on

' August 15,1989 he was named its Chief. He issued instructions to his cadres to ensure that all Cinemas, Wine shops, Bars, Video Parlours, Beauty Parlours, and the like, were closed down. Within a few days the order was enforced strictly. Allah Tigers was temporarily merged with JKI ,F on April 5,1990 and he was made Chief Organiser. He was arrested on September 20,1990 but escaped on April 19,1992 from Soura Medical Institute, while undergoing treatment. He was helped by Al Burq activists and for a few months aligned himself with them but soon returned to revive Allah Tigers. He was again arrested.

Khan, Riyaz Ahmed: A senior memt'jr of Al-Umar Commandos. He was made Chief Commander in 1992. In an encounter with Security Forces on December 16,1992, he and 5 others were killed..

Khan, Jabran: Real name 'Abdul Nasir Khan Rathore. See Rathore. Khan, Nayeem Ahmed: A senior member of J&K Peoples League.

He has been a close aide of the Chairman, Shabir Ahmed Shah. For some time he was also his Deputy. Nayeem was arrested along with Shabir Shah on September 27,1989 at Ramban while they were on their way to Jammu from Srinagar. 1 le was released in early 1991 but arrested again in May 1991. Once again he was released on September 16,1992 from Jammu Jail. Yet again he was arrested on May 9,1993 but released soon after.

In 1997 he developed serious differences with Shabir Shah and the Peoples League about its objectives and strategy to achieve them. The ranks of the party got divided. ()n February 4,1998, Khan announced reorganisation of the League with a more marked sepratist stand. He became its Chairman.


When Shabir Shah announced Rupees 10 million Trust in Aprill998, Khan accused Shah of hiding donations received and having retained nearly "fifty times more with him." Klian asked Shah to hand over to Peoples League the "vast funds and property created out of them" or else the League would issue a White Paper.

' On August 3, 1998 Khan was made General Secretary of the reconsituted Peoples League. Next few months he spent in trying to consolidate his hold on the organisation and to create new bonds of understanding with important members of Hurriyat Executive.

After Farooq Government in 1999-2000 Budget, imposed new taxes and increased water and power tariffs, Nayeem Khan considered this a good opportunity to unite all anti government elements on economic issues. On March 9,1999 he announced formation of a "National Front". In the statement issued by him it was claimed that Front was launched to fight "economic terrorism" allegedly unleashed by the Farooq Abdullah Goveninint against the people of the Valley. Front comprises of intellactuals and leaders of various political parties.

It became clear that he was unable to carry his own organisation with him because in 3 days time he was reported to have been "expelled" describing him as "anti - movement " who had supported a "non -movement issue" and formed another organisation without the League having taken decision to form it.

Within 2 days his "ideas and plans" were taken over by Kashmir Bar Association who floated "Peoples Forum for Justice" which it said would be a voluntary and apolitical forum. 14 different organisations and associations of Kashmir Valley became members of this Forum.

Khan, Idrees Mohammed: Real name : Mohd. Yusuf Shieikh. Military Advisor and Intelligence Chief (1993) of JKLF. With some important members of JKLF be entered Hazratbal Shrine, taking arms, ammunition and wireless sets, before October 15,1993. Alongwith others he got holed up there for 32 days because of the cordon thrown all round by Security Forces. With 'Umar' of "Operation Balakote", Idris was the principal negotiators with the representatives of the Government . On agreed terms he alongwith other militants inside the Shrine, surrendered after handing over their arms, on November 16,1993. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen issued death warrant against him for tame surrender; After staying-under protection for few days, he restarted his own activities. On February 10,1995 he was gunned down allegedly by activists of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, near Hazratbal Shrine where he had gone to join Friday prayers. The JKLF announced reward of Rs.50,000 for anyone giving information of HUM killers or handing them over dead or alive. This led to serious differences between HUM and JKLF.

{


Khan, Jaffar: An operative of Pakistan ISI for Nowshera sector of Rajoun District He was fiom Pakistan Army, as confirmed by documents found on his dead body. He was "Area Commander' coordmating the operations of militant outfits in Rajoun & Poonch Districts. On September 10 1993 he got killed by Army troops chasing him near Nowshera.

Khan, Mukhtar: A well trained member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was promoted a Battalion Commander in South Kashmir in early 1998 The Amarnath Yatra (Hindu pilgrimage) was to be spread over two months of July and August same summer He was charged to disrupt the pilgrimage and cause as much damage as possible With his group he was camping in Nagbal area in Hapatnar Valley close to the pilgrimage route. In quick operation Army troops surrounded them In the encounter that followed on July 25,1998 Khan was shot at and injured. He was then arrested

Khan, Samad: A member of Al Fateh Force. In 1994 he was made the "Launching Chief". In July 1995 alongwith a few other colleagues he joined Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon

Khan, Sher Bahadur: A senior member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon In reorganisation of July 8,1995, he was named Divisional Commander for South Kashmir.

Khan, Shen Alias "Shera" AGujarof Poonch District. Orginally * of JKLF He was one of 5 militants exchanged for Di. Rubiya Sayed in December 1989. Later he joined the J&K Peoples Liberation Army—a breakaway group of JKLF. He became its President. He made frequent visits to POK and Pakistan where his contacts were with high ranking officers of ISI. He was arrested in Srinagar by Security Forces on August 3 1992. He was released later and crossed over to POK There he was asked to run a number of training camps for Kashmir youths. On July 27,1997 he crossed the LOC in Rojouri sector and was killed by Army in an encounter at Badon, 7 kms From Rajoun.

Khan,Umar Hyat: A resident of POK. He is founder President of a less known outfit—Al-Inqalab Mujahideen.

Khan,Yawar: A member of standing of JKLF In 1993, he was made District Military Advisor for Badgam. In an encounter with Security Forces on December 7,1993, he was killed

Khan,Yunus: A member of Tehrik-i-Jehad-i-Islamia. Early in 1991, he was made its Deputy Chief Commander. In an exchange of fire with Security Council m Handwara on May 21,1991, he was killed

Kassana, Khal id: Alias "Lovely". A resident of Gujar Nagar, Jammu I le is a senior member of IKLF He is alleged to have been responsible for indiscriminate firing on December 2,1990 and also on December 12, 1990 below Gumat Chowk at Jammu, killing many persons J le is alleged to have close liaison wilh Punjab militants for whom he used to arrange

Players and Captains 3 W

refuge and was alleged to have been the conduil for illegal amis from Kashmir to Jammu where those were distributed among new recruits. In middle of 1990 he was made Area Commander for Jammu. In 1991 he was arrested and detained under TADA and produced in the designated court at Jammu on January 31,1992.

Kohistani, Javed: A senior activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1994 he was made Divisional Commander for Poonch and Rajouri Districts. He was killed on February 17,1995 in an encounter with Army in Kanji-Dajan village adjacent to Charar-i-Sharief town.

Khan, Nissar Ahmed: Alias Jan Sahib. A regimental commander of Hizbullah. Alongwith his Chief, Mushtaq-uHslam, he was arrested on June 18,1991.

Khan, Gazab: A dreaded militant who was forced to surrender to Security Forces at Srinagar on July 27,1997. A delegation from Shopian called on the Minister of State for Home the next day demanding that Gazab Khan be executed in public view since he was allegedly responsible for killing of 126 civilians in Shopian-Kulgam area.

Khan, Musa: Alias Abdul Majid. He belongs to Doda District. After ' training in Pakistan he joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Soon he became a> close associate of its District Commander Javed Qureshi. Alongwith Qureshi he was killed on November 6, 1997 in an encounter with armymen.

Khan, Musa: Alias Abu Musa, A Sector Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in the Surankate area of Poonch District. With 2 otliers he \ was killed on December 25,1998 in an encounter with Army troops.

Khan, Bahadur: See Shah, Lateef. Khan, Sher: See Sher Khan. Kuchai, Mohd. Ashraf: Alias 'Aabid'. A senior 'Commander' for

Budgam and Pulwama Districts. It was officially claimed that he was responsible for many killings in 1995 and 1996 including that of 9 Nepalese labourers in March 1996. Many blasts of IEDs and firing incidents were also credited to him. Security Forces closed in on a house its Chatergam in Budgam District on October 22, 1997, where Ashraf was reported to have taken refuge in an injured condition. Before he got killed in the encounter he kept them engaged in firing from his AK-47 rifle which was found to he fitted with grenade launching attachment.

Kuchai, Suhail: Elder brother of Ashraf Kuchai. He was a veteran Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and had at least 2 killings to his "* credit. He got killed in 1995 in an encounter with Security Forces on outskirts of Srinagar.

Khan, Tariq: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was promoted as District Commander for Anantnag in 1997. In an encounter

320 Kashmir Uitticr^mumi

in Dabran village near Anantnag town on December 2, 1997 with a contingent of Police and CRPF, he was killed.

Khan, Shafi: As experienced militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was a battalion commander operating in Anantnag District and adjoining areas. In an encounter with Security Forces at Dabran Village on December 2,1997 he was killed.

Khan, 'Gen.' Badshah: His code name was Abu Zubair. An Afghan national from Kabul. In early 1998, Pakistan ISI Controller at Kotli (POK) Col. Aftab appointed Badshah Khan as "Wing Commander" for two Districts of Poonch and Rajouri for the Unified Command Council of three outfits—Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Lashkar-i-Toiba and Harkat-ul-Ansar. He was reportedly involved in killing of over 30 persons in less than two months of May and June 1998 in Surankote area of Poonch District. He avoided using a bullet to kill. Instead he used to slit the throats and let victims bleed to death. On June 25 he was killed by Armymen in an encounter in village Dippar in Surankote area.

Since he was a dreaded militant, ISI decided to anoint another militant as Badshah Khan to confuse the Security Forces. Earlier also another Badshah Khan had been killed on February 9 in Khwaja Seri village. At one time there were 5 militants bearing this name operating in 5 different areas of these two Districts.

Officials disclosed that Zubair was very senior militant and also communicated over wireless directly with Syed Salahudin HUM Supremo. It was learnt that in 4 or 5 months previous to his killing, he was engaged many times by Security7 Forces but managed to escape.

Khan, Dinga: A commander of Harkat-ul-Ansar incharge of a sector in Rajouri District. In an encounter with Army troops on December 19, 1998 he was killed.

Khan, Mohd. Shafi: Alias 'Obaid'. A resident of Khan Sahib (Budgam District). A member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He was made a Commander in early 1997. In November 1997, with 2 other senior members he was sent to Delhi. Soon after his arrival he was arrested in third week November 1997 by Delhi Police.

Khan, Idrees: Code name 'Saifullah'. A Pakistani national. In 1994 he was inducted in Pakistani set-up of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. After specialised training in explosives and making of IEDs he was infiltrated into Kashmir Valley. Soon he become a District Commander. His area of operation was Pattan-Baramulla belt. He indulged in attacks on Security Forces and also blasts on Srinagar-Baramulla Highway. In autumn of 1998 he shifted his base to Ganderbal area in Srinagar District where he was asked to coordinate the activities of foreign mercenaries. On February 2,1999 in an encounter with. Security Forces in Saloora near Ganderbal his colleague and he were killed.

Players and Captains 321.

Khan, Shanno: Real name: Mrs Shaheena Nazar (22). A member of Dukhtran-i-Millat—a women outfit. She was arrested on July 28, 1998 by Delhi Police from Matia Mahal area of the walled City. During interrogation she disclosed that she joined JKLF in early 1991 when she fell in love with an activist who was. later killed in an encounter. She then joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and later became a member of Dukhtaran-i-Millat outfit. She told police'that in 1995 she had undergone detention for a fortnight in Srinagar.

Khan, Badshah: Alias 'Nishat'. He operated in Doda District as a member of "Crush India" organisation. Due to pressure of Security Forces he surrendered to Doda Police in February 1998.

Kataria, Mohd. Shafi: A late comer to militancy but he rose quickly through the ranks. In 1997 in the recently formed outfit Tehrik-i-Jehad, he was made its Divisional Commander. Before he could achieve much he was picked up by Kashmir Police from a hideout in Kupwara District, on October 23,1997. Some arms and a wireless set were recovered from him.

Khan, Shamshan: Alias 'Black Cobra'. An Afghan national and a hardened militant with many exploits to his credit before Pakistan ISI sent him to Poonch in late 1997 as Hizb-ul-Mujahideen District Commander. Within a few months he had got involved in many killings and subversive activities in this area. Along with 3 other Afghans, Cobra was killed by Armymen on February 7,1998 in Peace Topa near Dera Ki Gali in Bafliaz area of Surankote in Poonch District in a major encounter. A good number of arms, sophisticated weapons and 3 wireless sets were recovered.

Khalid-i-Sani: Real name Ghulam Hassan. See Lone, G. H.. Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed: A District Commander of Tehrik-e-Jehad

for Kupwara District. At Deiver in Lolab area of Kupwara District the Security Forces laid an ambush on March 19, 1999. In the ensuing encounter with his group, Mushtaq got killed.

Khalid, Mohammed: A Pakistan national from Sialkot area in Punjab. He was a Havildar in the Pakistan Army. Aftei retirement he was employed by the ISI and trained.in subversive activities. In 1996 he was infiltrated into Rajouri area. With small groups of militants he took part in many actions. During this period he also made friends with many political activists. He was arrested in 1997 and ultimately landed up in Kot Bhalwal Jail. There he came to know Mohd'. Irfan and Mohd. Salim— also members of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. All the three made plans for the escape from jail. Khalid was made the leader of the group. The three escaped on October 1, 1998. In 4 days time they had managed to get back to Pakistan after sneaking through the closely monitored border.


Khan, Badshah: A Pak national and a senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. After intensive training by ISI and thorough briefing about tasks to be performed in Poonch District, he was pushed across the LOC in 1997. He was then designated as District Commander and asked to create disturbances on eve of Parliamentary elections. However, he was killed by Armymen in an encounter on February 8,1998 in Khawja Seri area near Surankote.

Khan, Shahbaaz: Alias 'Ustaad Jehadi'. A Pakistani national who was "Ameer-e-Aalla" of Harkat-ul-Ansar in Kashmir Valley in 1997. In an encounter with Armymen in Yangoora, Ganderbal area on March 23, 1998 alongwith 3 other Pakistani nationals and members of HUA, he got killed. Authorities later claimed that they were members of HUA group that was responsible for ruthless massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits at Wandhama on January 26,1998.

Khan, Bashin Alias 'Hyder'. A Pakistan—trained militant who was active throughout 1997 in Sopore-Kupwara belt. In summer of 1997 he was made Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Divisional Commander. In an encounter in a Sopore village on September 14,1997 he was killed by Security Forces.

Khateeb, Nadeem Ahmed: A well educated and widely traveled son of a retired Chief Engineer Inayatullah Khateeb. A highly trained commercial pilot who spent 4 years in United State. In school in Srinagar he was classmate of a former Chief of JKLF, Ashfaq Majid Wani. After graduation from Srinagar he went to US and got his flying training at South Eastern School of Aeronautics, Georgia. He stayed there for over 18 months and secured experience of over seven hundred hours of flying. He returned to Kashmir in 1996 with his parents who had gone to US. While training for a job he got motivated by active militants. He soon went back to the States and got trained in flying of jets. There he joined Harkat-ul-Ansar. Information available indicates that he participated in some actions in Chechanya and Bosnia. His family had no knowledge that some months ago he had entered Jammu region and was operating there because they used to receive telephone calls from him telling then that he was employed and enjoying his job in the States. Till the family at Srinagar received a telephone call from a London contact on February 27,1999 that Nadeem was killed in an encounter with Security Forces in upper reaches of Udhampur District and had been buried in Buthal village. His elder brodier Waseem nushed to Udhampur, got the body exhumed and transported it to Srinagar. His body was reburied at Rawalpara in Srinagar just before his aged parents departed on March 3, 1999 to perform I'nj. The American Embassy informed the State Government that Nadeem had not taken American citizenship as some reports had suggested.


Kitata, Abu: A Pakistani national. A member of Lashkar-i-Toiba who was made a Dis Erict Commander after he reached Kashmir in early 1997. In a day long encounter with Security Forces near Sopore on November 29,1997 he was killed.

Khalid, Mohammed: A Pakistani national. He was one of the pioneers who was sent to Kashmir to establish the units o( Harkat-ul-Jehad-el-Islamia International. He was reported to be hiding in a house in Seer-Sangrama village of Baramulla District, on November 22,1993. The BSF personnel surrounded the house and in the subsequent encounter two of his colleagues and he were killed.

Khan, Yousaf: See Dhobi, Mohd. Shafi. Khuda Bakhsh, Dr.: A senior leader oi Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in

Pakistan to which he belongs. With 2 important colleagues he come to Kashmir Valley on May 2, 1993. After making contacts with local commanders and taking part in few encounters with Security Forces, he managed to cross back to Pakistan.

Kukka Parray: See Parray. Khan, Sajjad: Better known as Sajjad Khan Afghani—See Afghani. Khalid: Real name Mushtaq Ahmed Bhatt. See Bhatt. Kaul, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias Muzzafar Fauji. Also known as

Mushtaq Kolpuri. A resident of Kulgam area of Anantnag District. A hardcore since

March 1990, he had received training at hands of ISI in Pakistan. He was Hizb-ul-Mujahideen District Commander for more than 2 years. The b

Security Forces hunted him from place to place. He ultimately surrendered in November 1997. Alongwith some wellknown activists of Jamait-i-Islami, at a public meeting in Kulgam on November 4,1997 he renounced the gun and advised militants to shun path of violence. He criticised Pakistan for sponsoring violence in the name of "Jehad".

Khan, Mohd. Sajid Ali: A national of Pakistan from Faisalabad A highly trained commando of Harkat-ul-Ansar who was infiltrated across LOC into Poonch sector in April 1998. He took part in a few operations. On June 17,1998 alongwith 2 other associates (one Pakistani) he was killed in an encounter with Armymen in which one Major was also killed.

Khan, Wafadan See Parray, Manzoor Ahmed. Khan, Mir Nissar Ahmed: In early 1998 he was made Commander

of the revived unit of JKLF in Poonch and Rajouri Districts in Jammu region. Alongwith "General" Badshah Khan and Tariq Bhai (LET) he got killed near Surankote in an encounter with Army on June 25,1998.

Khan, Aamir: Real name Mohammed Hanief. A trained militant who was a member of Students Liberation Front. Having performed well, on April 27, 1991 he was promoted as Front's Deputy Chief. Next day in company of two other well known militants, traveling in a car, he was


shot dead by Security Forces, when the car failed to stop when signalled by the CRPR

Khan, Masta: Also known as Shamsher Khan. A District Commander " of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Rajouri District. In an encounter with Security Forces in Mandu Galla area of Darhal on July 30,1998, he was killed. He belonged to Pakistan.

Khan, Rustam: A Pakistani national. He was Hizb Commander of Budhal area in Rajouri District. He was an expert in fabricating Improvised Explosive Devices (IDEs). With two colleagues he got killed in an encounter in Mandu Galla area of Darhal in Rajouri District on July 30,1998.

Khan, Mohd. Altab: Alias 'Imran'. He was Publicity Incharge of Shoura-e-Jehad a conglomerate of some pro-Pak militant outfits. He was arrested at Srinagar on April 14,1998.

Khurshid: Also known as "Khan". He was a senior member of Al-Umar Mujahideen. On August 9,1998 he was arrested at Srinagar by BSF soon after he had come back from Calcutta. Since 1991 when he joined militant ranks, he spent most time in Calcutta selling shawls, with short visits to Srinagar. After his arrest he led BSF to a hideout in Nowhata locality from where large quantity of arms were recovered.

Kundji, Arshid Ahmed: Alias 'Basharat'. He was District Financial Chief of Harkat-ul-Ansar outfit. He was arrested in Srinagar on August 23,1998

Kashir, Abdul Bashir: Alias Abu Rehan alias Masta Khan. A • Pakistani national who belonged to regular Pakistan Army though an original inhabitant of Mirpur District (POK). For more than 6 months he was operating in upper reaches of Udhampur District of Jammu region before he was surrounded along with his group in Mahore area. In the encounter that followed with Security Forces he was killed on October 4, 1998. From his possession were recovered maps of sensitive areas of Udhampur District and a highly sophisticated wireless set with whose help he was communicating with other foreign mercenaries and with ISI in Pakistan.

Khan, Mehraj -ud-Din: Alias 'Dr. Khan' . He was District Commander of Al-Umar Mujihideen when he was arrested at Srinagar on October 26,1998. He confessed that he was active in early period of militancy and later crossed over to Pakistan for advance training in Afghanistan. He had recently returned to Kashmir because ISI had asked him to revive AUM.

Khan, Izrahil: Real name laved Ahmed. He was an expert in making IEDs and bombs. A member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen, he rose to be its Intelligence Chief in early 1L>93. In Srinagar on April 30, W 3 he was


carrying in his Ambassador car a high-powered explosive device in the outskirts when it exploded and he died, his body blown to pieces.

Langrayal, Nassarollah Manzoon Real name is Mohammed Khan Ghaznavi. Alias Nasir-ud-Din. A Pakistani national from Sind. He was involved in Afghan War since 1980. For many years he has been a member of Harkat-uI-Jehad-e-Islami(International). He claimed to be Chairman of its Recruiting Group. He fought in Afghan War for 14 years and commanded 800 mujahideen. In 1992 he was deputed by ISI to establish. a HUJI group in Kashmir. In a few months he had a 100 strong group of mercenaries drawn from Pakistan, Afghanistan and some Arab countries. He even claimed to have had a Turk under him. As their Chief Commander he operated in different parts of Kashmir Valley and in Doda Dstrict. Alngwith three others, on November 19, 1993 he was arrested from village Kapran near Shopian in Pulwama District. According to hinTKashmiri militants are neither dedicated nor Islamic. He confessed that he was mvolvedjrLkiHing" of 10 BSF personnel and 6 civilians in Doda District in June 1993r . \

Lodhi, Bilal Ahmed: A advocate of standing. Practised in Kupwara Y\ and in Srinagar. Whe Al Burq was formed in 1990 he became its Chairman, after receiving arms training in Pakistan. A close associate of Abdul Ghani Lone and a senior member of Peoples Conference since its inception. He narrowly escaped death in an encounter with Security Forces at Kupwara on June 9,1991. Later, after an encounter with Security Forces in Uri sector on December 4,1991, he was arrested, after 40 of colleagues had been killed. After his release he has moved away from insurgency. After consultations with his friends and colleagues who were also disenchanted, oh February 10,1996 he and 3 others offered to have unconditional dialogue with Delhi. They severely criticised Hurriyat leadership for their failure to protect Kashmiri interests. He was one of the 4 invited to Delhi for meeting with the Union Home Minister which took place on March 15,1996. A special committee of senior officers of Government of India under Special Secretary in the Home Ministry, Mr.V.KJain, was set up to follow up the discussions. On February 12, 1996, he was expelled from Peoples Conference.

Lone, Abdul Ghani: Born in 1932 he had his education in Kupwara and Sopore. He got his law degree from Aligarh University in 1957. He was a student leader. He joined Congress Party in the sixties.. He was elected MLA in 1967 and again in 1972 on Congress ticket. He was made a Deputy Minister in 1970 and a Minister of State in 1972. Later, he was promoted ns a run cabinet minister, m 1975 he defected to the National Conference. He joined Janata Party in the Legislative Assembly in 1977.

In 1981 he formed J&K Peoples Conference and became its Chairman. He was an articulate politician in opposition till armed militancy raised


its head in Kashmir in 198?. He took part in processions and demonstrations of secessionists in 1990. He was arrested on April 11, 1990 and detained in Tihar Jail at Delhi. After his release in 1992 he participated wholeheartedly in secessionist activities in Kashmir to help the on-going movement. In 1993 he went to Saudi Arabia for Umrah and from there to Britain for treatment of heart ailment from which he had been suffering for sometime. Thereafter, he went to United States where he met Congressmen and officers of the State Department and Human Rights organisations. When All Parties Hur r iya t Corifetenee^AFHQ"was formed/Wspwrty Ya^wgjo&r^^YfcvwaTradfc member of its Executive Committee. He was arrested for leading protest demonstrations against ban of entry into Hazratbal Shrine by armed militants. He was detained for many months before being released in November 1994.

From Tihar Jail, Delhi in November 1991 in a statement jointly issued with three other senior secessionist leaders, he asked for grant of right of self-determination as the only politically acceptable and peaceful solution of Kashmir issue. After his release in 1992, in a few public meetings he addresed in rural Kashmir, he warned Indian Government to desist from using force to suppress the voice of Kashmiri people He declared that the peoples' movement will be carried on "at all costs." He said there was no question of any group or party of breaking out of the current struggle. In January 1993 when permission was not granted to him to meet political detenues and undertrials in Jammu Central Jail, he ridiculed the policy of transperancy of the Government.

After a five month long tour of Saudi Arabia, Iran, UK and USA returning to Srinagar in July 1993, Lone claimed that he had been able to inform the leaders and opinion ,makers in these countries about the real situation in Kashmir. He proposed a diplomatic and political offensive by the Kashmiris because the majority of people of India and the outside world were unaware about the basic issue of Kashmir. Stressing absolute necessity of unity of all secessionist elements hd said that even foreign friends like Lord Avebury in London had told him, "we will help you here; you help yourselves by forging unity at home."

In August 1993 he criticised the liberal leaders of India and the champions of human rights "for their criminal silence" on the excesses being committed by the Security Forces in Kashmir. He ridiculed BJP leaders like Atal Bihari Vajpayee who thought that " Kashmiris can be silenced by brute military force-" He called absurd the Indian charge that what was hap petting, in Kashmir was creation of Pakistan. He claimed the uprising in Kashmir was "totally indigenous." He praised Pakistan for extending moral and political support to Kashmiris "in hour of need for n just cause."


In October 1993 Lone was arrested while participating in a procession in defiance of prohibitory orders, to protest against people not being allowed to visit Hazratbal Shrine which was then occupied by militants. He was detained under TAD A, in Tihar Jail, Delhi. When he was in Marchl994, produced before the Advisory Board for review of his detention under TADA, he alleged that he was detained because he believed that future of Kashmir was still to be decided. He said if this' was a crime then the Indian Prime Minister,Mr. P. V.Narsimha Rao should also be made an accused and tried for treason because he had invited Pakistani Prime Minister for bilateral talks to solve the Kashmir problem since this invitation amounted to acknowledgement of Kashmir being a disputed territory.

He was released from Jammu jail on September 30,1994. In January 1995 he announced that APHC would accept any "solution that was evolved with help of an international mediator by India, Pakistan and representatives of people of Jammu & Kashmir, for "we want to avoid an Indo-Pak war which surely would result in a nuclear confrontation."

Lone had surprised many in December 1995 when he said, "our objective is to destroy the existing power structure in Kashmir and build a new one. None of us is interested in an election farce."

He represented the Hurriyat Conference at an International Seminar on Nationality Question held at New Delhi on February 18,1996. There he justified taking up gun by Kashmiri youth because "all our attempts failed through democratic and peaceful means to seek-Indian Government's implementation of its commitments."

With the rise of counter-insurgency groups in Kashmir since middle of 1995,Lone claims that three attempts on his life had been made. For his personal protection he has declined government security. Instead, he had asked for arms licenses for his personal bodyguards which were refused because Government is against" creation of private militias."

On April 18,1996 he participated in symbolic Hurriyat march to the army cantonment at Badami Bagh in Srinagar to ask "Indian Army to quit Kashnmir." He was one of the five leaders who were arrested from a sitdown strike on the main thoroughfare in Srinagar. He was released in the evening, along with others.

Once again he was arrested outside the Jamma Masjid in Srinagar on November 21,1997 while with other Hurriyat leaders he was taking part in a protest march against alleged human rights abuses. He was released on bail on May 27,1998 after furnishing a bond as ordered by the court.

From Jail he issued a statement on May 23, 1998 denouncing any accord that Dr. Farooq Abdullah may strike with New Delhi. He also warned separatist leaders not to fall pray to efforts afoot to include them

328 Kashmir Uiitferyrtmntl

in the proposed deal. He also asked all those who were sympathetii- to the ongoing movement not to issue statement favouring Farooq Government.

After his release on May 27,1998 he told the press that the Kashmiri movement had not been launched to get any political or economic package. "Nothing short of freedom is acceptable to the people," he asserted. He alleged that Government was making efforts to break up the Hurriyat Conference. He appealed to all the leaders to close their ranks, stand together and "foil the designs of the Government at this critical time."

During detention his health had given some anxious moments. On June 9, 1998 he was flown to New Delhi and admitted in All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) for urgent treatment. Later, he was shifted to Escorts Heart Hospital where he underwent Engiography and Baloon surgery for serious heart ailment. He flew back to Srinagar on August 24,1998.

After Taliban successes in Afghanistan, Dr.Farooq Abdullah expressed apprehensions that Taliban now may divert their attention towards Kashmir. Lone was the first Kashmir leader who gave an open invitation to Talibans to "come to Kashmir to help in the ongoing peoples' movement", in November 1998.

Because of his heart problem he underwent a 5-hour long surgery in Escorts Heart Institute at New Delhi, on November 4,1998.

Lone, Ashfaq Ahmed: Alias "CoLFaridi". A member of Jammu unit of Moslem Janbaz Force. In September 1995 he appeared to be a Zonal Commander. When MJF Chief Babbar Badr decided to give up gun and offered to have dialogue with New Delhi, Lone an d 14 other activists decided to follow Badr. Lone was present at Batote (Jammu) on February 27,1996 when this announcement was made.

Lone, Ashfaq Hussain: A member of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. In 1991,Lone was Deputy Chief of Intelligence. From within the walled city of Delhi, he was arrested on March 25,1991. It was alleged that 23 bank drafts totalling Rs. 15.5 lacs and Rs. 50,000/- in cash were recovered from him. He told police that these had been given to him by a student of Jawahar Lai Nehru University, Shahbudin Ghouri. Lone further disclosed that the money was meant for HUM leaders Mohd. Yusuf Shah and Master Ahsan Dar. He disclosed further that in November 1990, Pakistan ISI officer Col. Tariq had visited Kashmir Valley in his company.

Lone, Manzoor Ahmed: Alias " Hilal." An HUM activist of South Kashmir. He was Group Co-ordinator for Kulgam area in 1993. On January 17,1994 he was killed by Security Forces in an encounter.

Lone,Nissar Ahmed: Alias "Shahji". An active member of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen. He rose rapidly and at end of 1992 he had become Acting

Players and Captains 32LJ

Chief. His two close aides and he were killed on March 13,1993 in an encounter with Security Forces. First their hideout was cordoned off. They were asked to surrender. Instead of doing that they hurled grenades and started firing . When the Security Forces retaliated, all three were killed.

Lone, Riyaz Ahmed: A senior member of JKLF. When the organisation split in September 1995 he became part of Shabir Sidiqui group owing allegiance to Amanullah Khan.

Lone, Ghulam Rasul: Alias 'Umar Chacha'. A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was named Divisional Commander (North)in 1993. In 1994-95 he had functioned as HUM Launching Chief. On March 14,1996, he was arrested from Srinagar outskirts by STF of Kashmir Police. He led the police to a hidden dump of arms and ammunition. While these were being recovered militants attacked and killed Lone.

Lone, Mushtaq Ahmed: A District Commander of JKLF. While escaping from a dragnet, he was shot dead while in a boat crossing Jehlum river alongwith Acting President, Sheikh Abdul Hamid,on November 19,1992. His body was recovered from the river three days later.

Lone, Ghulam Hassan: Alias 'Usman'. A trained activist of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Belongs to Kulgam area in Kashmir. He was detained in Jammu Special Jail at Kot Bhalwal under Public Safety Act for one year from June 15, 1992. He was allegedly involved in assasination of the former Speaker of Legislative Assembly Wali Mohammed Ittoo at Jammu on March 18,1994. He managed to escape after the shoot out.

Cone, Abdul Rashid: Hails from Kupwara District. He went across to Pakistan for training and joined Al Burq outfit. Under Dawood Khan he was made Second-in-Command. He was sent back to Kashmir and made Chief Organiser, He was made responsible to enrol new recruits and also to arrange from POK, arms and ammunition and then to distribute them to various outfits. On July 3,1997 he was arrested by SOG of Kashmir Police.

Lone, Ghulam Hassan: Alias "Khalid Saani". He belongs to Pulwama District but was made District Commander for Budgam District by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested from outskirts of Srinagar on January 30,1998. He was one of the longest surviving militants in Kashmir. Police alleged that in past 8 years he was involved in many killings. After preliminary interrogation by BSF he was handed over to Kashmir Police . He led BSF team to a hideout in Srinagar where two important militants were hiding. They were killed by BSF. On January 18,1998, the Police disclosed that Lone had been killed in an encounter. Interrogation had revealed that Lone was in Charar-i-Sharief on May 10,1995, with Mast Gul. The Police disclosed that Lone had led them to Hizb hideout at 6 different places from where substantial quantities of


arms, ammunition and explosives were recovered. He also helped the elimination of another HUM Divisional Commander, Imtiaz Alam in Srinagar. In his interrogation he had revealed that ISI plan to eliminate a number of National Conference legislators and party activists in Kashmir. He also admitted that he had been receiving regularly from ISI Rupees two lacs every month to run his organisation.

Lone,Ashfaq: Alias 'Col.Faridi'. A senior militant belonging to Moslem Janbaz Force. He was made a Zonal Commander in Doda District in 1995. With 13 other party activists he supported his Chief, Babar Badr in February 1996 when he opted for dialogue with Delhi.

Lone, Hilal Ahmed: Alias 'Tariq'. Belongs to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 he became its Publicity Chief. On June 19,1998 he was arrested from Nawab Bazar, Srinagar. From him were recovered many fake Police Identiuty Cards.

Lone, Nazir Ahmed: Belonging to Kupwara District. He was recruited by Jamait-ul-Mujahideen in July 1997 and sent across LOC for arms training. On return, for some months he operated in northwest Kashmir but on July 10,1998 alongwith a colleague he was surrounded by armymen in a village near Kupwara town, and was made to surrender. He then disclosed that both of them had received training in mujahideen camps at Peshawar and Lahore from Pak Army Officers.

Lone, Bashir Ahmed: A resident of Channapora, Srinagar. He joined militancy in 1991 and after training became an active member of Al Jehad outfit. He rose to become a District Commander. He was arrested by SOG, Kashmir Police from Srinagar on October 17,1998.

Lala, Mohd. Ayub: Alias "Biju Ustad"—District Commander (Anantnag) of Al Jehad. Arrested by Security Forces on April 23,1994.

Lohar, Subhan: A senior militant of Harkat-ul-Ansar. His main area of operation was Mahu Mangat area near Banihal in Doda District. Here the Police claimed he had indulged in killings, kidnappings and extortions. On February 5, 1998 his hideout in Mahu Mangat, was surrounded by Army jawans. In the encounter Subhan was killed.

' Manhas, Raja Khalid: A national of POK, who was a major contact there of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He used to cross over the LOC frequently to confer with HUM Commanders. In July 1993 while crossing over he was killed in an encounter with Security Forces.

Manan, Prof. Abdul: Real name Bilal Ahmed Bhat also known as 'Tanveer-ul-Islam. A member of Hizbullah. In October 1995, due to differences with the leadership, he formed a separate faction. However efforts were made to iron out differences and he returned to the fold. On November 25,1995 he was made spokesman of the Chief, Shahidul Islam, in whom he expressed full faith and subordination. The Police SOG


arrested him on April 14,1997. He was a favorite of Pak ISI with whom he had trained. He was a X-Ray technician in a Government Hospital in Kashmir before becoming a militant.

Masood, Dr. Alam: A member of JKLF. When the organisation split in September 1995, he sided with Shabir Sidiqi group owing allegiance to Amanullah Khan. After Sidiqi & Basharat Raza were killed in an encounter with J&K Police STF outside Hazratbal Shrine on March 27, 1996, Dr. Alam Masood was appointed Chief Commander.

Masood, Mamoon: Known by this code name. He is an exemployee of J&K Police Porce. Became an active member of Al Jihadia—an organisation of discharged policemen. He was made its President. On May 5,1994, Al Jihadia merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Mehmood, Tahin Real name Ghulam Nabi Mir. Alias Dr. Abrar. Belonged to Kangan. A senior member of Allah Tigers. In 1992, he was Party Chief. In an interview on November 12,1992 he said "gun alone cannot be the solution of Kashmir tangle; issue can be resolved across the table." Justifying use of gun he said "taking to armed struggle became unavoidable. With the help of gun we have been able to inject new life into the Kashmir issue and today if the whole world is concerned about us, it is only because Kashmiri youth took to arms. This is the biggest achievement of the gun." He however hastened to add that "gun and politics are two faces of same coin but politics should have an upper hand." Reflecting on solution of the tangle, he said, "we accept and respect the right of people to decide anything about their future but such a decision should be strictly within the framework of Islamic principles." After Allah Tigers merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, he was made District Commander. The BSF arrested him from Shrinagar on February 25,1994, while he was in SMHS Hospital trying to involve Doctors and others of staff in militant activities.

Manhas, Khalid: Hailing from Kishtwar in Doda, he was Al Jehad Area Commander in Jammu City in 1992-93. Originally a member of JKLF he joined Al Jehad in 1991. He is alleged to have been involved in explosion in DC office at Jammu in July 1990, Oil Depot near Railway Station (Rocket attack) in December 1990, and grenade attack near Raghunath Temple in Jammu City on September 2,1991. On February 1,1993 accompanied by a colleague he was loitering in a lane in Jammu City at night. People got suspicious and chased them. His colleague fired and escaped, Manhas was caught and severely beaten He later died in hospital..

Malik Niyazi: A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalnioon. In the reorganisation of the Group on July 8, 1995, he was made Divisional Commander, North.


Manzoor, Dr.: Belongs to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. When it was reorganised on July 8,1995, he was put in charge of Anantnag, as District Commander.

Mir, Abdul Ahmed "Salim": A very active militant on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway. Member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Was killed in an encounter on December 30,1993.

Mir, Mohd. Altaf: Alias "Khalid". An active member of Al Fateh. He was arrested from Bandipore by Security Forces, on January 3,1994.

Mir, Manzoor Ahmed: Alias "Nazir Khan". An activist of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was alleged to have been involved in abduction of K. Doraiswamy, Executive Director, IOC on June 28,1991.

Mir, Mohd. bail : Alias "Zaffar". A member of Al Fateh outfit. On January 3,1994, he was arrested in Bandipore.

Mir, Mohd. Ramzan: Alias "Hayat Khan". An active member of Moslem Mujahideen. In an intergang clash on September 7, 1994, he was killed by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen activists.

Mir Niyazi: Real name is Ghulam Nabi Mir. A militant of wide experience who became well known when he was appointed a Divisional Commander of Al Fateh Force in October 1994. Not seeing much future in that outfit, in July 1995 he joined Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. On July 8 he was made Incharge Publicity. When this organisation formed its political wing—Awami League, Niyazi was made its General Secretary. For the Parliamentary elections in May 1996,.he filed his nomination papers from Srinagar constituency. On April 20, 1996 he said, rights of people of Jammu & Kashmir were safe within India only. "Those talking of Azadi should give account of large feuds they are getting in the name of blood of Kashmiris", he demanded. He joined Congress Party on August 31, 1996. He was fielded as a Congress candidate for Assembly elections in September 1996 but failed to get elected.

In February 1997 he returned to Awami League and was admitted by Kukka Parray on February 3, at a Party workers meeting. He accused National Conference of having failed on every front and called for a new leadership to emerge in Kashmir because old traditional leaders had failed the people.

Niyazi developed serious differences with Parray and left the Awami League in April 1998. On April 6 he announced formation of 1 nsaf Party. He alleged that Awami League leaders had siphoned off crores of rupees from Centre and State Governments received for rehabilitation of surrendered militants. He further alleged that for their employment as Special Police Officers, the Ministers and MLAs were demanding 15000/ - per recruitment.

Mir, Mohd. Qasim: Alias "Akhtnr". He was part of the Al Fateh outfit that came into being in 1991. On Innuary 3, 1994, alongwith two colleagues he was arrested at Bandipore by Security Forces.


Mir, Sajjad: Real name: Mohammed Salim. A gold medalist M.A from Kashmir University. A senior member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He became its Chief Commander in 1992 after his return from Pakistan, where he had received advance training in'a Camp near the Afghan border. He had allegedly killed one officer and 3 BSF jawans in Batamalloo area of Srinagar on April 7,1993. He got killed in ah encounter with Security Forces on July 28,1993.

Mir, Tahir Ahmed: A member of Students Liberation Front. Later, he joined the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen and rose quickly. He was in jail from December 1990 to 1994. It was alleged that he was involved in kidnapping and the murder of H. L. Khera, General Manager of HMT Watch Factory, in April 1990. During interrogation he revealed that in Pakistan an officer of ISI—Tariq accompanied them all over. They returned to Kashmir with 4 bags containing 3 AK rifles, 3 pistols and some hand grenades. He was arrested then. He was released on June 5, 1997 after the Supreme Court granted him bail. He was arrested again on November 27,1997 from Jammu.

From jail on January 12,1994 he appealed to UN Secretary General to intervene and help solve Kashmir dispute. He expressed grave concern over "silence of world community over gross violations bf human rights in the Valley." According to him "a revolution nourished by blood always grows stronger and that lesson of history Delhi should take note of".

Mir, Nissar,Ahmed: Alias "Yunis Saleem". Better known an "Zulkamain". A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1993 he was made Commander of Srinagar District. He allegedly was involved in killing of reputed physician, Dr. Ghulam Nabi Ahangar. He was also prime suspect in bomb blast in Police Headquarters at Srinagar on January 24,1992. In the blast 5 senior officers including DGP, J.N. Saxena, were seriously injured. He was killed in an exchange of fire with BSF in a Srinagar suburb on July 24,1993. Police alleged Mir was also involved in killing of Dr. A. A. Guru.

Mir, Javed Ahmed: Also known as "Nalka" since he came from family of plumbers. A leader of JKLF who has stayed in limelight since 1989. He was born in Srinagar in 1965. Pakistani infiltrators known as mujahideen, in large numbers had come to Kashmir about the same time. To commemorate that event the new born was named 'Mujahid Ahmed' by the parents. Later, he was renamed as Javed Ahmed. While still at school he participated in anti-government demonstrations. In a lathicharge by police once he received head injury. Because of it and also because his heart was not in studies, he left school. His father was an employee in the Water Supply Department and he got Javed a job in the same Department. However he was dismissed in 1988 because of his subversive activities.


In 1986 along with Yasin Malik and Ashfaq Majid Wani and others he formed Islamic Students League which confined itself to organising processions and staging demonstrations. In 1987 Assembly elections he worked for MUF candidate in Amirakadal constituency—Mohd. Yusuf Shah (later known as Syed Salaludin of HUM). He was defeated. After elections were over Javed was arrested. After 9 months detention he was released on parole. Soon he resumed his anti-government activities and because of this his parole was canceled. Instead of reporting to Police as required, he went underground. He crossed over to POK from Lassipora in Kupwara District accompanied by a guide who had been sent from Pakistan. He came back soon. But again in 1989 he went over to Pakistan to meet JKLF Chief, Amanullah Khan. Returning to Kashmir he helped to strengthen JKLF and was very active in winter of 1989-90 when militancy euphoria was at its peak. He was JKLF Area Commander for Srinagar.

When JKLF was reorganised on April 5,1990 he was made Incharge, Publicity. When Yasin Malik was arrested on August 6,1990, Javed was made Acting Chief. On December 15, 1992, he was named Party President. Till then he had made 7 trips to Pakistan since 1987. In June 1993 accompanied by two close confidantes Nazir and Altaf he flew from Delhi to Khatmandu on forged documents procured at Delhi. From there he flew to Karachi. From there he also travelled to Iran.

In the Hurriyat Executive Committee he represented the JKLF many times. In Kashmir he met may diplomats who came at different times. When US Asstt. Secretary of State, Ms Robin Raphael came to Kashmir in 1993, Javed presented JKLF point of view. In June 1993 ISI invited HUM's SalaJudin and Javed on behalf of JKLF to visit Pakistan for consultations and to end intergang war between the two groups. Javed returned to Kashmir in December 1993 after 7 month stay in Pakistan and tour of POK. Although he commended Pakistan for its support and assistance but felt that was for its own self-interest rather than for love of Kashmiris. He was critical of the lack of enthusiasm of Kashmiri masses. He also accused the "so-called Moslem countries of the world" of sitting as "mute witnesses" of what he described as "mass murder and rape of innocent Kashmiris", and called upon "the self-professed champions of democracy in the West, Bill Clinton and John Major to the rescue of Kashmiris since we have been let down by those who we considered to be our very own. We hold a grudge against those who pledged to support us, but have chosen to sit back and watch the tamasha, instead," he added. On March 12,1994 he was arrested in Srinagar by Security Forces. In January 1995 he went on hunger strike for 25 days in Cent-nil Jail, Jammu, in protest against alleged excesses in Kashmir by Security Forces. He was however, released on May 25,1995.


For defying prohibitory orders imposed in Srinagar, he was arrested on May 18,1997. He was released after 15 days detention.

Mir, Nissar Ahmed: A member of JKLF who stayed on with AmanuUah faction following the split in September 1995. The Muzaffarabad based General Secretary of AmanuUah faction, Haider Hijazi appointed him Convenor of the Party in Jammu region in early 1998. This was to revive and acrivise it in Jammu region. With 6 other party functionaries he was having a meeting in a hideout in Faisalabad village in Surankote area of Poonch District on June 23,1998 when they were surrounded by Security Forces. Mir was killed with 6 others including Sajjad, Commander of the area.

Mir, Basharat Ahmed: Alias Sikander Khan. Comes from Gogal, Lolab, of Kupwara District. He was trained in Pakistan. He was Battalion Commander of Al Burq outfit in 1998.

Mir, Mohd. Yusuf: Alias "Sharief-ud-Din". Till he deserted and joined militant ranks in 1989 he was a constable in Police for more than 3 years. He became one of the founder members of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. He was outfit master planner and a strategist. He rose to become HUM Divisional Commander of South Kashmir. He and another militant were hiding in a house in a village near Bijbehara town when Security Forces cordoned off the house. In the encounter on February 23,1991, Mir was killed while the other militant succumbed to injuries, later.

Misgar, Mohd. Shaffi: An activist of JKLF. In 1995 he was an alternate representative on the APHC Executive Committee. On May 3, , 1995 he was made a member of 3 man Press cell of JKLF (Malik faction), i

Miraj, Syed Muzzaf an A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. In 1993, he was made Military Advisor of the Group. After Daribal incident in which 4 persons were killed, he had given call for strike and protest processions. On August 6,1993 he thanked people of area for expressing solidarity with Ikhwan by being on strike for 5 days.

Mohd. Azim: A member of JKLF. When the Party split in September 1995, he went over to Shabir Sidiqui faction owing allegiance to AmanuUah Khan. He was holed up in Hazaratbal Shrine alongwith Shabir Sidiqui in third week of March 1996.

Mohammed, Ali: Alias "Munshi". He was Divisional Administrator of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in 1994. On February 13, 1995 he was arrested by Security Forces.

Mohammed, Noon Alias "Bitta Kassai". An old hand of Hizbullah. He was promoted Regimental Commander in early 1993. In an encounter with BSF on December 5,1993, he was killed.

Mohammed, Gulam: Alias "Usman Ali". A Zonal Commander of ' the Jammu Provincial unit of Muslim Janbaz Force in 1995. He was one of 14 activists of the Party who on February 27, 1996 announced that

336 Kttshmir I huh'inivuml

they would give up gun and opt for dialogue wilh Delhi and follow their leader, Babar Badr.

Mohammed Bin Qasim: The youngest detenue of the militancy. I le is son of Ms Asiya Andrabi, the fiery Chief or Dukhtaran-i-Millat When he was 5 months old on February 5,1993, his mother was arrested at Srinagar airport on arrival from Delhi. The suckling child could not be separated so he went to jail with his mother. He came out of jail on February 21,1994, when his mother was released.

Mohidin, Ghulam: A senior member of Muslim Mujahideen. A Deputy of the Chief, Master Ahsan Dar. He was also outfit's Financial Chief. He was arrested on December 19,1993 from a Srinagar hideout, alongwith his leader Ahsan Dar.

• Mohidin, Malik: Born in 1936. Did his LLB torn Aligarh in 1958. Became an active member of Plebiscite Front. He was jailed many times. Later joined National Conference and still later, Congress on whose ticket he was elected to Legislative Assembly in 1977. Soon after, he was elected Speaker. After his term was over, he started practice in J&K High Court. On December 20,1993 he was arrested. He was alleged to have been the conduit for bringing in from Delhi large sums of illegal money for Master' Ahsanullah and use by Moslem Mujahideen. The money was alleged to have been transferred through hawala, from foreign countries.

Malta, Afzal Ahmed: An activist of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. L ater he became its Financial Controller. Alongwith Mohd. Ramzan Sofi, Chief Commander JUM and 3 others Matta was arrested on September 11, 1993.

Musa, ^General": Real name: Abdul Aziz Dar—a taxi Driver. A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was trained in Pakistan. In 1991 he was named Patron. He was arrested on September 23,1991 and detained under TADA. He was released after 3 months, on bail by Court. He went underground to coordinate Hizb activities with other groups. He was however, arrested. He was produced in TADA Court in November 1997'and again in March 1998. Later he was sent to hospital for treatment.

He reacted strongly to a recent killing of nonmoslem civilians in Srinagar. On May 17,1998 in a statement he condemned the killing and asked the Moslems to condem it strongly. He said it was duty of all moslems especially militants to protect them. He demanded stringent punishment for the culpurits after they were identified.

Mukhtar, Uman He is a member ot Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. In its reorganisation announced on July 8,1995, he was made Commander of Srinagar District. He was also made a member of 3-man Committee set up on February 29,1996, to look into grievances and complaints of people in general and, to help in their redressal.

Player* ami Captains 337

Murtaza, Syed Khalid: A veteran militant who was one of first members of Hizbullah group. On its reorganisation on October 3,1992, he was made Deputy Chief.

Mushtaq-ul-Islam: See Islam, Musbtaq-ul-Magrey, Abdul Majeed: Better known as "Junaid". A police deserter

who in 1990 joined recently formed Al Jihadia Commandos. When it merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on May 5,1991, he was made Chief of Operations on the National Highway. He earmed a name in January 1992 when he conducted several attacks on Security Forces vechieles on National Highway during BJP leader M.M. Joshi's Yatra. Later, in 1993 he "imposed" curfew on the Highway to stall the Amarnath Yatra.

Junaid was close to Mamoon Rashid who was considered brain behind blasts in Police Headquarters in Srinagar on January 24,1992. In an encounter with Rashtriya Rifles in Hanjipor village in Anantnag District, he was killed on April 2,1996.

Moghlu, Altaf Ahmed: An active Group Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. On June 28,1995 he was killed in an encounter with BSF in downtown Srinagar. His outfit however claimed that he was killed in custody.

Mohammed, Noon Alias "Noora". A police deserter who first joind Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and later went over to Harkut-ul-Ansar, where he rose to be the Doda District Commander in 1996. He was alleged to be involved in 1994 killings of bus passengers in Kishtwar and also in killing of 8 BSF jawans in 1995, in Thatri area of Doda District.

Mehrajudin: Alias "Usman". In 1992 he was made JKLF District Commander in Srinagar. In an encounter with Security Forces at Bemina near Srinagar on Apirl 12,1993 he was killed.

Mirza, Muzaffan Alias Asghar. A member of Jamait-u-Mujahideen. In 1993 he was made Military Advisor. While he was confering with his Chief and others in hideout in Srinagar, the BSF raided it and arrested him on September 10,1993.

Mir, Gulam Rasul: Alias Tariq alias Aamir Sohail. Belongs to Jamait-ul-Mujahideen and operated mostly in Kupwara District and Srinagar. In early 1996 he was. Acting Chief Commander of JUM. He was killed during search operation in Baramulla District by J&K Police SOG on July 20,1996.

Mir, Hilal Ahmed : Alias Nasar-ul-Islafn. See Islam Mannas, Dawood: An active member in Doda District of Harkat-

ul-Ansar He was involved in many attacks on security forces and was wanted by police since 1992. On January 15,1995 he took part in massacre of 15 members of minority community at Barshalla (Doda). And in June 1996 he was involved in killing of 8 persons at Kalmadi. On May

33K Kashmir Uiitivr^round

U), ICW In.1 and hitf associate Qari Zarar were killed in an encounter with SOG in Gandoh area of Bhadarwah in Doda District.

Mir, Bashir Ahmed: Alias "Shabir" - A senior activist of Hizb-ul-Mujaliideen. Had taken part in some daring actions before being promoted as "Latfuchmg Chief" in Y5%. Vie evaded arrest for many months but on August 13,1997 he was arrested by Field Intelligence Uriit of J&K CID from a hideout. At one time he was HUM incharge of weaponary.

Mir, Assdullah: Alias Moulvi Munir Hussain. Alias "General Abdullah". Alias Shaheen Afaquee. Also known as Shahid. A resident of Ganderbal area- Was an early entrant in the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Because he participated in many actions successfully he was made a Divisional Commander. He raised lots of funds for HUM.

He was arrested in 1993 and released in 1995 after 2 years detention under PSA. In early 1997 he was named head of the militants alliance -Shoore-e-Jehad. In this capacity he organised many hartals in Srinagar and other towns of Kashmir. In an encounter wit SOG, he was killed on July 7,1997. Shoofa-e-Jehad alleged it was custodial death after torture.

He was an employee of Kashmir University, and continued to draw his salary while being a member of an outlawed organisation.

Mirza, Muzaffar Ahmed : Also known as "Asghar" and "Afzal". Alias "Aabid". A senior member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested on September 10,1993 when he was Military Advisor. In early 1997 he was promoted as its Incharge of Finances, Publicity and Vavmchmg. SOG of Kashmir PcAice arrested him ixiSrinagar on )xme \% 1997.

He was a supervisor in the Govt. Cooperative Department, and continued to draw his salary even when he was underground.

Muvassan A Pakistani national from Sialkot area. He crossed over from Pakistan in 1997. After familiarising himself with areas and sensitive locations he went back to Pakistan in December, 1997. In first week of February 1998 he crossed over again and was apprehended. The interrogation led to recovery of hidden arms which were to be used for some killings.

Malik, Maqsood : Alias 'Aijaz Saleem: An active member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who had many exploits to his credit. In 1996 he was appointed Coordinator of Operations & Adminstration in South Kashmir. He was also overseeing the main Wireless Communication Station of the outfit. On January 27, 1997 in an encounter with Security Forces, alongwith 3 others, Malik was killed.

Malik, Bashir Ahmed: Code name 'Iftikhar'. A reliable and experienced member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. After spending over two years in Kashmir Valley he was made the 'Provincial Commander' and

Players and Captains * 339

put incharge of Doda operations in 1997. When ISI decided to unify the operational command of 3 outfits, Malik not agreeing to it, was sidelined.

Malik, Abdul: Alias Abu Waqas. A Pakistan national from Sind. A trained militant of Lashkar-i-Toiba who was sent to Kashmir for operations in South Kashmir in early 1998. In an encounter with Security Forces in Shopian on July 16, 1998 he was killed with Ms accomplice Mohd. Tariq.

Mir, Hilal Ahmed: A District Commander of Al Umar. He was apprehended in Srinagar by Police on November 5,1992.

Malik, Mohd. Abbas: Alias 'Abbas Bengali'. He joined Al Jehad outfit in 1990. He surrendered in 1993. He soon escaped and joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. For few years he was involved in many killings and was made Coy. Commander in 1997. Soon he was arrested but managed to escape by jumping into a river while being transported to a prison. Thereafter he joined the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen where he became battalion commander. He took a member of Ikhwan as hostage. The police got the hostage released and in that shootout Abbas was killed near Anantnag town on February 22,1999.

Malik, Ghulam Mohd.: Alias "Saddam". Trained in Pakistan he was a member of "Allah Tigers". In early 1993 he was named a District Commander. In October 1993 he with two associates took refuge in the Kashmir University Campus at Hazratbal. On October 11,1993 all the 3 were arrested by Kashmir Police.

Majid, Abdul: Alias "Khalid Gibran". A veteran militant. He was one of the first to pin Ai Burq when it was formed in early 2 990. He rose quickly and in early 1993 was made Chief Commander. In exchange of fire with Security Forces, he was killed on October 15, 1993 near Handwara alongwith 3 others including an Afgan national Abdul Sattar.

Magrey, Nazir Ahmed: Originally member of Students Liberation Front. Later became part of Ikhwan-uI-Musalmeen. In early 1993, he was promoted to be Group's Military Advisor. On May 28,1993 he was killed in an encounter with Security Forces.

Maqbool, Shahid: A Pakistan born Kashmiri. Well trained in Afghanistan in handling of sophisticated arms. When Pakistan decided to set up in Kashmir a branch of Harkat-ul-Jehad-i-Islami (International) HUJI, the ISI chose Maqbool to head it in 1993.

Malik, Aslam: A militant of note, who became a member of Moslem Janbaz Force early. Because of his exploits, by middle of 1995, he had become its Chief.

Malik, Mohd. Yaseen: Chairman of JKLF(M). He was born in 1966 in Srinagar in a lower middle class family. At young age he was subjected to political happenings all round. In 198f> alongwith 5 others be founded the J&K Islamic Students League. He took part in protest nuetingsand


demonstrations against the Administration..He was twice arrested. In 1987 Assembly elections, he campaigned for MUF candidates. Later, he was jailed for illegal activities. He was released after elections. Soon after he joined JKLF. In May 1986 he crossed the LOC and in Pakistan received arms training. After 6 weeks he came back to the Valley, along with a group of trained youth.

In September 1988 this group attacked the residence of DIG Police, Ali Mohd. Watali in which one of them, Aijaz Ahmed Dar was killed by security guards. Police rounded some members of the group. Malik with some others went over to POK and returned only in February 1989.

In December 1989 he was alleged to be part of conspiracy to abduct Dr. Rubiya Saved, daughter of Indian Home. Minister, Mufti Mohd. Sayed. When the plan succeeded and 5 senior activists of JKLF were got released in exchange for Rubiya Sayeed, Malik rode the crest of popularity and was much sought after.

With 3 others he was holding a meeting in a house on April 8,1990. The house was surrounded by Security Forces and the inmates were asked to surrender. Three others got arrested but Malik jumped out of the window in'an attempt to escape. He was injured and was removed to hospital by Police. With help of local doctors Malik was able to escape from the hospital.

In the party reorganisation that was announced on April 10, 1990, Malik was made Chief Commander for Kashmir, Four months later he was holding a meeting with his colleagues in a house at Burzala, Srinagar when he was arrested alongwifh his Deputy, Abdul Hamid Sheikh and Commander for Jammu Region, Kaka Hussain on August 6,1990.

During his 4 years detention, he was lodged in Tihar jail Delhi, Central jail, Agra; Special jail at Mehrauli, Delhi; Central Jail, Jammu. Once he had to be shifted to All India Medical Institute New Delhi, where he underwent heart surgery in April 1992. Later he suffered couple of strokes. From Central Jail, Agra, he sent a detailed Memorandum in-April 1991, to the Tribunal set up to review the Government Order of April 16,1990 declaring as illegal, JKLF, challenging the Government Order. ^

While he was detained in special jail in Mehrauli, Delhi, on February 2,1993 he threatened to go on indefinite hunger strike from Febraury 11, 1993 to protest againstalleged " reign of terror let loose by security forces in Kashmir". He sent a letter to the Prime Minister P.V. Narsimha Rao, in which among things he said," it is unfortunate that Gandhi's succssors have maligned the sanctity of the great man's philosophy which leaches respect for basic human values, irrespective of caste, religion or nationality." He further said that while British produced only one General Dyer who massacred thousands of freedom fighters, "in |ammu and


Kashmir we had ;hundreds of General Dyers who indulge in brute killings of men, women and children only because they are asking for their right to govern their own country."

On May 19,1993, Yasin and 11 others were produced before the TADA designated court at Jammu for the first time since his arrest on August 6 1990. The CBI and the State Police had produced challans charging Yasin and others allegedly being involved with:

(a) Killing of Ajay Kumar Kapoor on December 1,1989 (b) Killing of Syedullah, SHO, Maisuma, on December 1, 1989 (c) Killing of Abdul Rashid Malik, on November 16, 1989 (d) Abduction of Dr. Rubiya Sayed, on December 8,1989 (e) Killing of one BSF jawan on Febraury 2,1990 (f) Killing of VK Razdan, IB official, on Febraury 12,1990 (g) Killing of 4 IAF personnel, on January 25, 1990 (h) Killing of CRPF jawan,on March 3,1990 (i) Exploding of bombs in Post Office on February 28,1990 (j) Killing of Prof. Mushiral Haq, on April 10,1990

(k) Killing of Mohd. Sharif Dar, on March 5, 1990 Yasin, however challenged registration of cases under TADA against

him and his associates. According to him the cases against him were politically motivated and were not criminal charges against him. He alleged that all those demanding independence in J&K State, were being branded as terrorists.

After his health improved he was flown from Delhi to Jammu on September 16, 1993 and produced in TADA court, next day. He was facing charges in about a dozen cases. His counsel presented application of bail on health grounds. In the court talking to media he ruled out return to pre-1953 position in Kashmir, as a possible solution. "It is no use digging the past because such experiments have already failed. We believe in the pre- partition status of entire Jammu & Kashmir State" he said.

Because of his ill-health, the designated TADA court at Jammu on October 11,1993 released him on bail.

While in detention he went on hunger strike from December 10,1993. A case of attempt to commit suicide was registered against him.

On the orders of the Supreme Court, Malik was released on bail on May 17,1994 from Sub-Jail, Mehrauli, Delhi. He returned to Srinagar on May 18,1994 and on arrival was given a rousing reception. On reaching his residence at Maisuma, while addressing the gathering, because of exhaustion, he collapsed.

In June 1994 he went on indefinite fast to protest against entry of criminal elements into JKI.F and other militant outfits. After 3 days of

342 ; Kashmir Underground

confabulations, senior secessionist leaders assured him of taking action against criminal elements, in next 4 weeks. He broke his fast on June 4, 1994. Hurriyat leaders described his fast as un-Islamic while some militant groups accused him of playing Indian game to weaken the on going movement. ' ;'/l'

In 1995 differences ^'developed between him and JKLF Chairman Amanullah Kkan (based in Pakistan). Khan expelled Yasin from the organisation on September 21,1995. Malik after consulting his colleagues in Srinagar, expelled Amanullah Khan from JKLF.

With 6 others Hurriyat leaders on April 18,1996, Malik participated in March to Badami Bagh Contonment in Srinagar to ask Indian Army to quit Kashmir. Alongwith others he ws arrested but released in the

: .evening. ,t In May 1997 he went to Delhi-to meet "some like-minded persons".

On May 12, he decided to sit at Jantar-Mantar Park, on an indefinite fast to demand that Human Rights organisations and representatives of Indian NGOs should immediately visit Kashmir and investigate alleged violations of human rights by the Security Forces. Soon he was joined by four APHC leaders—2 from Kashmir and two from Jammu. Next day his condition deteriorated because he refused to take even water or medicine. He was visited by former Union Ministers George Fernandes and Subodh Kant Sahay. On lafe evening of May 14, he was arrested and lodged in Tihar Jail, after his condition deteriorated further.

The Citizens for Democracy Chairman, Kuldip Nayar on May 15, announced that this human rights group would send to Kashmir a 7-member delegation in response to Malik's request. Malik broke his fast late in the evening after assurances had been secured by Kuldip Nayar from the Union Home Minister that no one involved in human rights abuses would be shielded.

In July 1998 he was invited to Hyderabad to participate in the State Conference of "Telangana Jana Sabha"—an organisation pursuing the cause of separate Telangana state. Speaking there on July 5 he had said that determination of people of Kashmir has kept the movement alive all these 50 years despite heavy repression by successive governments. According tojaim Government was spending Rs 30 crores a day on security in Kashmir. He said no solution of Kashmir problem would be possible without involvement of true representatives of Kashmiri people.

The APHC had reacted strongly when Peoples War Group (PWG) was banned by Andhra Pradesh Government in 1996. In a statement on July 26, 1996' APHC had stated, "It was reimposed after PWG had publicly supported our demand for right of self-determination". PWG had invited Hurriyn' leaders to Hyderabad and they participated in PWG seminars and rallies.


The AP Government grew apprehensive of close links being forged between the Telangana Jana Sabha and Hurriyat Conference of Kashmir. Malik and two other Hurriyat leaders had visited Hyderabad in recent months. Newspapers published from Hyderabad severely criticised Malik for "interference in AP politics" after Malik declared, "We, tine people of Kashmir, are with you in your fight for separate Telengana State*''.

The Presiding officer of the TADA Court, Jammu on October 5,1998 extended Malik's bail for 3 more months. He presented himself in the Court in cases investigated and challaned by CBI. His colleague Showkat Bakshi was also produced by police before the Court.

He reacted sharply to Pakistan's claim that while dealing with India, she represented Kashmiris. On November 11,1998 at Delhi he told Press that Pakistan had no locus standi to negotiate on behalf of Kashmiris as it is nobody's property. "We Kashmiris are mature enough to discuss our own future" he asserted, According to him "Pakistan should refrain from deciding on behalf of Kashmiris as the people of Jammu & Kashmir are the final deciding factor when the question of dispensation of Kashmir comes." He also asked Pakistan to hand over Gilgit, Baltistan and Hunza to Kashmir because this area belongs to Kashmir and nobody could just walk away with it. The so-called constitution of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir prohibits anybody from demanding anything except accession of Jammu & Kashmir with Pakistan. "We will never bow before the dictates of Pakistan, come what may", he said.

Mudasir, Abdul: Also known as Abu Mudasar. A militant belonging to the elite group of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. By 1997 he had climbed many rungs and was made a District Commander of areas around Sopore. In an encounter with Security Forces in a village near Sopore on November 28, 1997 he was killed. Two other militants both foreign mercenaries were also killed. They were identified as Umar Zaman of HUM and Abu Kitoda of Laskar-e-Toiba.

Malik, Hanief: A resident" of Darhal in Rajouri District. He was trained in subversion and collection of military intelligence by ISI Col. Sayeed at Kotli (POK).Along with an accomplice Maqsood, he was infiltrated into Rajouri in November 1997. With some arms they were to surrender, win over confidence of the authorities, collect intelligence and pass it over to Pakistan. Before the plan could be put into action, Malik who was designated as Rajouri District Commander of Tehrik-i-Jehad. he was arrested by State Police on December 15,1997. A good n imber of arms and explosives were recovered at his instance.

Malik, Nazir Ahmed: A resident of Chadora in Bud gam. He was a , daring member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and soon became a close associate of Khalid-i-Sani, Budgam District Commander in 1997. He participated in many actions. f lis most daring act was infiltrating into an Army Camp


in Bagh-e-Mehtab locality of Srinagar in 1995 and slitting throats ol 5 helpers and a pregnant woman, wife of n person he wanted to settle scores with, l l ie Police arrested him from a Badgam village on March 5, 1998, where he was hiding.

Muzaffar, Raja: A senior leader of JKLF. Operates mostly out of Pakistan. In 1994 he was made Sr. Vice-President of JKLF. Since entry of Chairman Amanullah Khan, was banned into USA and UK, Raja traveled abroad and met political leaders to inform then of ongoing movement in Kashmir.

Murtaza, Khalid: A Pakistan national who was an important leader of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen set-up across the LOG. On May 2, 1993 he infiltrated into Kashmir Valley and took part in few encounters with Security Forces. He was able go back to Pakistan on June 1,1993.

Muzamil: Alias Mohd. Yousuf. See "Yusuf". Mangloo, Abdul Salam: A hardcore militant of Al Jehad outfit. In

1997 he was deputed to kill political leaders and important citizens in Jammu. Before he could act he was arrested on September 20,1997 at Jammu. During interrogation he revealed that he was involved in many killing in Anantnag District, earlier.

Mustafa, Bilal: Son of Mir Mustafa, first former MLA who was killed by HUM militants in March 1990. Bilal was lured into joining militant ranks in 1991. He became part of Al Jehad and soon was made its "Military Advisor". In March 1992 in an operation in Lasjan Village he was killed by BSF. The local population and Al Jehad described it as "Shahdat for Islam"—Martyrdom for Islam.

Magrey, RiyaZ Ahmed: Alias 'Umar'. Resident of Hyderpora near Srinagar Airport. In 1997 he was made Deputy Chief of J&K Islamic Front (JKIF). He was arrested on June 1, 1998. He confessed to police that he as involved in chanelling of foreign funds for militant groups into Kashmir through hawala operations.

Majid, Abdul: Alias 'Usman Majid'—Belongs to Bandipore. Mota, Ahmed Azad: A member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In early

1993 he was made Srinagar District Finance Incharge. Alongwith 2 other JUM members he was arrested by BSF on September 10,1993.

MunshL Javed Ahmed: Alias Nasir Ahmed Bhat. He was Srinagar District Commander of Tehariq-ul-Mujahideen. He was sent to Delhi in March 1999 to carry out blasts in crowded area during Ram Naumi celebration in last week of March. The alert Delhi Police arrested him on March 23, 1999 and recovered from him 1 kg RDX and 5 electronic detonators.

Malik, Mohd. Afzal: A JKLF veteran. Early in 1992 he was promoted as Vice-Chief of JKLF. Soon after the Security Forces launched their "Operation Tiger". Malik was killed in September 1992.


Mufti, Bashir-ud-Din: Mufti-i-Azam of Kashmir. Normally a non-political being. At one stage militants were able to put pressure on him and he was made to issue a statement as required by them. On October 24,1993 he sent an appeal to UN General Secretary and to Heads of all Commonwealth Countries "to intervene and to stop human rights violations, custodial deaths and genocide in Kashmir".

Mir, Ghulam Ahmed: Alias 'Gulshan Abbas' alias All He was Chief -of Hizb-ul-Momineen—a Shia outfit. On a visit to Delhi in 1995 he was arrested by Delhi Police. He was detained till April 1997 when he was released in Kashmir. While in detention, on February 1996, he had issued a statement threatening USA to attack its missions around the world if it , "persisted in its diabolical plans against the Islamic Revolution in Iran" and Islamic world as a whole.

In 1998 his colleagues and he were trying to regroup when on July 23 he was arrested with others by a BSF party.

Makhdoomi, Peerzada Hafizullah: While still a student he joined newly floated Political Conference in June 1953. Soon after he was arrested. For sometime he was associated with J&K Plebiscite Front. Between 1953 and 1980 he was jailed 5 times. When the J&K Peoples Conference was founded by Abdul Ghani Lone, he joined it. Later, he was appointed its General Secretary.

Nabi, Hakim Ghulam: A senior member of Jamait-i-Islami. He was its Amir (Chief) in 1993. He was arrested on November 27,1993.

Naikoo, Ghulam Mohd.: A member of Moslem Conference. An old guard of the secessionist movement In middle of 1993 some senior activists decided to work politically also and formed Peoples Political Front an overground organisation, Naikoo was made its General Secretary.

Najaar, Ghulam Qadin Alias "Saleem Afghani". A member of good standing of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In 1993 he was made Badgam District Commander. On March 30,1994 he was arrested by BSF.

Najam-us-Saqib: When a new outfit "Kashmir Army Force" KAF was formed by ISI, he was made its Chief. When 10 groups merged to form Al Mujahidi Force, Najam was made its Chairman. He formerly was Chief of Kashmir Army Force (K-2).

Nasir, Abran A former militant. Was made General Secretary of a newly formed political group under the banner of Islam Students League. He was earlier General Secretary of Peoples' League (Rehmani Group).

Nasir-ul-Islam: Real name Hilal Ahmed Mir. In early Eighties he had helped to form Ansar-uI-Islam. In 1990 this was merged with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. When that was formed by Master Ahsan Dar and others. He was made Chief of its Youth Wing. In 1993 he had disclosed that

346 Kashmir UmU'r$wuuii

Ansar- ul-Islam had started armed training of Kashmiri youth from early 1980s.

On June 29,1991 he allegedly kidnapped Kashmir Director of Food and Supplies, Mohd. Iman Khan. For sometime he headed a breakaway group of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen called "Islam Ka Fauji Baazoo". He felt all along that Kashmir's future lay only in Pakistan. According to him, "a fundamentalist is a real Moslem. Our mission is to Islamize the whole universe as God has ordered us". He was soon made Chief Commander of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen, which was new name of HM's Youth Wing. On March 13,1993, In an encounter with Security Forces, he was killed though his colleagues claimed he was shot and his body thrown away. Till 1990 he was working in Rural Development Department, when Governor Jagmohan terminated his services for subversive activities.

Nasreen, Nahida: A leading woman secessionist. She is General Secretary of Dukhtran-i-Millat, an outfit of militant women. A close aide of Ms. Asiya Andrabi.

Nayeem-ul-Haq: A senior militant. Was one of the earliest to join Al . Umar Mujahideen. When Chief Commander Riyaz Ahmed Khan was killed on December 16,1992, Nayeem was made new Chief. Oil February 1, 1993 he told newsmen he was against violence and would prefer a political solution of Kashmir issue.

Noor-ul-Hassan: A veteran militant. Member of Al Burq. He was made Deputy Chief in 1992. Soon after he was arrested by BSF. While in custody he died of kidney failure, which was disputed by the outfit.

Noor-ul-Hassan, Syed*. A former Chief Conservator of Forests. A leading Human Rights activist. He has been associated with some Kashmir based Human Rights Protection bodies. To air the alleged human rights abuses in Kashmir, he traveled to Geneva to represent an NGO at the annual meeting of the UN Human Rights Commission. In 1994 he was made Chairman of J&K Human Rights Committee. He participated in Kashmir Conference organised by US Institute of Peace in New York on January 12-14,1994.

Nasir, Hamid: An active member of JKLF. When the Party split in September 1995, he sided with Yasin Malik. In the reorganisation effected on May 3,1995, he was nominated on 3-member Press Cell.

Naseem, Abdul Ghani: He was made Spokesman of the JKLF (Sidiqi) in March 1996. On March 26,1996 he tmVK>ui\ced tt\at agreement had been reached with Government and that Party President Shabir Ahmed Sidiqui and others had agreed to leave the Hazratbal Shrine, which they had forcibly entered two days earlier. Later he joined the National Conference. I le successfully contested elections in September 1996 from Khan Sahib constituency of Budgam District.


Noor-ul-Amin: Alias "Umar Jan". Also known as "Sunni". In June 90 he had joined Allah Tigers, motivated by its Chief Commander, Abdul Majid Wani alias, Ghazi Illyas. Two years later he switched over to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. During elections in 1996 he issued many threats asking leaders and government employees not to participate. Early in February 1998 he was arrested by Police from Srinagar.

Najar, Ghulam Mohidin: Alias 'Naseer'. An active member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen who became its Ameer-e-Aala in 1997. The State

• Police's SOG arrested him in Srinagar on October 28,1997. Nabdi, Fayaz: See Ahmed, Fayaz. Naba Azad: Real name Ghulam NabI Azad—See Azad. Noor-ud-Din: A Section Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for

Kishtwar in Doda District. He was arrested on February 21,1996 after a short encounter with Security Forces in village Nagin, close to Kishtwar town.

Nana Ji: Real name Mohd. Rafi—See Rafi. Nassarullah: A foreign militant who crossed over from POK in early

1997 and soon was made Commander of Rajouri-Poonch Districts for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In an encounter on July 11,1997, he was killed.

Naseeib-ud-Din, Ghazi: See Ghazi, Naseeb-ud-din. Nasir, Abdullah: In June 1998 he surfaced as the Deputy Chief of

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In a statement following the Indian and Pakistani nuclear tests, he asked India to give up its "stubborn attitude towards Kashmir to prevent your own disintegration".

Najar, Abdul Rasheed: Alias 'Lala' alias 'MaqbooP. Comes from the Budgam District. A senior member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He rose to be a Commander in 1997. In November 1997 he accompanied two others to Delhi to arrange for a 'winter hideout'. Before he could do that he was arrested by Delhi Police in third week November 1997.

Nasibudin: Alias 'William'. An Iranian national from Tehran. He was a sharpshooter having received special training. He was one of group of 15 mercenaries who were infiltrated from POK into Kupwara District, in second week of August 1998. The group took refuge in Jagarpora village where the Armymen engaged then on August 11,1998. He was one of 15 militants killed.

Owais, 'Gen.': Originally from Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. When a splinter group separated and formed the Jammu & Kashmir Ikhwan, he was made Deputy Chief Commander in 1996.

Pervez, Anwar Connected with 'Allah Tigers'. In October 199], he was made Incharge of Publicity.


Parray, Mohd. Yusuf: Better know as "Kukka Parray" Code name was 'Jamshed Shirazi'. He comes from Village Hajan on left bank of Jehlum river, in Baramulla District. Born in 1958, he has had little formal education. In his youth be was a popular singer and a folk dancer. He also writes poetry in Kashmiri. He drifted into militancy and became an activist of JKLF in 1989. He went cross to POK for arms training. Later he moved over to Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. Due to differences with Ikhwan leadership, he left the group. With a bunch of likeminded persons and "3 guns I started my Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. Today I have thousands". His Ikhwan came into being around Hajan is spring of 1995 and he was as made its Chief. In March 1996 he revealed that fascinated by a call for Jehad, he picked up the gun in 1989, under the banner of Students Liberation Front and was active till about 1994. He was disappointed with the activities of different groups which were far away from the real objective. He also saw through the Pakistani game of destroying Kashmir and Kashmiriyat. He made up his mind to end Pakistan sponsored terrorism in Kashmir, ensure return of peace and normalcy and return of non-moslem population. His Ire was directed against the Jamait-i-Islami and the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen "who forbade all the practices and customs dear to Kashmiris". Parray says it with a frown, "you can never trust these rats. Scores of then come to me with promise of having turned a new leaf in their lives, but I know how false these promises are".

In July 1995, his men abducted 4 scribes; two out of them, were released next day. Parray announced that they would be released only if he was assured by Srinagar press that his organisation would receive due space in the media. 42 presspersons traveled to Hajan next day to give the assurance, personally. He told the presspersons that Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and Jamait-uHslami "dubbed everybody else as a traitor and infidel and our organisation was not spared. 70% of my activists were killed by them, and their property snatched". However, he claimed that he enjoyed popular support and asserted "future is ours". He alleged that local press was allied to Jamait-i-Islami and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. There is little difference between the editors and the HUM and the Jamait; journalist are writing posters and pamphlets for them".

To allegations that his men are engaged in illegal timber trade, he owns' that it is so but then "how do I sustain my cadres. It costs Rs 4000/ - to Rs 5000/-, per month, to maintain each man and I have over 8000 of them. We are not being paid by Pakistan like others". He also denies charges of extortion but admits that he gets his funds from seizure of money sent by ISl into Kashmir for subversive activities. "In one raid, we seized about 1000 gold biscuits, Rs 20 lac in cash and 600 packets of brown sugar from the house of a Inmait lender, who was working actively for the Lashkar-i-Toiba—a group of foreign mercenaries. The brown


sugar was destroyed in presence of villagers. He also claimed to have recovered stolen property to run his outfit.'Recently he recovered Rs 8 lac cash, lot of gold jewellery and 200 qtls, of G. I. Sheets. "I get the money I need from my supporters" he added. Once in a while he holds a Robin Hood-like meeting where he distributes cash and clothes to victims of militancy like widows and orphan children.

In February 1996 he started an Urdu newspaper as party's official organ. It is titled "Tehreek-i-Kashmir"—the Kashmir Movement. In March 1996, he also published a collection of poems in Kashmiri, entitled "Jam-i-Jam". It reflects blend of romanticism and Sufism, so dominant in him.

At a press conference in Jammu on March 23,1996 he demanded setting up of a high level Commission of Inquiry under a Supreme Court Judge to probe various hawala and other rackets which have helped terrorism in developing into a "profitable industry in Kashmir". He expressed concern about the plight of Kashmiri Pandits after their exodus from Kashmir Valley. He said he would help create conditions in Kashmir for their honourable return and accord them security and protection. For this to become possible he wanted the Government to undertake expeditiously the work of vacation of Kashmiri Pandit houses from unauthorised occupants and their reconstruction in cases of destruction by arson. He said he stood for "revival of peace, involvement of people in the peace process, establishment of authority of Government and making it accountable". About his decision to part icipate in Parliamentary elections he said one principal reason was to tell Palcistan that things can be done in Kashmir even against its wishes.

On March 31,1996 addressing Kashmiri migrants at Nagrota (near Jammu) he announced launching of "Kashmir Bachao-Bharat Bachao"— "Save Kashmir—Save India—movement whose important objectives would be to eliminate gun culture, restore peace and normalcy, return of migrants to their homes and restoration of real Kashmiriyat.

He patronised establishment of Awami League—as a political wing of his Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon, under his Deputy, Ansar-ul-Haq in March-April 1996. The Awami League put up 4 candidates for Parliamentary elections in May 1996. For contest Parray chose Srinagar, BaramuIIa, Anantnag and Poonch-Jammu constituencies. The candidates proposed were two former militants, a Kashmiri Pandit and a Dogra.

To surprise of many he declared on April 21,1996 that given a free hand, in three months he would liberate POK and reunite it with Kashmir Valley. In. a statement he said his group with support of people, was a position to meet Pakistan ISI's challenge in Kashmir.

Rather sadly he recalls the days of his involvement with armed insurgency," sometime in 1992 fiftytwo villages in Banayari area were


cordoned off by Security Forces to apprehend him" but because of cooperation of people he could not be arrested." Later, he spent about 9 months in Wular lake area, he added.

In Delhi in summer of 1996, Parray reminiscensed that lack of formal education like large number of Kashmiris he too was swayed by the powerful propaganda from across the border, motivation by ISI trained militants and the respect the gun-wielding men commanded in Kashmir then, made him join the underground. With others he went over to Pakistan where he was trained in use of sophisticated arms and in subversion. He came back to Kashmir in end of 1990 and helped to start Ikhwan-ul-Mus almeen.

Soon he felt uncomfortable because of domination of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Some of his Ikhwan colleagues were killed by Hizb activists. When Ikhwan Patron, Dr. Qazi Nissar Ahmed, was killed, Parray was fully disenchanted. This feeling got compounded when the Shrine of Charar-I-Sharief was burnt down by militants. He decided to subdue armed militants and end gun culture.

By and large, due to his leadership of the Ikhwan, the level of militancy in Kashmir could be brought down to controlable limits. Because of this, it became possible to hold elections in 1996.

He decided to contest the Sonawari seat in Legislative Assembly as candidate of Awami League - Ikhwan's political wing. Before polling in September 1996 he toured Jammu. He visited Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine on September 15,1996. He told a public meeting at Katra after visiting the Shrine that he had gone to seek blessings of the Goddess for success of his mission to spread peace and love.

He won the Assembly election from Sonawari - his home constituency - handsomely. From a folk singer, to an armed insurgent, to a peace crusader, to a legislator, was a tortuous and eventful journey for Jamshed Yusuf Kukka Parray.

In his maiden speech as MLA in the Assembly on October 25,1996 Parray expressed regret that no member of the House had uttered a word of praise to those men of his outfit who had stood up against the cult of gun, sacrificed their lives and made elections possible. He described "these brave men" as "Mujahid-i-Azams" of Jammu & Kashmir. He asserted that elected government had become possible because of hard work of his men who had courage and conviction. He paid tribute to his men killed while "fighting ISI, Pakistanis, Afghanis and Sudanese". He said, they died to "restore normalcy, protect the Indian soverignity on Jammu & Kashmir, foregone luxuries of the life leaving behind widows and orphans in their families".

He claimed that he had travelled to Delhi to persuade Dr. Farooq Abdullah to get back to political field. While offering full cooperation to


the Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Parray warned him of Pakistan agents in the State machinery. He alleged that there were a large number of police officers, engineers and teachers whom he described as "stooges of Pakistan". He offered to identify each one of them if the Chief Minister agreed to eliminate them. He claimed militancy could be ended in a few months.

In January 1997 Pan-ay's Awami League decided to "lend all possible support to Dr. Farooq Abdullah to end militancy in the State".

Parray felt dissatisfied with Government efforts to deal with militancy and measures for rehabilittion of surrendered militants. For about 15 to 18 months be spoke on these subjects mostly in the Legislative Assembly. But by middle of 1998 he decided to speak out.

In a press interview on August 22,1998 he expressed himself strongly bordering on sense of betrayal." Militancy is back to the stage where we can compare it to the days of 1990. There are more foreigners (mercenaries) now in Kashmir. People who had worked hard to see the change in situation are feeling betrayed. They are even today ready to die for the cause. But the Government is not with them." About spurt in militancy he said, " Militants have their supporters everywhere - in political parties, State Cabinet, bureaucracy and even Police." He was bitter about the measures government had taken to look after the militants who had surrendered. "The Government has appointed only 10% of our boys as Special Police Officers who get Rs. 1500/- p.m. The Government of India has earmarked Rs. 4.5 crores for the rehabilitation of the surrendered militants. Our boys got nothing".' On being asked how long the mili fancy will las t in Kashmir, pa t came the reply, "militancy will never end here. There is no political will to eradicate it." In this context he said, "there will be no Kukka Parray in future. The Government did not encourage us / '

Parray's residence at village Hajan near Sumbal was attacked by rockets on the night of December 13-14,1998. Parray and his family were in the house but were unhurt. However, part of the house and the outer wall were damaged. Two rockets were fired on the house and these were followed by heavy firing from automatic weapons. Police believe that a group of about 6-8 foreign mercenaries were responsible for this attempt on Parray's life. However, on December 17,1998 Hizb-ul-Mujahideen claimed responsibilty of this attack on-Parray's residence.

Two weeks later, on December 28, armed militants fired on Parray residence at Hajan. Parray and his family were out of station. The security guards fired back. In the crossfire a girl was injured.

At Jammu, in December 1998 he participated in a seminar organised by Army on "Human Rights in Jammu & Kashmir ". In his speech he

352 Kashmir Underground.'

hit hard against armed militants whom he called the "vicious violators ' of human rights" in Jammu & Kashmir.

Parray, Manzoor Ahmed: Alias " Wafadar Khan". Nephew of Kukka Parray. He was Chief Commander of counter insurgent outfit "Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon". With 7 other colleagues he was travelling in a Gypsy on June 21, 1998 from Sumbal to Hajan in Baramulla District when a landmine blew up the BP vehicle killing him and 4 others on spot, 3 others were seriously injured.

Parray, Bashir Ahmed: Alias Bashir Yaar. A senior member of . Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. While he was travelling in BP Gypsy with 7

others on June 21,1998 from Sumbal to Hajan, he was killed when the Gypsy blew up when it hit a landmine.

Pehloo, Ghulam Mohd.: Alias Gul Pehloo. He was member of the core group of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. On June 21,1998 he was travelling

-with 7 others in a BP Gypsy on Sumbal - Hajan road. Gypsy hit a landmine and blew up killing him and 4 others. At the time of his death, he was Ikhwan's Deputy Chief.

Punju, Amin: A Pak trained militant who was operating in ' Baramulla District in 1998 as Area Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In an encounter in Sumbal area with BSF on July 5,1998, he was killed alongwith his colleague Shabir Ahmed.

Parmoo, Ghulam Nabi: Alias Mitha Parmoo. A Pak-trained militant member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In early 1998 he was made Deputy District Commander for Srinagar. He was alleged to be involved in same killings and had also indulged in extortion oi money from people.

Pathan, Rasheed: A senior member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. In early 1996, he was made Deputy Superme Commander. On May 14, 1996 in an encounter with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen activists in Tullamulla village in North Kashmir, he was injured.

Padroo, Bashir Ahmed : An activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who had 3 months training in Pakistan in 1991-92. He comes from village Damalhanjipora in Kulgam to which the former speaker of Legislative Assembly, Wali Mohd. Ittoo belonged. Padroo was one of the six who -conspired to eliminate Ittoo. On March 18,1994, as Ittoo was returning from Friday prayers in Talab Khatikan area of Jammu City, Padroo allegedly shot him dead from close range. He then fled through the narrow lanes.

Peer Baba: Also known as Ghazi. Known to be a Pakistani national. He came with first batch of activists oi Harkat-ul-Ansar in early 1993. Gradually he went up the hierarchy and in early 1997 was made HUA Chief in Kashmir Valley. On May 6,1997 while he was having meeting in Iddgah area of Srinagar with leaders of Ili'/.h-ul-Mujahideon and


Tehreek-ul-Mujahideen, BSF raided the premises. In the encounter he was killed.

Farray, Master Ghulam Mohammed: Alias 'Naeem Siddiqi'. Belonging to Daulatpora, Baramulla, he was senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was made Baramulla District Advisor in early 1994. On May 11,1994 he was arrested from his residence but was killed in crossfire, while being taken out. However, the outfit alleged that he had been killed in custody

Col. Padseen Real name Khazir Mohammed. See Khazir. Pahalwan, Samander: A fully trianed militant who rose to be the

Divisional Commander for Kupwara District for Harkat-ul-Ansar. In 1998 he was also asked to coordinate work of all the foreign mercenaries, in the area. In an encounter with Army in Hafradha forest in Kupwara District on June 18,1998 alongwith another foreign militant, he was killed.

Qadir, Ghulam: Alias "Qwais Afghani". One of the first to join Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In late 1993 he was made Commander for Srinagar District. On March 30,1994 alongwith Commander for Badgam District, Qadir was arrested by BSF.

Qayoom, Mian Abdul: A leading lawyer of Srinagar. When militancy was at its peak in first 6 years of the nineties he was President of the Kashmir Bar Association. An active sympathiser of the on-going movement he was able to secure the KBA support at difficult times. At one time he urged all lawyers to set their watches and clocks at home and office to Pakistan Standard Time. He also asked them not to attend courts on Fridays as was being practised in Pakistan when it was decided to bring different secessionist organisations under one umbrella in first few months of 1990, the Tehrik-i-Hurriyat-e-Kashmir of 11 organisations was set up. Qayoom was appointed its Convenor on March 4,1990.

During the Hazratbal Shrine crisis he played an important role to bring succour and relief to holed-up militants in the Shrine in October-November 1993.

A few months earlier his Passport was impounded. On May 6,1993 he was not allowed to leave for Saudi Arabia. It was alleged that he was going to Jeddah to attend Pakistan sponsored Kashmir Conference.

Speaking on the occasion of Kashmir Conference on Human Rights on March 27,1998 at Srinagar he urged people of the State "to remove the stigma of enslavement and rewrite history."

Qazi, Dr. Mohd. Nissan A theologian and a scholar of Arabic. Mirwaiz of South Kashmir. He came into prominance in 1984-85 when the Governor, Mr. Jagmohan gave him recognition. He soon floated his outfit Umat-e-Islam on March 4,1986. He supported MUF in Legislative Assembly election in 1987. He was a good orator and since there were in


' interest wanting to weaken hold of Mirwaiz Kashmir, Moulvi Mohd. Farooq, Dr. Qazi Nissar received support and assistance from diverse sections. When militancy erupted different militant groups wanted him to allign himself with each one of them. Though he broadly supported the secessionist movement he declined to accept supermacy of any supremo of an outfit. The Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had reasons to be annoyed with him because he had snubbed its leaders number of times. On June 19,1994 Dr. Qazi Nissar had gone to Bon Dyalgam a few miles out of Anantnag town. He wanted to return to Anantnag and got a taxi. It was brought by a Hizb militant Farooq Baba (Mohd. Sadiq). Baba and another militant Ghulam Nabi Reshi alias Gadda also got into it. A little distance away the taxi was made to stop and Qazi Nissar was ordered out and made to raise his hands. Many more militants emerged from behind nearby trees. Many bullets were fired and Qazi slumped dead. When news spread there were big anti-Pak and anti-Hizb demonstrations.

Qureshi, Omar Hyat: Alias "Dr. Haider." Originally belonged to Students Liberation Front. When it was converted to the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen he was given greater responsibility. When the Group Chief Commander Abu Arshad^ was killed on October 3, 1992, Quereshi stepped into his shoes. However within one month, on November 7, 1992 he was killed in an encounter with the Security Forces.

Quereshi, Wajahat Bashir An active member of JKLF. When it was reorganised on Apirl 5, 1990, Quereshi was made one of the 7 Area Commanders in Srinagar. In 1993 he was arrested and detained under TADA. He has been challaned by CBI in the TADA designated court for alleged involvement in assasinations and kidnappings. The TADA court released him on interim bail on June 28,1995. He was rearrested by police as soon as he stepped out of gate of Jammu's Central Jail.

Qadeer, Abdul: Joined militant ranks in 1990 and rose quickly. Reportedly made two trips across the LOG In winter of 1996-97 he became the Chief Commander of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. In April 1997 in statement he alleged that BSF had planned to set a Kashmiri against a Kashmiri and start a civil war. He said this effort would be frustrated by the Shoor-e-Jehad.

Qureshi, Javed: Alias Muzaffar Sheikh-Resident of Doda. One of first local militant also started operation in 1990. An experienced and highly trained militant who was made the District Commander for Doda District in 1996 by the High Command of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. However, on November 6,1997 he was killed in an encounter with Security Forces at a village a few miles north of Doda town.

Qureshi, Abdul Karim: A trained member of Harkat-ul-Ansar. Belonging to Rajouri District. In 1997 he was made HUA Recuritnient Chief for Jammu Division. He was able to motivate some youth from


Jammu region to go across the LOC for training and induction. However, in December 1997 in Jammu City he was arrested alongwith his colleague Shahdab Ahmed Malik.

Quereshi, Mohd. Yousef: A militant who was close to Azam Inqalabi. In 1993 he was made Chief of Mahaz-i-Azadi.

Qayum, Abdul: Alias Jehangir. Also known as 'Bittu'. Belongs to Basantgarh in Udhampur District. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Commander for Ram Nagar area. He was arrested on May 12,1998. He helped police to recover arms and ammunition from Basantgarh area. He had been active in Latti, Dudu and Basantgarh area for over 2 years.

Qasim, Maulana Mohd.: An Afghan national. He claims to head Lashkar-e-Hyder - a Taliban Group - which is reported to have over 1100 trained Afghan mercenaries. In early November 1998 "somewhere in Kashmir" he claimed that they had 28 training camps in North Kashmir to give new impetus to Jehad in Kashmir.

Qureshi, Mohd. Akban Alias 'Akbar Bhai'. An Afghan national. In Afghanistan he was member of Hizb-I-Islamia. During Afghan war against Soviets, he was a body guard of Mujahideen leader Gulbudin Hekmatyar. He was sent into Kashmir Valley in August 1991 with a group of well trained Afghan and Pakistan militants. They made Sopore area centre of their operations. On August 7,1993, under his command about 200 militants gathered near the State Bank of India building in Sopore, to capture it. The BSF frustrated their attempt. During the encounter Akbar Bhai got killed.

Qarirn, Abdul: A hardcore militant who spent whole of 1998 in Mahore area of Udhampur District spreading terror. In this area he headed a group of Harkat-ul-Ansar members and he specialised in bleading his victims. The BSF ultimately spotted him in Dandot village/

challenged and shot him dead. Quereshi, Ashraf: A young Kashmiri who in 1970 was motivated

by Hashim Quereshi to join him in hijacking an Indian plane and taking it forcibly to Lahore on January 31, 1971. The plane was blown up at Lahore airport. Ashraf and Hashim were first lionised as heros but later were tried as Indian agents by a court and sentenced to impresonment.

In June 1992 in a long interview given by Ashraf was published in an Urdu weekly "Horizons" m Pakistan. Ashraf disclosed that the hijackers of the Indian plane "Ganga" in 1971 were trained in Pakistan and it was at the instance of Pakistani authorities that they blew up the plane after it had been taken to Lahore from Srinagar. Ashraf said that after the Pakistani attack on Kashmir in 1965 failed, some Kashmiri youth led by Maqbool Bhat organised terrorist activities and the credit for this was taken by Pakistani Ministry of Kashmir Affairs which also got funds from the Government for this purpose. He goes on to talk of

\


"training camps in a forest near the border". Hashim was sent to Kashmir and on his return to Pakistan he was given training in hijacking, said Ashraf. After hijacking the plane from Srinagar they "wanted to take it to Rawalpindi but because of shortage of fuel we contacted Lahore airport authorities who were very helpful and guided us to the airport, The Government of Pakistan was aware of the hijack plan but was not actively involved in its formulation and implementation. Ashraf said it was not their plan " to blow up the plane but we were made to set ablaze the plane. A senior police officer of Lahore provided us the petrol for burning it."

Quereshi, Aftab Ahmed: Alias Abu Arshad. A member of the original Students Liberation Front. He took part allegedly in bomb blasts in the Bakhshi Stadium on the occasion of Independence Day Parade at Srinagar on August 15,1983. He was arrested soon after. After his release he worked under the guidance of Hilal Ahmed Beigh and Iqbal Quereshi. He crossed the LOC in January 1990 to go to Pakistan for arms training. On return from there he joined Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was resoponsible for organising a Death Squad to counter Security Forces' "Operation Tiger" in 1992 after he had been named Ikhwan Chief on August 3,1991. He soon after issued a stern warning to all detractors including JKLF. He was made Chief Commander on October 3,1992. In an enccounter with Security Forces on October 3,1992, he got killed.

He was brother of Ashraf Quereshi who was co-hyjacker of Indian Airlines Fokker plane "Ganga" in 1971 taken to Lahore.

Quereshi, Fazl Haq: He was member of an underground outfit A2 Fateh which was formed in 1971. Later that year, with others he set up Students Revolutionary Council. Soon after, he was absorbed in Government service but he did not last there. While in service he indulged in subversive activities. He was dismissed from service. He then joined Peoples League and because of dedication assumed importance in the organisation. When Shabir Shah (League Chairman) was arrested in September 1989, Quereshi was named his successor. Soon he went over to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested in February 1990 and was detained under TADA. He was released on June 3,1992. The same day he issued a statement that war would not solve any problem. He proposed a "purposeful dialogue for settlement of the long standing problem of this unfortunate State".

Soon after he launched a new organisation, J&K Peoples United Front and was named its Chairman. He changed its name on August 8, 1993 to J&K People Political Front.

Quereshi, Iqbal: A brother of Hashim Quereshi, a former Chairman of JKLF. A senior member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was involved


mostly in guiding and directing the active cadres. A close associate of Hilal Ahmed Beigh—a one time Chief of the outfit.

Quereshi, Mohd. Hashim: A co-founder of JKLF. He was born in 1948. During schooling he was a nonconformist. In 1969-70 he went to Pakistan to participate at Peshawar in his sister's marriage. There he met Mohd. Maqbool Bhat who had already founded National Liberation Front (NLF). Hashim impressed Maqbool with his courage and readiness to take risks. Hashim soon joined the NLF. He was asked to return to Kashmir Valley and enrol members. In Kashmir Valley he stayed only a few months and went back to Rawalpindi by crossing the CFL in Kupwara sector. In Pakistan he was instructed how to hijack a plane. He was only 23 years old. He returned to Srinagar and waited for an opportunity to attempt hijacking an Indian plane. He discussed the plan with Ashraf Qureshi and persuaded him to participate "in the adventure". On January 31,1971 two of them successfully hijacked an Indian Airlines Fokker plane on its Srinagar-Delh flight. The plane named "Ganga" was forced to fly to Lahore. It landed safely. All pasengers and crew members were safely returned to India. The plane was burnt on the tarmac. Hashim disclosed years later that, "Pakistan authorities gave us instructions to set the plane on fire. They provided us with petrol. Since it had been witnessed by large crowds, this evidence was produced in Pakistani Special Court". Hashim and Ashraf were tried. Hashim was sentenced to 19 years rigorous, imprisonment on various counts. This was later reduced to 9 years. After spending this period in Pakistani jails he was released in 1980 by Pakistan Supreme Court.

In October 1990 from Nethersland, Hashim disclosed "When we hijacked 'Ganga' aircraft under the guidance of late Maqbool Bhat, Sarder Qayoom Khan (President of Azad Kashmir at that time) sent his brother Gaffar Khan to late Maqbool Bhat in Lahore with an offer to give credit of hijacking of 'Ganga' to his 'Al Mujahid' outfit just to save his skin. And for that he offered Rs 10 lacs to him and assured late Maqbool Bhat to make him Commander of 'Al Mujahid'. But he (Maqbool) refused this offer". After being released from jail Hashim did not find the atmosphere in Pakistan congenial. He had been branded an Indian agent at times. He decided to go into self-exile in Holland. He now holds Dutch passport. He also fell out with Amanullah Khan, JKLF President because of his plans to assassinate Indian diplomat, Ravindra Mhatre at Birmingham (UK) on February 3,1984. He had told Khan not to kill trur Indian diplomat because India would surely retaliate by executing Maqbool Bhat who was in Delhi's Tihar Jail awaiting execution. Within a few days of Mhatre's killing, Bhat was executed in Delhi on February 11,1984. The British Government externed Hashim & Khan.


He made his base in Holland. He came to Pakistan in September -1993 and toured POK as well. On return to Holland he wrote a long article which was published on October 14,1993. He said he had realised now that the Kashmiris have suffered the most because of the politics of gun. "Unless they give up the gun, the world will not sympathise with them" he said. The article blamed Pakistan for having raised a large number of terrorist organisations in Kashmir thus dividing the Kashmiri people further. "Young, immature and indisciplined boys have been given guns and now they are out of control of the organisations they belong to. They are indulging in rape, kidnapping and killing of innocent people. Those who manipulate those boys are the worst enemies of the Kashmiris" he said. He accused Pakistani politicians of having looted and ruined Kashmir.

Hashim attended a couple of sessions at Geneva of the UN Human Rights Commission, where he pleaded for end of violence in Kashmir. He suggested that efforts should be made only for a peaceful solution of Kashmir problem. He also accused Pakistan of destroying flower of Kashmiri youth. He alleged that ISI was pumping money and munitions to fuel violence and destruction in Kashmir.

He said he stood for an Independent Kashmir but he wanted first Pakistan to bring all territories like Gilgit, Baltistan etc., occupied by it, under Azad Kashmir Government and then allow people there to decide their own future. He said India should do the same,

Hashim had not taken any part in JKLF activities after he settled in Holland in 1986. JKLF Chairman Amanullah Khan in 1990 expelled him from the organisation. On October 18,1993 even JKLF (Yasin) in Kashmir disowned Hashim calling him an Indian agent.

Soon after this he started consultations with likeminded political activists in different countries. It took many months but ultimately resulted in formation of Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Liberation Front. Hashim was made its Chairman.

Concerned with disunity among various militant groups in Kashmir, he appealed to them in June 1994, to forge unity among themselves, have a common agenda and prepare for a tripartite dialogue with India and Pakistan before "Kashmir goes Afghan way". He said Islamic war in Afghanistan has killed more Afghans than were killed during the war against Soviet occupation. "The religions militants want a similar war in my State, Kashmir", he lamented. According to him the "Kashmiri national movement has lost international sympathy because it has been projected as a war for an Islamic order".

At Geneva in April 1998 he was able to address the UN Human Rights Commission. He urged the delegates on April 24, to impress upon Pakistan to end violence and gun culture in Jammu & Kashmir for


"Pakistan's real face on Kashmir has already been exposed". He referred to recent massacre of 26 Hindus in Udhampur District of Jammu region and said that there was ample proof of devastation wrecked by foreign terrorists whom he preferred to call as "occupational forces".

When Dr. Ghulam Qadir Wani, a separatist leader was killed in early November 1998 in his village near Bandipore in North Kashmir by armed militants, Quereshi reacted strongty. In a statement from Holland on November 10, he said this was part of a "deeprooted conspiracy of our enemies to liquidate the idealogues of the freedom movement so that Kashmiris are coerced into abandoning the cause for which they have made tremendous sacrifices during past decades". Wani's assassination is "another moment of deep introspection for the people of Kashmir. They should have no difficulty in understanding that a welcome call given to the 'guest mujahideen', mercenaries and the Taliban militiamen by some leaders is nothing but to invite the destruction of our motherland and liquidation of the leading lights of our struggle. It should be remembered that those who promote or spread violence, will be consumed by violence, sooner or later. Kashmir has always suffered at the hands of outsiders who have engineered their destruction in the guise of sympathisers or co-religionists", he added. Quereshi wanted Kashmiris to learn a lesson from their past history, "the motive of the mercenaries in liquidating the intellectuals and the idealogues is to create a situation in which Kashmiris become helpless and succumb to intimidation".

Quereshi had been working on a book on Kashmir for quite some time. In March 1999 he published in Pakistan, his "Kashmir: Unveiling the Truth". According to this the ISI wanted Quereshi to lure youth from Kashmir Valley for being trained to fight Indians in Kashmir. He writes, "I told them, you yourself are an occupying force.... And you want to give us arms to fight India. Such a struggle can serve only your objectives; we will not be a party to any struggle which uses our young people as gun fodder".

The book makes sensational disclosures about large funds being collected in name of Kashmiri struggle for freedom and being used for purposes other than this. The book while saying that Jamait-i-Islami receive large amounts from Pakistan, alleges that it raises finances abroad "through its front organisations like two being run by Dr. Ghulam Nabi Fai in US and Dr. Ayub Thakur in UK. These jamait organisations run full page advertisements in newspapers with large circulations among

. Moslems in these countries. These advertisements are placed specially during the holy month of Ramadan to help the needy in Kashmir". The book goes on to say that "funds which come in the from of donations to the public relief trust run by the Jamait is spent on lavish lifestyles led by


some J amait and militant leaders, while the younger generation is fed to the lions". It goes on to say that Jamait and other militant leaders also run fundraising compaigns during the Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia most of which are siphoned away by Hurriyat leaders, militant commanders and POK leaders such as Amanullah Khan and Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan. Quereshi disclosed that slush funds were being channelised through Pakistani and Kashmiri traders in the Gulf. "These funds are also being used to keep alive the sufferings of the people of Kashmir, particularly the youth through ISI-backed militancy", he said. Quereshi has alleged that Supremo of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Syed Salahudin "lives in a palatial house in Muzaffarabad with foreign cars at his disposal and the Hurriyat Chief Syed Ali Sheh Geelani had collected Rs 10 crores in the name of Charar-i-Sharief".

Rasul, Ghulam: Alias 'Gohar'. He had crossed over to Pakistan in 1991. For six months he was given intensive arms training there and in Afghanistan. On return in 1991 he was assigned to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and was asked to operate in his own area of Pampore in Pulwama District. In 1995 he was made the Area Commander because of his exploits in subversion. A few months later the expanding Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon posed threat to him and his colleagues. They managed to get away and reached Goa where they lay low. The police allege that before leaving for Goa they had extorted large sums from local affluent persons and this helped them to have a good holiday. On their return to Kashmir in March 1996 he stopped over in ]ammu. He was arrested from a k>ca\ hotel on March 23,1996.

Raza, Bash a rat: Also called "General". See "Basharat". Rasul, Syed Ghulam: Alias "General" Abdul Bari—A militant of 6

years standing. Was made Chief Commander of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen on September 11,1993 Wanted by police in 3 cases but evaded arrest till June 19, 1997 when he was arrested by SOG from Gow Kadal area of Sriangar, along with his Financial Chief.

Rauf, Abdul: Real name Mohd. Yousuf Shah. See Shah. Rafi, Mohammed: Alias 'Nanna Ji' An active member of JKLF. He

was alleged to be involved in killing of Police Inspector Saif-Ullah on December 1,1989. He was arrested in January 1990. He was granted bail on June 28,1995 by TADA Court. He was released in July 1995

Rafiq, Mohammed: An active member of JKLF. When the Party was first reorganised on April 5, 1990, Rafiq was made one of the 7 Area Commanders for Srinagar.

Rafiq, Mohammed: A member of Moslem Mujahideen. Its Chief Ghulam Nabi Aznd decided to take part in Parliamentary Elections in May 1996 and nominated him to contest from Annulling Constituency.


Rafiqui, Mushtaq Hussain: Alias Syed Yavar Abbas. He was Dy. Chief Commander for Jammu region .of Moslem Janbaz Force. On February 27, 1996 alongwith 13 other party activists he announced support to MJF Chief, Babar Badr to start dialogue with Delhi for solution of Kashmir problem.

Rauf, Abdul: An active member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. Alongwith its Chief Commander "Gen". Abdullah and 3 others, he was arrested in Srinagar by the Security Forces on September 11,1993.

Rauf, Mohammed: A Bangladeshi national. Member of Inqalabi Mahaz (Islami Revolutionary Front). He is alleged to have planned blasts in Delhi in 1993. Presently in detention.

Rahi, Imran: Real name Ghulam Rasul Shah. An active and committed member of People's League till 1989. He was arrested in 1990. From the Srinagar Central Jail, alongwith 12 other inmates, he dug a tunnel and escaped from jail. Soon he crossed over to POK. He received intensive training and instructions and was sent back to Kashmir in November 1991 to join Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Since he was known to the Chief then, Master Ahsan Dar, he was made a Divisional Commander incharge of Kupwara and Baramulla Districts. He was arrested in May 1992 from Seer, Sopore. In jail he was active discussing situation" with other detenus and organising condolence meetings. At the time of his arrest he was Dy. Chief Commander. In November, 1995, he was released. With 3 other he formed J&K Forum for Permanent Resolution of Kashmir. He was one of the 4 important militants who on February 8,1996 offered to enter into dialogue with Delhi. He also severely criticised the Hurriyat leadership for 'non-performance "to give lead to people at difficult time in Kashmir history. Alongwith 3 others he was invited by the Union Government to meet Home Minister. He and his colleagues met Mr. S. B. Chavan. Later a Central Government Special Committee under Mr. V. K. Jain, Special Secretary, Home Ministry, had meetings with him and others.

The Forum disintegrated soon. Imran bided some time. In July 1998 he joined Shabir Shah's J&K Democratic Party.

Rashid, Ibn: A member of "Operation Balakote" outfit. In 1993, he was made spokesman of the outfit by its Chief, Azam Inqalabi. On January 16, 1994, he issued a statement admitting that his outfit had been severely battered having lost 475 of its active cadres in 1993. Also 29 activists had been arrested.

Rashid, Abdul: A member of Kashmir Freedom Movement. He was arrested in Bombay on March 13,1991. KFM Chief, Nazir Ahmed was also arrested with Rashid.

Rouf. Moulvi: Real name Rafiq Ahmed Bhat —See Bhat.


Rashid, Abdul: Alias 'Pattan'. A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. In the party reorganisation of July 8, 1995 he was named Divisional Commander for Central Kashmir.

Rasul, Riyaz: Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's Divisional Commander for Srinagar and Budgam District in 1993. On June 15,1993 he got killed by the Security Forces in an encounter.

Rathar, Abdul Salam: Alias 'Khalid'. Originally he was a member of Peoples' League. Crossed over to POK in June 1990 for training and instructions. Back in Kashmir he helped to coordinate work of training of Kashmiri youth for the Moslem Janbaz Force. During this period ISI wanted Kashmiri youth educated in science subjects to be sent over for training in wireless communication.

In Kashmir he was arrested on November 11, 1991. Soon he was released. He rejoined Peoples' League. In 1997, he decided to side with Nayeem Khan against Shabir Shah. In the reorganised set-up he was made the Vice-President of the League. But Shabir's pull was there all the time and on June 25, 1998 he joined Shabir Shah's Democratic Freedom Party.

Rathod, Ghulam Mohd: He was connected with Tehrik-ul-Musalmeen. Early in 1992 he was named its Chief Organiser. In 1993 he was reported to have gone to Saudi Arabia and allegedly brought back Rs. 5 crores in a clandestine manner. This money was to be used for subversive purposes. He evaded arrest for over 2 years but was finally arrested by BSF on December 16,1993.

Reshi, Ghulam Nabi: Alias 'Gadda'. An activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He is alleged to be one of two eye-witnesses of the abduction and killing of Dr. Qazi Mohd. Nissar, Mirwaiz of South Kashmir on June 19,1994 on the Dyalgam-Anantnag road. Alongwith Farooq Baba he got into the taxi of Javed Ahmed at Dyalgam. After some distance taxi was made to stop and Dr. Qazi made to get out and raise his hands before he was shot dead. As a crucial witness he has been in protective custody of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Rub, Syed Abdun An active member of Moslem Janbaz Force. A statement by him on March 1,1996 disclosed that he had assumed the office of Chief Commander.

Rathar, Shabir Ahmed: Alias 'Abu Bakr' A Pakistan-trained member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He was its Divisional Commander for South Kashmir. The Police arrested him in Srinagar on October 28,1997.

Rishi, Gulam Mohidin: Alias 'Mehda Moulvi' A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Trained in Pakistan. He was active in Srinagar and Budgam Districts till he was named Launching Commander for the Districts of Budgam and Baramulla. On November 27,1997 State Police arrested him.


Rashid, Abdul: Alias 'Akhtar'. A resident of Sopore A very active member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In late 1997 he was in Pakistan where with few others he received directions to disrupt Parliamentary elections in Jammuarea. With an accomplice he infiltrated into Kathua area and traveled to Jammu. Before he could cause a bomb explosion he was arrested on February 2,1998 by Police.

Rigoo, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din: A resident of village of Chandarhar, near Pampore in Pulwama District. By profession he was a lawyer. The people of the locality asserted that he had nothing to do with militancy. The Police however, claimed that he was a militants with many exploits to his credit and was a Divisional Commander of the Al Burq outfit. Army troops had picked him up from his residence on February 3,1998. Officially it was stated that thereafter he led the troops to a hideout near by where a grenade blast killed Rigoo and 3 armymen received injuries. The local villagers however, said he had been killed in custody.

Rasheeda: A female militant (27) from Shopian in South Kashmir First she was member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and later joined Lashkar-i-Toiba. On March 8,1999 the Armymen arrested her from Badoon in Rajouri District. Rs 60,000 in Indian currency, a hand grenade and mcriminating documents were recovered from her. She disclosed that she was member of a gang of four including her husband Nazir alias Bzlal.

Rather, Abdur Rashid: Alias 'Tahir'. A resident of Tangmang area. He was a prominent member of "Moulvi Feroz group" of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, and a close associate of District Commander Jehangir. In an encounter with Kashmir Police near Beerwah (Budgam District) on May 24,1998. Police said Tahir was alleged to be involved in may killings and many more attacks and violent incidents.

Rathar, Khurshid Ahmed: A highly trained member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. When a BP Gypsy on June 21, 1998 traveling on Hajan-Sumbal road was blown up by a landmine, he with 4 others in it, were killed.

Rehman, Abu: Alias 'Masta Khan'. A Pakistani soldier serving in GHQ of Pakistani Army. In October 1998 he got killed in an encounter with Security Forces in Arnas area of Udhampur District.

Rishi, Khurshid Ahmed: A Hizb-ul-Mujahideen militant from 1989 days. He had many actions to his credit. He surrendered on February 21, 1999 at Srinagar. He told that he decided to surrender because of "hijacking of Jehad by foreign mercenaries." He vowed he would return to militancy the day senior Hurriyat leaders children too divorced their luxuries and picked up the gun. He alleged that on one side, "cottages of poor Kashmiris were getting destroyed and on other hand, separatist leaders were building fortunes."


Raheel Kashin Real nameShafiq~ur-Rehman. See Shafiq. Rathore, Abdul Nasir Khan: Alias 'Jabran Khan*. Belongs to POK

and is a self-confessed ISI agent. He was a Commander of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Alongwith 2 others he crossed over in Jammu sector from Sialkot area on November 15, 1998 after he had been specially trained in a Camp in Illaqa Ghair near Pak-Afghan border. During training he had been told of atrocities being committed by Indian security forces on Kashmiri moslems but founed this to be untrue here, he decided to surrender. This he did on January 1,1999 alongwith 6 others who had received training with him but had infiltrated on different dates. He said he had been told to kill important political leaders.

Rehamani, Mohd. Farooq: Chairman of J&K Peoples League. In 1974 he brought some youngmen together to form the League. For some time he edited the Jamait Urdu newspaper "Azaan", a couple of years later. League was joined by many young activists. In May 1985 a writ petition was filed in Calcutta High Court on alleged ban on Holy Koran. Rehmani took up the cause in Kashmir. He asked people to boycott the celebrations of Republic Day and Independence Day. In August 1988 he called for establishment of Nizam-i-Mustafa. When militancy erupted he went underground and then surfaced in Pakistan. He made a member of trips to Kashmir for consultation with important secessionist leaders. Once again he was made Chairman of Peoples League.

Rasheed, Abdul: Alias Hyder alias 'Green Zero'. He was local Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen for Banihal area along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. He was gunned down on March 20,1999 during an encounter with Army troops in Sarachi village. For over 2 years before this he had been involved in attacks on Security Forces and killing of civilians.

Saleem, Mohmmed :A seasoned member of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was made Chief Organiser in 1991. In September 1992 in the "Operation Tiger" launched by Security Forces,he'was killed.

Saleem, Mohd.: A member of Lashkar-i-Toiba. In 1996 he was made District Commander for Jammu. Soon after that ,he went across to Pakistan. He returned to Jammu in May 1997 but was arrested on June 8,1997.

Salim, Mohammed-. Belongs to JKLF. When it was reorganised on April 5,1990 he was made one of the 7 Area Commanders for Srinagar.

Salim, Mohammedj A resident of POK. He was a member of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. After special training he was infiltrated into Rajouri area in 1997. After taking part in a few actions, he was arrested and ultimately got lodged in Kot Bhalwal Jail near Jammu City. There he met Mohd. Irfan and Mohd. Khalid—both of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Under Khalid's leadership the three planned escape from jail. Successfully they managed


jailbreak on October 16,1998 They were able to cross back into Pakistan four days later where they got heros welcome because of the daring escape from high-security jail.

Saleem ,Mohammed : Alias Nanaji. An active member of JKLF. He was nominated on April 5,1990, an Area Commander in Srinagar District. He was later promoted as Deputy Commander. He was arrested on April28,1991. He was released soon.

Sahrai, Ashraf : Founder-President of Jamait-i-TuIba(1977)— studeent wing of Jamait-I-Islami. While referring to Kashmir problem in his address at the first annual Conference of Jamait-I-Tulba at Srinagar in July 1978 he said/'It is struggle for independence of Kashmiri people and would go on till achieved." He was arrested on July 31,1990.

Sikander Azam : Real name is Fayaz Ahmed Wani. See Wani. Sehri, Dillawan A senior member of Allah Tigers. Soon after its

formation on August 15,1989,he was made its Chief Commander. Shafiq-ur-Rehman : Alias Raheel Khan. A Pakistani national- He

was a senior member of JKLF. In 1998 he was appointed "Political & * Military"Commander of Jammu Province amd was asked to reactivate

the outfit in whole of Jammu region. With 2 colleagues he was infiltrating into Bhimber Gali area of Rajouri-Poonch sector on February 5, 1999 when the group was ambushed by Security Forces and he was killed.

Salahudin Ahmed, Syed : Real name is Mohammed Yusuf Shah. In Legislative Assembly elections in March 1987 he contested election on MUF ticket from Amirakadal constituency of Srinagar. He lost the election. Disgusted and dejected he decided to cross LOC and to go Pakistan to try his luck. There he received arms training as also in subversion and soon became part of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He has made numerous trips to Pakistan across the LOC in past 9 years. In 1991 he quickly became a prominent office-bearer enjoying the confidence and support of senior officers of ISI in Pakistan. With the exit of Master Ahsan Dar from HUM, Salahudin was named the new Patron and Chief Commander on November 11, 1991. With induction of foreign mercenaries, his stock with Pakistan fell steeply. On May 5,1992 even he said there were no idealogical differences among the various guerrilla groups or with Pakistan. H wanted all the militant groups to come to one platform. He said he had managed to bring five groups to form a United Jehad Council. He tried to dispel the impression that HUM was the military wing of Jamait-i-lslami claiming that it was totally a separate and independent body. He wanted ranks of HUM and other organisations to be ' cleansed' by throwing out persons who had defamed the peoples' movement by indulging in harassing innocent citizens, looting, extortion, kidnappings, rapes and other criminal actions. He refuted the allegation that their movement was either fundamentalist or


communal and said, "Anyone who believes in Islam cannot be communal."

In 1993 Pakistan ISI invited him over to discuss the restructuring of the secessionist movement in Kashmir and to increase the induction of foreign mercenaries. He spent many weeks in Pakistan and POK. He had to fall in line with ISI .thinking and with the new strategy devised by them. He soon returned to Kashmir. In November 1994 he again went across the LOC and surfaced at Muzaffarabad on November 15. He however returned to the Valley in 1996 for a special meeting with local commanders before returning to Pakistan.

In a surprise statement in Pakistan made by him in middle of August 1997 he admitted that Pakistan indeed was providing support to militants in Kashmir in terms of money, arms, training and much more. He even called Pakistan, "mother of insurgency in Kashmir". He expressed his apprehension that under international pressure Pakistan may cut down on its assistance but asserted that notwithstanding this, Jehad in Kashmir would continue.

His stock with ISI had declined somewhat because under his leadership the Hizb cadres failed to disrupt the elections in 1996 in Jammu & Kashmir. The ISI was generally not satisfied with Kashmiri militants and with Salahudin. They started patronising a Pakistani of Kashmiri origin, Masood Sarfraz, In February 1998 credible reports were received from across the'LOC that ISI was about to announce Salahudin's replacement by Sarfraz. This failed to materialise and Salahudin was reelected as HUM Chief..

On May 11,1998 he was re-elected Chairman of 14-part, United Front Jehad Council at Muzaffarabad. There he reiterated his resolve to strengthen the movement and fight unitedly to "achieve cherished goal." Following this he moved closer to Pakistan Jamait-i-Islami and its Chief, Qazi Hussain Ahmed.

In Islamabad's Shah Faisal Mosque to observe the anniversary of establishment of 'Azad Kashmir' Government, the Pakistan Jamait-i-Islami organised a big public meeting claimed to have been attended by over one hundred thousand persons on October 25,1998. Syed Salahudin addressing the meeting claimed that hundreds of Pakistani youth under the banner of Hiz-uI-Mujahideen were fighting against the Indian troops in Kashmir. According to him Kashmir was a part of Pakistan and the fighting in Kashmir was a war of survival for Pakistan. He exhorted more Pak youth to participate in Jehad in Kashmiur. The Jamait Chief, Qazi Hussain Ahmed supporting Salahudin said, hundreds of Pakistani youth "are being regularly sent to Kashmir to fight."

During this meeting Salahudin also appealed for liberal contributions for the Jehad fund. It was reported that many lacs of rupees were collected during the 3-day conference.


Sailani, Ghulam Qadir: A member of the J&K Liberation Council.. In 1992, he was appinted Head of its Legal Cell.

Syed> Mohd.Ashfaq Anwar : He belongs to an outfit called Al Madad Yalgar-i-Ali. In early 1991 he was made its Chief. The Security Forces arrested him on July 10,1991

Saraf, Ashraf : A senior member of JKLF. Before crossing over to POK in January 1990,he was a temporary lecturer in Government College, Baramulla. It is alleged that he had a hand in ordering killing of Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq, Vice-Chancellor of Kashmir University, on April 10,1990. This was confirmed by a Press Release issued from JKLF Hqs.at Rawalpindi (Pakistan) on April 20,1990. It clearly said that instructions for execution had been conveyed to Srinagar by Saraf under instructions of Brig. Imtiaz of ISI. Saraf now lives in Rawalpindi. From there he coordinates arms supplies to militant groups in Kashmir. He is reported to have shifted his loyalties to HUM and now co-ordinates its work.

Sartaj: A well-trained activist of JKLF. When 20 year old in 1990 he crossed the LOC and returned in November 1991. He was under training in Pakistan and Afghanistan for over 14 months. He disclosed that all those who received training with him, were made to sign a pledge that on return to Kashmir they would work for Kashmir's merger with Pakistan. Within a few months of his return he was made Base Commander of Tral-Pulwama area. He told an Indian journalist at Srinagar on November 14,1992 that JKLF objective was independent Kashmir but if this cannot be achieved they would "prefer India over Pakistan."

Shahwali : This is codename of an Afghan militant who was operating in Kashmir Valley before he was transferred to Poonch District in 1997 as Hizb Commander. He was eliminated on October 6^1997."':^ ,

Shah, Mohammed Yusuf: Alias Abdul RauL. An active andisenior ' member of Jamait-uI-Mujahideen. He was later made the Launching J' Chief. On September 11,1993 he was arrested by Security Forces, ,\A

alongwith 4 others including its Chief Commander' General' Abdullah, i Shah, Javed Ahmed: Alias' Ansar-ul-Haq'. He was a member of .,"

J&K Police Force from 1981 to 1989. That year he got swayed byUhe '•} "freedom wave and fight for Azadi in the name of Jehad" as he put it. In \ 1997 he felt it was blunder for him for "I had jumped into it without / applying my mind." He went across the LOC in 1989 for training in 1 arms and returned in 1990 when he was entrusted work in Bandipbre | area as local Chief of "Jehad Force". Soon he was made its Chief V Commander. This outfit got divided into 'Al Jehad' and 'Jehad Force'J'r

At one stage be was made Supreme Commander of Al Fateh outriti During this period he was arrested twice but bailed out. Shah recalls'; him visits to Pakistan and says. "I worked in several groups and had


relations with ISI of Pakistan, Jamait-i-Islami and several other international agencies. I observed that everyone was working for its own interests and nobody was really fighting for 'Jehad' as Islam was never in danger at least in Kashmir."

"In Pakistan I have been to Punjab, Gilgit and Pakistan occupied Kashmir and realised that real Islam exists in Kashmir Valley. It is in Kashmir where the teachings of Islam and Prophet Mohammed are taught/'

In 1994 and 1995 he got associated with Kukka Parray. When Parray launched his Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon in early 1995, he joined him.

In February 1997 Shah made disclosure about his erstwhile colleagues in different militant outfits, which made them very uncomfortable in eyes of public In a press interview on February 2, he was very harsh on Hurriyat leaders. He accused them of pushing thousands of Kashmiri youth into Jehad while keeping away their own children from violence and killing. He wanted to know how many of their sons and relatives took part in the holy war in Kashmir and how many of their houses have been destroyed. About Syed'AIi Shah Geelani who also is a senior leader of Jamait-i-lslami, Shah disclosed that one of his son is a practising doctor and other is a DFO in the Forest Department. He also revealed that another Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone had set up business for his son with crores of rupees. He said," in the name of martyrs, who had laid down their lives, their leaders collected huge sums of money which was being used by them to run their business houses.

Refering to Shabir Ahmed Shah, Javed said, "He introduced me to militancy and told us to work for Allah Tigers which had ordered closure of bars and cinema halls. "Javed asked, was not Shabir Shah aware that Tata Sierra Wagon given to him on release from jail, was bought from money collected from these bars and cinemas.

When Kukka Parray launched his Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon - a counter-insurgency outfit - in early 1995, Javed became its founder member. In the Party .reorganisation announced on July 8,1995, Javed was nominated as Deputy Supreme Commander. Soon he developed differences with Parray but these were cleared and on March 7, 1996 javed accepted Parray's supermacy and "resolved to sacrifice his life for elimination of the gun and heaps of dynamite from the state."

When Parray formed the political party, Awami League , Javed became a member, and nominated its General Secretary. He was the party candidate for-BaramuIla Parliamentary Constituency election in May 1996. He lost the election. In November 1996 he resigned from Awami League and joined the National Conference.

In February 1997 he accused Kukka Parray of having misused huge sums of money which was actually meant for the cadres. He did not make any specific charge. .


He told press on February 2,1997 " If the Government of India allows us to operate officially, provides us with necessary vehicles, necessary ammunition and under the supervision of the Army I am confident we can wipe out militancy from the Valley within four months." He disclosed that he had 1236 men working with him but the Government was not paying anything for them.

In March 1997 he was elected as NC member of the Legislative Council. When S. Hamid, Chairman of Shoura-I-Jehad was killed in an encounter with SOG of State Police in April 1998, Javed Shah in the Legislative Council on April 20,1998, praised the SOG for eliminating Hamid, who according to him was responsible for largescale destruction during nine years of militancy.

Being unable to persuade the National Conference leadership and the State Government to fullfili promises made to the surrendered militants, Shah became highly critical of the party leadership. On August 11,1998 he went public with the harsh criticism and said he was prepared even for expulsion from the ruling party. He even threatened to launch an agitation against the Government criticising the Farooq Government Che is a party nominated MLC) he accused the government of gross mismanagement resulting in deteriorating law and order situation. According to him more people had been killed during the rule of elected government than at peak of militancy. He was also critical of the Union Government who also have done nothing concrete in this direction.

Shah, Ghulam Mohammed: A militant trained in Pakistan. He moved from one outfit to other tin-he joined Tehrik-e-Jehad in 1995-96 winter. In 1997 he was made its Chief: The Police claimed that Shah was eliminated in January 1998.

Saleh, Siddique: Real name Mustaq Ahmed Bhat. See Bhat Shah ji: A highly trained Pakistani militant who was made

Commander for Rajouri and Doda Districts by Lashkar-i-Toiba. In an encounter with Security Forces he was killed on July 10,1997 in hills of Rajouri District.

Sher Khan: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was deputed from Kashmir to Rajouri District in 1997 as Area Commander. In an encounter with the Security Forces close to LOC on July 27,1997 he was killed.

Sher Khan: An operative of Pakistan ISI deputed to Rajouri District in 1998 to coordinate militant operations. In an encounter on February 2,1999 with BSF in Kot Ranka area of Rajouri District, he was killed. But since Sher Khan is a common name amongest the militants, confusion prevailed about the real identity.

Shah, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias Muzam Ali. Son of a government employee. Belongs to Ganderbal area. After being motivated by Syed '


Tajamul Islam, Chief of Al Barq, in September 1990 he went across LOC for arms training. After 9 months training he returned to Kashmir and was made Area Commander of Al Barq. When its Chief Commander Khalid Gibran was killed in 1993, he was named 'Supreme Commander' on October 20,1993. He was arrested by BSF in Srinagar on May 29, 1994. During interrogation he disclosed that Al Burq was being supplied arms and ammunition by ISI. It also was sending regularly Rs. 5 lac every month to sustain Al Burq operations.

Shah, Fayaz Ahmed: Divisional Commander of 'Jehad Force', for Srinagar and Budgam Districts. While he had taken refuge in a house on outskirts of Srinagar, the Security Forces surrounded it on January 21, 1994. In the encounter he got killed though his outfit alleged that he was killed in custody.

Siddiqi, Naeem: Real name Master Ghulam Mohd. Parray. See Parray.

Shera: A Pakistan national from Karachi. An alleged criminal sentenced to death was pushed by ISI across the LOC in 1997 for subversion and killings. He was given charge of activities of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Rajouri and Poonch. Since mid May 1998 he has not been spotted.

Siddiqi, Farooq Ahmed: Alias "Zain-ul-Abdin". A senior member of JKLF. When the Party Deputy Chief Noor Mohd. Kalwal was arrested on October 8,1991, his place was filled up on December 13,1991 by Siddiqi. In 1994 due to inter-gang rivalry he was abducted by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen but released after a few days following an understanding reached. Party claimed .he is not a militant but a politician and Chief Spokesman. He was arrested on February 1,1993 by BSF from Nageen area.

Siddiqi, Shabir Ahmed: An active member of JKLF since 1990. He came to be noticed prominently when he was Publicity Secretary and was holed up inside the Hazratbal Shrine alongwith Basharat Raza. Divisional Commander, Mohd. Idris and others in October 1993. After he gave up arms and came out of the Shrine, he was released in a few days. He started developing difference with JKLF's local leadership of Yasin Malik, soon after. On February 26, 1994 he was arrested by JK Police. He was released later. With his group he operated in the vicinity of the Shrine, where he set up his headquarter. When JKLF was reorganised on May 3,1995, Siddiqi was sidelined. In September 1995, the JKLF split. Amanullah Khan, Party Supermo from Pakistan, appointed Siddiqi as JKLF President in Kashmir. On March 24,1996, he and many members of his faction forced entry into the Shrine. Police on duty resisted and in the shoot out 8 militants and one Police official died. After negotiations Siddiqi agreed to leave the Shrine and returned to his


office outside, with 16 others, on March 26,1996. Police claimed to have evidence that the group holed up inside the Shrine, had tried to tamper with lock of the safe in an attempt to reach the Holy Relic. In view of this on March 30,1996 the Special Operation Group of J&K Police cordoned the two houses in the vicinity of the Shrine in which the Group had its office, and asked the militants to come out and hand over arms. Government claimed that the inmates started firing on the police and in the encounter the building caught fire and all 25 militants died. Siddiqi was also one of them. JKLF however disputed this version and asserted that few of them had been arrested and killed in custody.

Sidiqui, Kaleem: A well known activist of Hizbullah. On October ' 3,1992 he was made Incharge Publicity

Sofi, Ghulam Mohd.: A senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. From 1992 he has been the Chief Coordinator of training of party cadres. He lives in Rawalpindi and operates from the other side of LOC.

Sofi, Mohd. Ramzan: Alias "General Abdullah". A seasoned activist of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. In March 1993 he was made Chief Commander after the present incumbent Nassar-ul-lslam was killed. On September 10,1993, alongwith 4 aides he was arrested by Security Forces from a hideout in Balgarden, Srinagar.

Shah Jehan: A code name. He is Chief of a lesser known outfit "Kashmir Guerrilla Front" which came into being in 1991.

Shah, Nazir Ahmed: Alias ' Aziz-ur-Rehman'. In early 1994 he was made "Salar-I-Allah" - Chief Commander of Al Jehad. On June 18, 1994 in Bemina, Srinagar in an encounter with Security Forces he was killed.

Shah, Syed Irfan Ahmed: An Area Commander of JKLF in Srinagar in crucial months of January to June 1990. He was killed on August 3, 1990 in an encounter with the Security Forces.

Shah, Javed Ahmed: See Ansar-ul-Haq/ Shah, Abdul Rashid: An important member of Siddiqi faction of

JKLF. He was one of the group that tried to force its entry into the Hazartbal Shrine on March 24,1996 and was killed by SOG of J&K Police.

Shahnaz, Alam: An experienced member of the Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was appointed Chief Organiser of the set up on June 15, 1993 at a special meeting of its Command Council.

Shah, Commander Manzoor: A Pakistani operative. He was made Chief of the United Jehad Council in 1994. He was under direct supervision of IS1-

Sofi, Manzoor Ahmed: A hardcore member of the JKLF. He was allegedly involved in many killings alongwith others. In 1993 Police presented n challan against him before TADA designated court at


Jammu. He was arrested before that for his involvement in alleged kidnapping of Dr. Rubiya Sayed in December 1989. TADA court released him on bail on January 30,1999.

Shah, Mushtaq Ahmed: A activist of JKLF. He was deputed outside the State to make contacts with other anti-Indian groups. He went to Gujarat. On February 13,1994, he was arrested from a hide out in Surat by Gujarat Police.

Shaila Ms.: Operated under this code name. A young educated woman. Heads the pro-pak "Muslim Khawateen Mahaz" — Centre for Moslem women.

Shaila, Javed Ahmed: A senior member of Students Liberation Front (later Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen). He is alleged to be involved in abduction and killing of General Manager of HMT factory, H.L. Khera and Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University, Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq and his Secretary Abdul Ghani.All three from two different places in Srinagar were abducted on April 6,1990. Khera's dead body was found on April 10, 1990. Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq and Ghani were killed the same day in a field outside Srinagar. Shaila was arrested in March 1992 Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen demanded his release in return for the hostage K. Doraiswamy, Executive Director of Indian Oil Company (IOC). After protracted negotiations, he was released on bail on August 20,1991, as soon as Doraiswamy was freed in South Kashmir. In March 1992 he was arrested by BSF from a Bemina hideout. Later he was reported to have escaped.

Shahid-ul-Islam: See "Islam - Shahid-ul" Shafqat-ul-Islam: See "Wani - Bashir Ahmed" Sheraf,Kuka: A senior member of JKLF,killed in an encounter on

December 24,1992 Sheikh, Muzaf fan Alias Javed Quereshi. See: Quereshi. Shams-ur-Rehman: A militant trained in Pakistan, was made Chief

Commander of a new outfit "Lashkar-e-Tayuba" set up in 1994-95. On June 29,1995, with 5 colleagues in an encounter with Security Forces in Badgam District, he was killed.

Shams-ul-Haq: Real name: GhulamMohd. Mir. He was a founder member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and was named its Ameer in 1991. In college he was a brilliant student and passed his M.A exam with distinction. He was also a member of Jamait-Islami for many years. In the Hizb he was incharge of Teaching'and Training Wing. In a gun battle with the Security Forces near Beerwah on December 16, 1993 he was killed alongwith 3 other colleagues.

Shoaib, 'General': Real name "Nissar Mohammed Gujari". He was made 'Patron' of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on September 23, 1991 on the arrest of the then Patron "General" Mousa.


Police alleged that he was one of the principal operatives involved in bomb blast in the Police HQ at Srinagar on January 24,1992 in which 5 top Police officers, including Director General, were seriously injured.

Sheikh, Mehraj-ud-Din: Alias "Din Katora". A resident of Maisuma, Srinagar- He pined xrmftam. Tanks in 199ft and got trained in handling of arms in Pakistan. On return he became a member of hardcore of JKLF. He took part in many operations and shuttled in an out of Kashmir frequently. In May 1998 he was reported to have returned from Nepal and as Military Adviser of banned JKLF was to regroup different factions for renewed activity. The Police on a trip off raided his hideout onjunel0,1998 and arrested him. Later Kashmir IGP Mr. P.S.Gill told press that Mehraj was allegedly involved in killings of many persons. According to IGP, Mehraj confessed his involvement in different crimes as under:

(a) Killing of Saifullah SHO Maisuma, with Yasin Malik, Rafiq Dar Nanaji, Manzoor Sofi.

(b) Killing of Lassa Koul, Director of Door Darshan Kashmir, with Showkat Bakshi and Amir (dead)

(c) Killing of Mohd. Yusuf Halwai, with Mushtaq Latrum. (d) Killing of IAF officials, with Yasin Malik, Rafiq Dar, Manzoor

Shalla, Showkat Bakshi and others. The IGP also said Mehraj had disclosed names of his associates as

Saleem Haroon, Dy. Chief JKLF, Rafiq Dar, Chief Commander, Altaf Qadir, Publicity Chief, among others.

Sheikh, Nazir Ahmed: Alias Miandad. Also known as Shahnawaz Publicity Chief of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was also incharge of an arms dump. According to Police, Nazir was responsible for many killings including one woman in 1996. He allegedly was involved in murder of Bilal Ahmed Beig alias Alva in 1996 in Srinagar. He was arrested in Srinagar in end of June 1996.

Shake en, Abm A Pakistani national. He headed Al Badr Coy of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In an encounter with Security Forces close to Srinagar - Baramulla Highway on November 13, 1998, he was killed after his group fired upon the BSF patrol.

Shahbaaz: A guerrilla fighter from Afghanistan. He was one of group of 15 mercenaries which was infiltrated from POK into Kupwara District in second week of August 1998. Next day in Jagarpora village the group was engaged by Armymen. He was one of 6 Afghans among 15 mercenaries who were killed.

Sheikh, Nazir Ahmed: An active member of "Kashmir Freedom Movement". In 1991 he was made Deputy Chief. He is alleged to have been responsible for abduction on October 26, 1990 and then killing of


BSF Inspector'Dharamvir Singh. Sheikh was arrested in Bombay on March 13,1991.

Sheikh, Wahid: A well known operative of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1993 he was made Military Adviser of the outfit. On December 30, 1993, he was arrested by Armymen, alongwith his bodyguard, from a hideout in Budgam District.

Sheikh, Saleem: Alias "Prince" A longtime member of JKLF. Allegedly killed Abdul Aziz Khan, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar on August 24,1990 according to challan presented to TADA designated court at Jammu. He was arrested in 1991.

Sheikh, Mohammed: Alias "Cobra". An activist of Ikhwan -ul-Musalmeen. In early 1992 he was promoted as a Battalion Commander. On November 9,1992 he was arrested.

Shah, Ahmed: Alias Bahadur Khan, Shayaryar alias " Bombaar" resident of Chattergul, in Sindh Valley. He was member of Al Burq outfit and rose to become its Deputy Chief Commander. Later he surrendered and joined mainstream politics. In September 1996 he contested Assembly election unsuccessfully as Janata Dal candidate. Later alongwith 9 associates he joined Hizb-ul- Mujahideen. In an encounter with Security Forces on June 14,1997 he was killed .

Sheikh, Abdul Hamid: See " Hamid - Sheikh Abdul" Shigan, Abdur Rehman: Alias "Inayat". A member of Hizb-ul-

Mujahideen. It is alleged that he was involved in the conspiracy to kill Mirwaiz Moulvi Mohd. Farooq. Police allege that Shigan with Mohd. Abdullah Bangroo and Mohd. Ayqub Dar went inside Mirwaiz residence in Nageen Bagh on May 21,1990. Mirwaiz did not know them but asked them to sit down and asked purpose of their visit. Bangroo fired first at close quarters and then Dar and Shigan also fired at Mirwaiz, Shigan and other two then left the house. An accomplice car was waiting oulside in which the assailants fled away.

Shah, Yusuf: Alias Abdul Rauf. A senior member of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen. He was launching Chief in 1993. The JUM Chief and others including him were holding a meeting on September 10,1993 when the BSF arrested him from the hideout.

Shah, Mohd. Abdullah: A front rank militant belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In 1997 be became its Financial Chief in Kashmir. On January 21,1998 the SOG of State Police arrested him from a village in Kupwara District.

Shirazi, Abbas: A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon. At the time of its reorganisation on July 8, 1995 he was made Commander for Pulwama District.

Shaf fi, Mohd.: Alias" HaroonRashid". An important member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who was made incharge of Srinagar - Jammu


Highway. As such he was responsible for many attacks on Security Forces vehicles. In an encounter on December 30,1993 he got killed..

Sheikh, Ghulam Mohd.: In 1991 he was the Adminstrative Officer, Jehlum Valley Medical College, Srinagar. It is alleged by police that he had been an active ISI agent since 1962 and in 1965 he was contacted by Maj Mansha of Pakistan Army Inteligence for organising disturbances in Kashmir Valley. He also liad meeting in April 1985 in Delhi with Mustafa Hussain Ali, Counsellor in Pak High Commission atJ whose instance Sheikh visited Rawalpindi for meetings with ISI officers. He also visited Nepal 3 times thereafter in 1991 to meet with ISI and those in the Pak High Commission. He is alleged to have received Rs. 6.5 lacs from Pak High Commission for setting up a shop in Kathmandu as a cover. In Delhi he is alleged to have received Rs. 14 lacs for Kashmir militants. He was arrested in Delhi on February 13,1992. According to CBI chargesheet presented in February 1993, before Add. Session Judge, New Delhi, he was charged with conspiracy for murder of HMT General Manager Khera and Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq in April 1990.

Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias "Jaan Kachroo". Was a member of Students Liberation Front. He was member of the group who conspired to allegedly abduct Kashmir University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq and Abdul Ghani in April 1990. Later Haq's body was found on a road, having been shot dead earlier. Mushtaq was later arrested along with others.

Sheikh, Zulf qan A militant who received training in Pakistan and rose quickly. In 1996 he was made Chief of "Al Jehad". SOG of J&K Police arrested him from a suburb of Srinagar on July 28,1997

Showkat, Ghazi: He was a Pak trained militant who rose quickly in the ranks of Al Burq and in 1996 he was promoted as its Chief Commander. In end of June 1997 he was arrested in Kupwara.

Sofi, Mitha: A very active member of Ikhwan-ul- Musalmeen since 1992. In 1996 he was named itg Chief. As such he also became an Advisor to J&K Islamic Front when that came into being late in 1995. On July 7, 1997 he as arrested by SOG from Srinagar.

Sofi, Ramzan: Alias "General Nissar" of Kupwara. An important activist who was arrested in Srinagar in June 1997.

Samadullah: A senior leader of Hizbrul-Mujahideen. In 1997 the ISI designated him Chief Commander in Pakistan and sent him across the LOC to take charge of Doda region. Because of severe pressure of the Security Forces, the 3 major militant outfits Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Harkat-uI-Ansar and Lashkaf-e-Toiba lay shattered and in low moral. H? was asked to regroup them ad coordinate their operations. I lowever, his plans did not succeed fully though he was able to aelivise them somewhat.


Shah, Sonaullah: Alias Zulfikar AH. Also known as Sultan and Maqbool to different people. An active militant since 1989. He started with Al - Barq. Then moved on to Hizb-ul- Mujahideen and shifted his loyalties to Harkat-ul-Ansar. In 1996-97 Pak ISI decided to float a new outfit Tehrik-ul-Jehad'. He was made its Chief and charged with task of recruiting cadres. He was a native of Kupwara District. He made frequent trips to Pakistan across the LOG While he was hiding in a houe in Trehgam in Kupwara District, the Police arrested him on December 15, 1997. His interrogation led Police to a big arms cache.

Shah, Lateef: Alias 'Bahadur Khan'. A resident of Chattargul village near Kangan in Sindh Valley. A prominent militant of the area who was Deputy Chief of AI-Burq outfit in 1995. In summer of 1996 he laid down arms and joined Janta Dal which put him up as its candidate from Kangan Constituency in Assembly elections in September 1996. He lost the election. He lived in Srinagar in Government accomodation with security provided. In early 1997 he disappeared leaving his PSO and a bulletproof Gypsy. On February 8, 1998 a strong blast blew up his residence at Chattargul in which five members of his family were killed. His brother Ghulam Qadir was taken in custody. However, there was no news of Lateef.

Sulaiman, Abu: Code name 'Ghaznavi'. A Pakistani national. Since 1991 he was active in Kupwara District. In 1996 he was made District Commander of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. He was involved in large member of killings and blasts in different parts of northern Kashmir. As such he was considered to be the longest surviving militants in this part of Kashmir. A party of Security Forces were combing Charmandi Magaot forest in Kupwara District on April 1,1998 when they came under intense fire. In the encounter Ghazanvi was killed. From his hideout large member of rifle grenades and grenade guns were recovered.

_ Saved, Irian: Alias 'Syed Abdullah'. A Pakistani national from Multan. A senior member of Lashkar-i-Toiba who had been operating in South Kashmir in 1997. In an encounter with Security Forces near Shopian on October 27,1997 he was killed.

Samavi, Hafiz Anwar: A senior leader of JKLF. Part of Amanullah Khan faction. In 1996 he was made Party Chief Organiser. He is based in Pakistan at Rawalpindi.

Sultan, Uman A Pakistani trained member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was made a Divisional Commander in 1997. In an encounter with Police in February 1998 he was killed. He was a founder Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Sofi, Mohd. Ramzan: A Pakistani trained militant and a senior member of Telrik-ul-Mujahideen where he was made Chief Organiser in 1997. In February 1998 in an encounter with Police he was claimed killed.

\


Shafqat-ul-Islam: Real name Bashir Ahmed Wani. See 'Wani'. Sarfaraz, Masood: A Pakistan national. In February 1998 the Pak ISI

nppointed him as Chief Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in place of Syed Salahudin (a Kashmiri) who seemed to have objected to ill treatment meted out to Kashmiri militants under training in Pakistan. The HUM cadres in Kashmir Valley still treated Salahudin as their Chief.

Saj jad: Alias 'Tariq'. A highly trained militant of JKLF. In early 1998 he was sen t by Amanullah faction from POK to take charge of operations in Poonch District. He was asked to coordinate with newly appointed party Convenor for Jammu region, Nissar Ahmed Mir. While they were conferring with some colleagues in a house in Faisalabad village near Surankote in Poonch District, Security Forces surrounded the house and in ensuing encounter on June 23,1998, Commander Sajjad and 6 others including Mir, wer killed.

Seera, Prof. Alpha: A Pak national from Islamabad. Code name of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen District Commander of Poonch, in first half of 1998. In an encounter with Armymen in Sangla area of Surankote (Poonch) on June 24,1998 he was injured but managed to escape. Three of his accomplices (Afghans) were killed—They were: Abdul Dindi, Tahir and 'Code 99'. J

Shah, Syed Shabir Ahmed: He is a well-known secessionist leader who became important during militancy because of his consistancy and sacrifice. He did not resort to gun. He was born on June 4, 1954 at Kadipora in Anantnag. He comes from a middle class family engaged in business. He had his schooling in Srinagar. In 1968 at young age of 14 he helped to set up Young Mens League which organised protests against the visit of Jai Prakash Narain. For this he was arrested and detained for 3 months. He joined Peoples' League in 1974. Alongwith Hamid Wani (S. Hamid). Ghulam Mohd. Hagroo, Mussadiq and Farooq Rehmani, he opposed Sheikh Abdul lah ' s Accord with Mrs Indira Gandhi . Subsequently for next 14 years he was in and out of jail. In early eighties he was made Chief of the Peoples League. In 1987 Assembly elections he was part of Muslem United Front (MUF). His brother Mohd. Syed Shall (MUF) won the Anantnag seat and was an active member of (lie Legislative Assembly till it was dissolved in February 1990.

On September 27,1989, he was arrested at Ramban. He was brought to Srinagar for detention. News of his arrest sparked off protests ond demonstrations. For the next 5 years he was detained in Srinagar, Jammu and in Tihar Jail at Delhi. During his incarceration he developed problems of heart, kidney, ear and foot, for which he was treated in Government Hospital at Jammu and AIIMS at New Delhi. He was released on September 30, 1994. He was given a rousing welcome through Dodo District and at Srinagar, on arrival.


In all he has completed 20 years in captivity and for this he is also called "Nelson Mandela of Kashmir". During his last detention he earned the distinction of being named by the Amnesty International, a "Prisoner of Conscience." He is the first and so for the only Kashmiri to have been so named.

He is not known to have wielded the gun and is considered to be moderate in his political views. Because of these reasons, when he was released in September 30,1994, there was hope and anticipation that some breakthrough on the political horizon in Kashmir may become possible. It is now known that twin pressures were built round him to ensure that he does not take any such step. The militant groups did not want the primacy of the gun to be reduced and the traditional leadership now mostly under the Hurriyat umbrella did not want him to steal the limelight. Gradually the lustre wore off and he was made part of the ineffective Hurriyat Conference. There also he tried his best to make it an effective forum but all his attempts were successfully frustrated. In December 1994 when he was invited to the General Council meeting of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, addressing the members, he suggested that all the constituents should dissolve themselves and join the Hurriyat Conference as equals. His proposal was to have one party with single objective of securing the Right of Self Determination for people of Jammu & Kashmir. It would have only one leader and have one constitution. He also suggested that the base of the Hurriyat Conference be broadened with representatives from Jammu and Ladakh region and also ensuring early return and security for all migrants especially Kashmiri Pandits, who had, left Kashmir in recent years. He further suggested a unified command for all the militant outfits. As was expected, the Shah proposal was not acceptable to the constituents. Termed as impracticable it was shot down primarily by the Jamait-i-Islami. It was pointed out that most of the constituents were religions, political, educational, social or professional bodies which would not end their existence to become * cyphers. Shah's proposals came to a nought.

He charted a different path when he criticised the Harkat-ul-Ansar move to ban the Amarnath Yatra in 1995 summer and asked Al Faran to release four hostages who were foreign tourists and had no political involvement.

He has been meeting Indian leaders and intellectuals in Delhi. He even met Atal Behari Vajpayee, a leading light of Bharatiya Janta Party. and the Leader of Opposition, in early 1996. Before Vajpayee became the Prime Minister, Shah had said that he would prefer Vajpayee to be the Prime Minister, than any other Indian leader. In Delhi he had meetings with Ambassadors of ninny foreign countries, both Western and Moslem. I Ie also mel Riaz Khokhnr, the Pakistan High Commissioner, at Delhi.


In May 1995, at New Delhi he had a meeting with Pakistan President, Sardar Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari, at which the Pak Foreign Minister, Sardar Aseef Mohd. Khan, was present.

Back in Kashmir, on April 18, 1996, he participated in march of 6 Hurriyat leaders to Badami Bagh Cantonment to ask Indian Army to quit Kashmir. He was disallowed, arrested but released in a few hours.

He spends a lot of time in Jammu. He has toured Doda, Poonch and Rajouri Districts of Jammu region and met a large member of people to get their views on Kashmir situation.

Former Prime Minister V.P. Singh met him at his Srinagar residence on May 22,1996. They discussed Kashmir situation for more them two hours. Later, at Delhi, V.P Singh said that he had made it clear to Shah that he did not agree with his demand for tripartite talks on Kashmir issue. "I told him that it was not a feasible option", Singh added.

The Hurriyat Conference did not take kindly to these independent actions of Shabir Shah. Differences widened between Shah and other members of the Hurriyat Conference.

When the announcement of the visit of the American Ambassador Frank Wisner to Kashmir was made in July 1996 the APHC decided not to meet him and discuss anything. Shabir Shah not only had a long meeting with him but also exchanged gifts. Later when US Senator Hank Brown came to visit Kashmir, Hurriyat again decided to boycott his visit. But Brown called on Shah and spent considerable time discussing Kashmir and proposed that secessionists'contest elections. On August 8, 1996 the Executive Committee of Hurr iyat Conference unde r Chairmanship of Mirwaiz Umar Farooq took decision to suspend Shah from AHPC for party indiscipline. Shah said he had no intention of replying to the charge of indiscipline. He said "I cannot close my doors for anybody if he comes to know about Kashmir and Kashmir problem". Shah said he would go ahead with his own way and if necessary "seek public verdict on my conduct". Shah criticised the working of APHC and said it had lost its basic purpose and that it was now a profit making body for some people with vested interests. Shah termed notice to him as a white-wash by some APHC leaders to "brighten their blackened face". Talking of his differences with Hurriyat he said these centred round return of migrants, inclusion of more and genuine parties to APHC and regular elections to APHC Executive Council. His perception is clear and his view are unambiguous. His views on important subjects :

"Liberation" struggle: It s not a 6-year old child. It had been going on since 19A7. The only new element is the introduction of the gun. The gun according to him had become an integral part of the liberation struggle but it has to be backed by a strong political niuveininit. The gun has given an edge to this movement.

Kashmir Underground

Alluding to the havoc played by the indiscriminate use of gun, he wanted it to be used properly and purposefully. He feels fake militants had started sabotaging the movement by indulging in un-Islamic acts. He alleged that the Indian intelligence had planted and promoted these fake militants. He is pained at the actions of such elements which defame the movement. According to him work of identifying and weeding out such elements had started and was bound to show results. He wants "convictional cadres of mujahids" to be created so that a new direction can be given to the liberation movement. Pakistan's assistance: He appreciates the moral and diplomatic support being given by Pakistan to the liberation movement. "What we need is political support all round to focus world attention on Kahmir". Right of Self Determination: He feels that the people of the State cannot be denied this right when it had the sanction of the international law and had been conceded by India 45 years ago. UN Resolutions: India had initially agreed to these Resolutions. Pakistan also after some hesitation agreed to them. Both the countries were obliged to withdraw their troops from Jammu & Kashmir as envisaged under the UN Resolutions. Dixon Plan: Since this envisaged partition of the State this is not an acceptable solution. This is yet another device to divide the people of the State. Ultimately what prevails is the will of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. This he feels was the rationale behind the Charter of American Freedom, also that of Indian freedom. Kashmiris were fighting not only for the cause of Kashmiris only but also for people of Jammu and Lad'akh. He wanted the people of these two regions to join the movement for furtherance of their love for the entire Jammu & Kashmir which he loves, to describe as their country. Solutions: He would like the UN Resolutions to be implemented. If any insurmountable hurdles is encountered then he proposes tripartite talks among India/ Pakistan and representatives of people of all parts of Jammu & Kashmir. "Pakistan is a party to the dispute and no talks can prove meaningful unless she is associated with it. We want a permanent settlement not a temporary arrangement", he has opined. Independence: as an option, he said that it is not provided in the UN Resolutions. "We will however, go by what the people have to say. The final verdict will lie with the eople of the State." About the alleged excesses of the Security Forces and abuses of human rights, he wanted these to be investigated independently.

Players and Caplains 381

He also wanted that the Security Forces should desist from such acts.

He reacted very strongly to reported suggestion made by Union Home Minister Inderjit Gupta in late August 1996 that a "Kashmir solution could be a bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir StateQater denied by Gupta). Talking to press at Srinagar on August 31,1996 Shah said this was a "concerted plan to create communal and regional polarisation in the State," This is fraught with serious consequences, he added. He declared that his colleagues and he would fight it to the last.

On May 12,1997 it was reported that Shoora-e-Jehad had asked Shah and some Hurriyat leaders to explain source of their income and the details of expenditure. Next day Shah denied that he had received any such letter. He said there was no question of his entertaining any such notice from a militant outfit.

When many militant outfits decided to ban the Yatra to Amarnath Cave between July 20 to August 22,1997, Shabir Ahmed Shah announced that his Peoples League would welcome the pilgrims. In statement on July 5, Shah said, "I would like to assure our Hindu brethern that they will be received warmly by my people. Camps will be set up enroute and refreshments will be made available."

His views on Kashmir Pandits return to the Valley were markedly different from other separatist leaders. He said, "The Kashmiri Pandits have been a vital part of our common heritage and must return to their homes in the Valley at the earliest."

Shah went to Calcutta in September 1997 to participate in the funeral of Mother Teresa. Paying tribute to Mother, Shah said it was great loss for the mankind. He described her as an "extremely precious gift of God to man."

Differences between him and most of the constituents of Hurriyat Conference had been developing for many months. While he was away to Calcutta and Delhi, the APHC Executive Committee expelled Shah after they failed to get his satisfactory reply regarding the funds he had collected and donations received by him which APHC claimed belonged to it.

Dissensions within his Peoples League had appeared from early 1997. His colleague Nayeem Khan had parted company earlier in the year. On October 18,1997 Shah announced that he was planning to launch a new political party with a new comprehensive programme. He also announced a plan to lead a protest march to HQ of UN military Observers Group in Srinagar on October 27 - the anniversary of landing of Indian troops in Srinagar in 1947. Shah was arrested by Police on October 22 and put under house arrest at his Srinagar rosidi'nce from whore ho was released a wook Inter.

382 Kashmir Undergroimd

The 43- year old bachelor had avoided marriage in his youthful years because he felt that he was wedded to such politics which took him to jail frequently. When he was admitted to GMC hospital at Jammu in 1993 he was being looked after by Dr.Bilkees Iqbal. This was beginning of their mutual liking which resulted in their marriage in November 1997 at Jammu.

He found the Kashmir resolutions passed by OIC at its Tehran meet in December 1997, inadequate. While commenting on them he said if the Moslem countries were " really sincere towards the Kashmir issue they must pressurise the Government of India at economic, political and diplomatic fronts."

Shah roundly condemned the Wandhama massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits by some militants on January 25,1998. He felt that the "killings cannot be executed by local militants as it directly affects their movement. We have doubts on some foreign mercenaries including AI Faran group." On February 2, he visited the GMC Hospital at Jammu to inquire about the condition of some Kashmiri Pandits who were injured in Police lathicharge previous day while they were protesting against government failure to protect Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir Valley. Shah was assaulted by some unidentified persons in which he was injured. He alleged that the assailants were "government agents."

There had been allegations that large amounts had been received by Shah as donations for the ongoing movement which had not been accounted for. On April 13,1998 Shah announced formation of a Trust to which he would transfer assets worth ten million rupees which he considered "amanat (held in trust) of the nation." According to him the trust money would be spent on the welfare of orphans, widows, destitutes and for the education of youth besides marriage of young girls. The corpus could be five million rupees in cash and 4 buildings in Srinagar and Jammu. Explaining the source of the collections Shah said, "Kashmiris living abroad had sent these donations for the (freedom) movement." He named Trustees including two from Jammu and one from Delhi Next day his erstwhile colleague Nayeem Khan severely criticised Shah for having declared only part of wealth allegedly accumulated as Party Chief. According to Khan, over 500 million rupees had been collected by Shah since eruption of militancy.

Being an active political being Shabir had been consuting many likeminded persons In Kashmir and some in Jammu for many months. On May 25, 1998 at a Press Conference at Srinagar he announced formation of a new organisation—Jammu & Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party. He said the political leaders in Kashmir had "failed to redress the grievances of the people with the result that social fabric has


been destroyed beyond recognition. We will work for permanent peace. We earnestly feel that there is serious need to review our course of action."

As he started activising his DFP, the confrontation with the Government increased. On July 8,1998 led by him DFP supporters staged a protest demonstration at Srinagar's Lai Chowk against alleged human rights abuses by security forces, the police dispersed them and arrested Shah and 22 others including some supporters from Jammu.

An erstwhile member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and later a co-founder of J&K Forum for Permanent Resolution of Kaslmiir Problem, Imran Rahi threw his lot with him and joined the DFP on July 17,1998. On July 27, Shah appealed to National Conference legislators to join him in solving the problems faced by the people.

While leading a motor rally on way to Bandipore on July 30,1998 Shah was arrested at Pattan but released later in the day. On August 6 while staging a sit-in strike at Anantnag town he and his supporters were arrested.

On August 7,1998 police prevented him from leaving his residence at Sanatnagar Colony of Srinagar. He had to cancel his visit next day to Uri, Karnah and Gurez areas. .

He had many sympathisers in Jammu City. To meet them and tcf interact with them he went o Jammu. On September 3, he was to address them in a hall. After he had addressed them some of this supporters outside became restive, shouted slogans. Police said it was an unlawful assembly and arrested Shah and some of his supporters. They were released in the evening.

The American music group known as "Black Star", on September 29,1998 released a music album of specially composed songs, in Japan, USA and Europe. The Album was dedicated to "Shabir Shah and the people of Kashmir—and oppressed people everywhere—do not be dismayed; justice is sure footed and in time may God grant us victory."

Like many Kashmiri leaders - pro-Indian and anti-Indian - Shabir Shah reacted strongly to Pakistani claim to speak for Kashmiris. In a statement on October 8,1998 he asked Pakistan to refrain from deciding on behalf of Kashmiris as the people of Jammu & Kashmir were the final deciding factor. "We are mature and sensible enough to speak on our behalf," Shah asserted.

In October in New Delhi he submitted a memorandum to the UN Representative Feodor Starcevic for being forwarded to UN Secretary General Kofi Anan. The memorandum demanded "immediate and serious international efforts to stop the alleged human rights violations ' in Kashmir." It also urged the Secretary General to use his good offices to work towards the overall abolition'and dismantling of all nuclear -weapons in the world. ' •


Shah decided to lead a protest march of his party workers from its headquarters to Lai Chowk in Srinagar's Civil Lines, on December 10, 1998—eve of World Human Rights Day. The Police stopped the marchers twice. Later, Shah alongwith many of his party activists were arrested but released later.

During his visit to Delhi in second week of January 1999, S.hah pleaded for peaceful resolution of "Kashmir dispute." He met many . political leaders and interacted with office-bearers of some organisations. He had cordial meetings with important members of "Friends of Kashmir" headed by Prof.A.M.Khusro. He urged them to help end miseries of Kashmiris. Before returning to Srinagar Shah met some foreign diplomats including the British Acting High Commissioner, Mr. Nicolos Wair.

Twentytwo innocent civilian in Rajouri and adjoining Udhampur District were shot dead by foreign militants on February 19,1999. Shah expressed his shock and resentment on these massacres. In a statement at Srinagar on February 21,1999 Shah said, "The people who have carried out these acts should be caught and punished severely. One thing is certain, the perpetrators of this act are foreigners in Jammu & Kashmir, enemies of people and are not welcome here. They should leave our land and take away their barbarism with them." Continuing he said, "If they wish to kill my countrymen, they should kill me first." He called upon the international community to take serious note of violence in Jammu & Kashmir.

Tba Trasfc feafe ha ronouxrcad OT» Apsil \% 199S to prcwwSfi rel\a5 to people who had suffered during militancy, failed to take off. In March 1999 he decided to give relief to deserving people. On March 24 and 25 at Budgam and Srinagar respectively he distributed five million rupees to nearly 1200 families. These included survivors of the infamous Sangrampura massacre of March 22,1997 in which 7 Kashmiri Pandits had been killed. He disclosed that next phase will include those from Baramulla, Pulwama and Anantnag Districts. The third phase will include Kashmiri migrants in Jammu region.

Tajmul-ul-Islam, Sheikh: One of the earliest secessionist leaders. Even in 1980 he was President of the Islamic Jamait-i-Tulba. In March 1980 he had stated publicly that Indian Army had "captured Kashmir". On August 5,1980 he told the press that Kashmiris did not want to be part of India and would create conditions for an Islamic revolution like Iran. He said he stood for plebiscite and right of self determination for Kashmiris because he considered Accession to India, a conspiracy and a fraud. He said he wanted to enforce Nizam-i-Mustafa (Islamic society) in Kashmir.


After the Party was banned on April 16,1990, he went underground. Tajmul-ul- Islam, Syed: An important member of 'Al Burq'_. In

1991 he was made the "Ameer-i-Tanzeem" - Chief of the Organisation. Two of his brothers who were party activists were killed in encounters -Syed Showkat Ali and Syed Muzamil. In November 1991 he condemned abduction as counter productive.

Tariq, Abu: A member of Al Mustafa Liberation Fighters. Rose rapidly and in 1991 became its Patron.

Tari, Mohammed Abdullah: A member of Tehreek-ul- Mujahideen. In 1992 he was made a District Commander. A few months later he was arrested.

Tayub, Maulana Abu: A member of Harkut-i-Jehad-i-Islami when this group and Harkut-ul-Mujahideen decided to merge and form Harkut-ul-Ansar on December 23,1993, Tayub was made its Chief..

Timur, Malik Mohammed: Also known as Mohd. Akram. Was associated with Al Barq formed in early 1991 in Kashmir by ISI. In October 1995,, he was made the Chief Commander. From Rawalpora locality of Srinagar he was arrested on March 14,1996.

Tipu, 'Col' .: A member of JKLF. When the party split in September 1995, he sided with Shabir Ahmed Sidiqui (Amanullah faction). He was made District Commander for Baramulla. He was one of those who were killed on March 24,1996, when this group tried to force their entry into Hazratbal Shrine.

Turki, Hamid: A member of Harkut-ul-Ansar. Later was made incharge of the Al Faran group which abducted in July 1995, 6 foreign tourists form Lidderwat area.

On December 4, 1995 in an encounter with a Rashtriya Rifles detachment in Dabran village near Anantnag town, he was killed with 4 of his colleagues.

Tramboo, Abdul Rouf: A militant of standing and member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He worked as its Finance Chief for over two years till he was arrested on August 6,1998 from his bunglow in Hyderpora, Srinagar.

Tramboo, Gulzar Ahmed: Alias "Khalid Baloch" - See Baloch. Tantray, Mohd. Maqbool: An experienced militant of Hizb-ul-

Mujahideen. Since 1995 he operated in Lolab area of Kupwara District. In 1996 he was made District Administrator of Kupwara. In a search operation in the rural area on June 15,1997 he was killed in an encounter by Security Forces.

Tahir, Abu: A member of Harkat-ul-Ansar who was deputed for operations in Doda District. He surrendered to Doda Police on February 15,1998.

Teli, Irs had Ahmed: Belonging to Khanpora in Baramulla. After receiving his training in a camp in Pakistan he joined Hi/bullah group and was assigned tasks in northern Kashmir. Gradually he climbed up

386 Kashmir Underground .

and hi 1997 he became Acting Chief. Kashmir Police was able to arrest him from Handwara area on March 5,1998. Some pistols and grenades were recovered from him.

Tariq, Mohammed: Alias Abu Shahid. A Pakistani national from Bhawalpur. He was part of Lashkar-i-Toiba group which was trapped in Shopian town on July 15,1998 and killed in encounter with Army.

Tantray, Farooq Ahmed: Also known as "Moulvi". He was Hizb-ul-Mujahideen expert in explosives and IEDs. He was active between 1995 and 1999 and was close confidante of HUM Divisional Commander Sharief-ud-Din. He had organised a number of landmine blasts in Anantnag District in three years before his death. Both of them had taken refuge in village near Bijbehara and were killed in an encounter with Security Forces on February 23,1999.

Toofani, Masood: A Pakistani national from Baluchistan- A member of Harkat-ul-Jehad -i-Islami who infiltrated into Rajouri District in early 1998. He was totally committed having been trained by Dawat-ul-Arshad. Academy. He headed a group under Area Commander Abbas Firdaus. In an encounter in Darhal area of Rajouri District on August 12,1998. Firdaus and Toofani both got killed.

Ubaid, Abu: An experienced activist of Harkut-ul-Ansar. He was appointed Chief Commander of the outfit on February 20,1996 after the incumbent Sikander Khan was killed on February 16,1996 while handling a landmine in a vacant house.

Umar Khalid: An important member of "Operation Balakote" outfit. Alongwith others he was holed up inside the Hazratbal Shrine from October 15,1993 to November 16,1993. Alongwith Idris of JKLF he was one of two principal negotiators on behalf of holed up militants. With his arms he surrendered on November 16,1993.

Umar, Qasim: A member of Hizbullah outfit. In the reorganization announced on November 25,1995, he was made Divisional Commander for South Kashmir and Doda District.

Usman, Mohammed: Alias "Kaka Kotwal". A member of good standing of Moslem Janbaz Force. In September 1995, he was made MJF Chief in place of Babar Badr who had developed differences with his party colleagues.

Usmani , Tufai l : An active member of Hizbullah. When reorganisation was announced on November 25, 1995, he was made Divisional Commander for Jammu region.

Usman Majid: Real name Abdul Majid. See Majid

Wakoori, Shafat: A resident of Wakoora village near Gnnderbal. Hi* became an activist ol I Iizb-ul-Mujahideen in 199]. By 1993 he had

1


become a District Commander. On February 11,1993 he allegedly killed in Wakoora, 7 persons including a Kashmiri Pandit teacher, who had stayed on, after others had left. Two others he had "arrested" bought their freedom by paying ransom of Rs. 20,000 each. He was alleged to have killed in all 6 persons. He was also alleged to have cut down or sold 90 big standing Chinar trees in Ganderbal area. His fellow villagers believe that he was arrested in Jammu January 1997.

Waseem, Uman A Pakistan mercenary from Baluchistan. He came to Kashmir as member of Harkat-ul-Ansar and operated mostly in forest areas of Kupwara District. On June 4,1998 he was killed in an encounter with A'rmymen after his hideout was raided at Dudipur in Rajwar area.

Wangroo, Zahid Ali: Alias Nazir - An active militant member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was named a Coy. Commander for a Srinagar sector in early 1998. However in late June 1998 he was arrested.

Wani, Abdul Majid: Alias "Gazi Mohd. Ilyas". A founder member of Allah Tigers. As Commander-in-Chief of the outfit he announced on October 8,1991, its merger with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Wani, Ashfaq Majid: A pioneer of the secessionist movement. A founder member of the Islamic Students League which came into being in 1986. One of the four members of HAJY group which laid the foundation in Kashmir Valley of JKLF. He was involved allegedly >ih conspiracy to abduct Dr. Rubiya Sayeed in December 1989. He also was one of two principal militant negotiators with Government and later secured release of 5 top party activist in detention in exchange for Rubiya. Police alleges that Pistol fired by Showkat Baksbi to kill Lassa Koul (Director Doordarshan) on February 13,1990, was given by him. He also conveyed instructions from Amanullah Khan, Chairman JKLF from New York to kill Koul. Wani was then Chief Area Commander for Srinagar.

On March 30,1990 while he was preparing to hurl grenade on a BSF party, it exploded killing him on spot.

Wani, Farooq Ahmed: A senior member of J&K Peoples' League. In 1991 he was made Secretary of the organisation. He was arrested on October 4,1992.

Wani, Bashir Ahmed: Alias Shafqat-ul-Islam". A senior member of Hizbullah. He was made its Acting Chief in early 1994. On September 22,1994 he was killed by Security Forces while he was riding a motorbike on a Srinagar street. He was signalled to stop, instead,he tried to speed away. His companion riding behind him was arrested.

Wani, Dr. Mohd. Afzal: A pro-Pak political activist. When J&K Liberation Council was sft up on August 1,1992 he was named Head of Council's Human Rights and Medical Wing.

Wani, Giiulam Rasul: Alias "Khadim". A political activist when the J&K Liberation Council was formed he was named I lead of its


Political Cell on August 1,1992. His work was appreciated and when J&K Islamic Front was formed by Hilal Beg in June 1995 he became an important member. After Sajjad Kenno and Hilal Beg were killed in 1996, he was made the Chief Coordinator of this organisation whose Patron, Bilal Beg was functioning from across the LOC. Wani used to receive his directions from Beg and implement those in Kashmir. He was sent to Iran where he received advance training in subversion. On his return to Kashmir, he was nominated as JKLF representative on Shoore-e-Jehad -a militant alliance.

Kashmir Police arrested him from a hideout in Srinagar City on January 24,1997.

Wani, Javed Ahmed: Alias Raja. A Pak trained Hizb militant. He , was reportedly involved in many militancy related crimes including , killings and launching of grenades at busy places. He was arrested from Srinagar in June 1998. Four of his HUM associates who were charged with revival of militancy in Srinagar City, were also arrested. Large quantities of arms, ammunition, wireless sets etc., were recovered from the 5 militants.

Wani, Mohd. Sayed: A Battalion Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. A resident of Khanyar, Srinagar. He was arrested by Police on August 23,1998 and during interrogation he confessed that he had taken part in attacks on many mainstream political activists in Srinagar City. ,

Wani, Farooq Ahmed: Alias 'Abu Jabar'. A member of Lashkar-i-Toiba. In mid - 1998 he was made in Srinagar District its Launching'

• Commander. Kashmir Police arrested him on December 30,1998. Wani, Dr Ghulam Qadin Resident of village Erin near Bandipore

on the banks of Wular Lake. A boy who was adopted by Jamait leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, became a staunch activist of JEI. A graduate of Sopore College he got his doctorate in Urdu from Jawahar Lai Nehru University, New Delhi. He edited Jamait's official organ, "Azaan" for many years and later became editor of Urdu daily "Uqaab". He strongly opposed Sheikh-Indira Accord of 1975. Unsuccessfully he contested Assembly elections in 1977 as Jamait candidate. In later 1980s he fell out with Jamait leadership. He was one of the founders of MoslemJJnited Front (MUF) in 1987 and was made its General Secretary. After elections he was detained for a few months. By now he was established as an idealogue of secessionist thought and used his powerful pen to further it. When militancy erupted in 1990 he joined JKLF and was made its Publicity Chief. He soon developed differences with its leaders and left it to join an alliance of militant outfits - Teh riq-e-Hurriyat-i-Kashmir. In 1991 he went over to Pakistan. As a Kashmir secessionist leader ,


Pakistan sent him to Europe and USA as also UEA to plead Pakistani case on Kashmir. At a London seminar on Kashmir he found that different countries were using Kashmir problem to further their own national interests. He flew back to Delhi in 1997 and was arrested. Soon he was released and he returned to Kashmir. He gave up secessionist politics and cult-of violence. He came back to live in his village and engaged himself in social work.

On November 4, 1998 unidentified armed militants entered his village home and killed him and his niece. There was widespread anger and resentment on his killing by militants.

Ward, Mohd. Yusuf: A trained militant. In 1993 he was made a Divisional Commander in the Moslem Janbaaz Force. On July 8,1993 the Security Forces arrested him alongwith 3 other Divisional Commanders and its Chief Recruiter.

Wani, Naseer Ahmed: A senior activist of Moslem Janbaaz Force. Also known as "Dawood Jabbar". He was made Jammu Provincial Chief in 1995. He was close to the erstwhile Chief Babbar Badr. When in February 1996, Babbar opted for dialogue with Delhi, Wani with 13 other associates decided to support him. This announcement was made on February 27,1996.

Wani Rafiq: A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. He was allegedly involved in abduction (April 6, 1991) and killing on April 10, 1990 of HX. Khera, Gen. Manager, HMT Factory, on Srinagar outskirts. CBI presented a challan in this regard in the TADA designated court at Jammu on August 1,1991.

Wani, Jan Mohammed: A youngman who became a militant in 1992. In 1995 he became a member of Al-Fateh Force and in 1996 was made a Battalion Commander. The BSF was able to arrest him, soon after.

Wani, Saleem: A senior member of little known Al Mustafa Liberation Fighters. In 1991 he was made the Chief of the group. Alongwith 7 of his colleagues, Wani was arrested on December 5,1991 from Poshwan village near Trehgam in Kupwara District.

Waseem, 'Col ' : A member of JKLF. When the party split in September 1995, he threw his lot with Sxdiqui faction under leadership of Amanullah Khan. He was part of Sidiqui faction squad which was fully armed and tried to force its entry into the Hazratbal Shrine on March 24,1996. In the encounter with J&K Police's SOG, he was one of 7 militants who were killed. At that time he was described as Budgam District Commander.

Waza, Abdul Ahad: Asenior leader of JKLF. I las been in and out of jail a member of limes, lie was arrested first in March 14W. I \o was released in October 1993.


He was highly critical of the lavish expenditure on erecting welome gates and festive meals that were arranged by different militant groups when Shabir Ahmed Shah was released from 4 year incarceration on September 30, 1994 and motored through Doda District and Kashmir Valley before reaching Srinagar. In a statement on November 6,1994 he severely criticised Shah for wasting precious funds for celebrations on his release. He said that "large number of persons including widows, orphans and children who have sacrificed their near and dear ones in the path of Azadi needed to be assisted materially." Waza criticised Shah for not having mentioned in his reception speaches anything of oppression by Security Forces to crush the ongoing movement.

Waza was critical of Shah for having shown his concern over the plight of Kashmiri Pandits but did not mention the "miseries and sufferings faced by Kashmiri moslems.

The statement described the gun as symbol of the ongoing movement. According to him the gun alone had caused a flutter in New Delhi while lectures, public meetings and processions had not had any effect. • Waza was opposed to fundamentalism and wanted India and

Pakistan to respect Kashmiris urge for independence. In a statement on January 10, 1997 he decried attempts by some elements to denounce demand for Independence as uxi-lslamic.

Wani, Shams-ud-Din: Alias Shabir. A senior member of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. On return from visit to Pakistan he was appointed as Divisional Commander for Doda District. He was asked to coordinate with LET Commander Khatib Bhai but declined and got into trouble with his superiors.

Wani, Tariq Ahmed: Alias 'Shahji'. A Pakistan trained militant who rose quickly to be made the 'Ameer-e-Aala' - Chief Commander - of Kashmir of Harkat-ul-Ansar whose controlling headquarter was in Pakistan. After Abu Turab HUA Chief was killed in 1996 Shahji took his place and guided outfit's operations in Kashmir. He also represented his group on the militant alliance "Shoora-e-Jehad". His radio call sign was "01". He was very daring and had made a dramatic attempt to smuggle components of a wireless system into New Delhi's Tihar Jail so as to provide a facility to another detained Harkat Commander Sajaad Afghani to enable him to communicate with ISI in Pakistan.

Kashmir Police arrested him from his Srinagar residence on February 17,1998. Next clay he was taken to Ganderbal area for effecting recovery of hidden arms. While returning the party was fired upon by IIUA militants, hi the encounter Stiakji tried to escape and was shot dead. The militants however insisted that he was killed in custody.

Police alleged that he played major role in reorganising militant cadres in Ganderbnl - Safnpur belt and renctivising them. Investigation


had revealed that massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits at Wandhama, Ganderbal on January 26,1998, was a joint operation mounted by Harkat-ul-Ansar and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Wani, Fayaz Ahmed: Alias " Sikander Azam". A senior member of the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit. In 2992 he was named Chief of Pulwama District. In third week of December 1992 in an encounter with Security Forces he was killed.

Wani, Hilal Ahmed: A former militant who in August 1996, formed a body called "Jammu & Kashmir Realistic Front". After Indian and Pakistan nuclear tests in May 1998, he pleaded with two countries to start a dialogue to iron out differences because nuclear and other weapons will not solve any problem, instead destroy both the countries.

Wani, Mohd. Ramzan: Alias Aijaz. Resident of Dadsar, Tral in Pulwama District. Known to be the District Administrator of Hizb'-ul-Mujahideen in early 1998. On a tip off the State Police arrested him from a hideout near Shalimar Garden on June 14,1998. When he was leading them to an arms dump on the Airport Road, this party came under fire of an ambush party. In the encounter Wani was killed. Jainait-i-Islami however said he was not a militant and was killed in custody. JEI claimed him to be a religious preacher and a member of Jamait's Central Advisory Council.

Yawar, Salman: Alias "Nikka Bhai". An active member of JKLF. In the party split in September 1995, he sided with Sidiqui faction (Amanullah group). He was promoted as Deputy Chief Commander. When a group of armed militants of this faction was directed to force its entry into Hazratbal Shrine on March 24,1996, he was one of them. Within minutes of the action he was killed by Special Operations Group of J&K Police.

Yusuf, Mohd.: Alias "Sheikh Sikander". A senior member of Al Umar Mujahideen. In 1994 he was made organisation's Deputy Chief. In 1995 he left Al Umar to join Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon.

Yusuf, Mohammed: Alias "Muzamil". A senior member of Al Jehad. In 1995 he was promoted as Divisional Commander. On July 3,-1995 he was killed in Srinagar in exchange of fire with Security Forces. Al Jehad however contested this and claimed that he was killed in custody-after he was arrested.

Yatoo, Mohd. Sharief: Alias 'Karate'. An activist of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He was arrested in 1991 and detained in Sub-jail at Kot Bhalwal near Jammu. Soon after along with 11 other inmates he made an unsuccessful attempt to escape.

Yusuf, Mehmood: A Pakistani national from Hazara. After thorough training he was inducted into Harkat-ul-Ansar and infilterntrd


into Kashmir Valley in 1997. In an encounter in Goagal in Lolab Valley in Kupwara District, with Armymen on August 16,1998 he was killed alongwith another militant.

Zaffar-ul-Islam: An active member of Moslem Janbaaz Force. In April 1993 he was made uncharge of Publicity.

Zargar, Javed Ahmed: A senior member of JKLF. A TADA detenue in Udhampur Jail in March 1996. His trial was notified to be conducted in Rajasthan but was challenged . In April 1998, J&K High Court was told by Govt, that he would be now tried by TADA designated court at Jammu in CBI case.

Zargar, Mohd. Salim: Alias "Fayaz". A member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. Allegedly involved in conspiracy to kidnap (April 6,1990) H.L. Khera and to kill him (April 10, 1990). CBI presented a challan against him in TADA designated court at Jammu on August 1,1991.

Zaman, Er. Mohd.: Belongs to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In early 1996, he was South Kashmir Divisional commander. On February 27,1996 he pledged to continue to "fight to the finish.".

Zargar, Iqbal: Alias "Bitta Ledri". A wellknown member of Al Umar Mujahideen. In early 1992 he was Deputy Chief of the organisation. When the acting Chief, Mohd.Yasin Bhat was arrested in April 1992 he was made officiating Chief. When the J&K Police launched its "Operation Tiger", Iqbal was killed in an encounter on September 3,1992.

Zargar, Mushtaq Ahmed: Alias "Latrum" (one who roams around recklessly) Born in 1966 he had little formal education. For many years he was connected with AAC. He was one of the first to be trained in Pakistan. When he returned to Kashmir he was made Chief of Al Umar Mujahideen with about 600 strength in June 1990. The police put 4 lac prize on his head and that shows his importance. He was arrested on May 15,1991 from Rajouri Kadal area of downtown Srinagar. First he was lodged in Jammu Central Jail,but he was shifted to Delhi's Tihar Jail in September 1993 During interrogation he had disclosed that he was specialy trained in Muzaffarabad for high security subversion and to fire LMG and AK rifles. In Jammu Jail he had been asked why he had taken to gun he said," When we were betrayed by Kashmiris themselves, what other choice did we have."

On February 1, 1993 he was made political Chief of AUM. In 1995 he filed an affidavit that Tihar Jail authorities tried to force him to attend Republic Day celebrations in 1994 against his will.

In February 1998 he was shifted from Delhi's Tihar Jail to JIC at Janimu. His brother Fayaz Ahmed and sister Tanveer were allowed to meet him on June 3, 1998. They told Press that Mushtaq was in poor health. They asked the authorities to shift him to Srinagar.


Earlier, Nazir Ahmed Ronga, President of Kashmir Bar Association, Srinagar, was allowed consultations with Zargar regarding his petition for sliifting Zargar to Srinagar in view of his health. The petition was dismissed on October 26,1998 by the High Court.

Zain-ul-Abdin: A Pakistan trained militant. Joined Al Feteh early. In late 1995 he was made its Commander.

Zain-ul-Abdin: See Sidiqui, Farooq Ahmed. Zargar, Shabir Ahmed: Alias "Braroo" (cat-like). A senior member

of Moslem Mujahideen. When the party split in January 1995, he sided. with faction led by Bilal Sidiqui which wanted to continue the armed struggle. Before the year end he was made Acting Supreme Commander.

On February 6,1996 he expelled from organisation leader of other faction, Ghulam Nabi Azad who was for participation in Parliamentary election in May 1996.

Zubair, Mohd.: Also called "Malik". Belongs to Muzaffarbad (POK). He crossed over to Kashmir in 1991 and took part in many actions organised by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. In October 1993 he was holed up inside Hazratbal Shrine. Alongwith with his arms he surrendered on November 16,1993. In January 1994 he was pushed back into POK across LOC. He was part of Jamait-ul-Musalmeen outfit. In Kashmir he was alleged to be on payroll of ISI receiving Rs. 2000 every month.

Zulkarnain: Code name See Mir, Nissar Ahmed. Zamaan, Uman A Pakistani national. A senior member of Lashkar-

I-Toiba. He was killed on December 30,1997 in an encounter with SF in Panzwani forest in Kupwara District which foT past 3 years was known a "Chotta Afghanistan".

Zubair, Abu: A tall swarthy Sudanese mercenary. A veteran of Afghan war and a member of Lashkar-e-Toiba. He infiltrated across LOC into Poonch District in early 1997. By his strength and reputation of consumpation of about 5 kgs of mutton at one meal he had created a scare in the area. Between April and September 1997 he had killed a dozen persons by slitting their throats and bleeding them to death. According to one report, "on July 15 he entered a house of a local armyman in Surankot, made absent soldier's wife Razia lie on the ground and severed her head with the sword . He also beheaded wife of Arif Mohammed and similarly tortured and killed his son later." He always left headless torsos behind taking the severed heads as trophies to be displayed elsewhere. Zubair was also Incharge of recruitment and launching of militants from POK to this area and then on to Kashmir and Doda. He was on wireless communication with ISI L.L.Colot\el Snyed based at Kotli in POK. The Army troops following him located him in Senail village near Surankot on Novemeber 2,1997. In the encounter he was shot dead.


Zargar ,Tariq Ahmed : Alias Nikka Zargar. A Pakistani trained militant who joined Al Burq on return from training. He was its Divisional Commander in early 1998. The police arrested him on May 20,1998.

Zubair, Khalid: After Amanullah Khan reorganised his JKLF group in Kashmir Valley in early 1998,he appointed Khalid as JKLF Chief Commander of Operations. Under his direction, on October 6,1998 the office of the Urdu Daily " Afaaq" in Srinagar was attacked and ransacked. Next day he claimed that JKLF wanted Kashmir Press to be "totally free". "Our war is against the slavery of pen," he said.

Zubair, 'Col': Real name is Mohammed Aslam. See Aslam.

Violence

There is violence everywhere •Peace here.is nowhere Anger and fear is on everyone's face But smiles 'n laughters are on no one's fate.

Everywhere the blood is shed For weeks some one are not fed Hatred is in everyone's heart But love is in no one's heart

O! Dear friends some thing must be dona To bring the peace once again So that we will have that fun again.

IRAM QAIYUM RAFIQI (The Daily Excelsior - April 4,1993)

4

Unlawful Organisations

In 1987-89 many organisations in Kashmir Valley had been preaching and promoting secession of J&K state from Indian Union. They also indulged in acts of terrorism and violence off and on. The State Government did not consider it necessary to declare them unlawful and ban their functioning. Even after Mr. Jagmohan as Governor took over the administration on January 19,1990, he did not ban their activities till April 16,1990. On that day 6 separate Notifications were issued from Srinagar by the Home Department of Jammu & Kashmir Government declaring under J&K Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983 the following organisations as unlawful associations :

1. Jamait-I-Islami J&K 2. Islamic Students League 3. Islamic Jamait-I-Tulba 4. Mahaz-I-Azadi 5. Peoples League 6. Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front

None of the banned organisations either protested or contested the promulgation of the Notifications. Only JKLF thought it of using this opportunity to propagate its stand and make known widely its ideology and objectives. Its Chairman, Mohd. Yasin Malik, who was in Central Jail at Agra (UP) sent a long statement in April 1991 to the Tribunal set up by Government to hear any objection about the ban. The Statement made it clear that JKLF did not submit to the jurisdiction of the Tribunal nor did it admit the charges. Yasin Malik did not cooperate with the Tribunal other than send the statement. The JKLF later published it as a small book under the title "Our Real Crime". The Tribunal confirmed the ban. This ban expired after two years. A fresh Notification was issued by the Government of India (since J&K State was under President's rule) declaring JKLF an unlawful organisation from February 18,1992 for a two-year period. This was extended for a period of two years again from February 18, 1994. The Union Government again issued a Notification on March 28,1996 extending it for 2 years. And yet again on February 18, 1998 it was extended for 2 more years by a new

Unlawful Organisations 397

Notification issued by the Central Government (under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act 1967). The Tribunal confirmed the ban on August 14,1998.

The Home Department of J&K Government under Jammu & Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, declared as unlawful organisations,

' by two separate Notifications on September 18,1996 : 1. Harkat-uI-Ansar (HUA) 2. Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HUM)

The texts of the Notifications are given as Annexures.

Terrorism - A Vicious Trap

Terrorism is a stigma on society It arouses fear and anxiety. Terrorism is driven by heinous elements, Liberty of masses it torments.

Unemployed youth fall in its stratagem It further aggravates the problem. Gruesome killings, the terrorists indulge in, Sheer acts of inhumanity and sin.

National progress is hampered by terrorism This is aired by religious fanaticism Terrorist wield deadly ammunitions. And ruthlessly ruin societies and nations.

When will their ways, the terrorists mend When will the dastardly act come to an end Let's find an amicable solution, To end this chaos and commotion.

VIKRANT MAHAJAN (The Kashmir Times)

5

Foreign Guests

In the first two or three years of open insurgency in Kashmir, there was no evidence of any marked presence of foreigners except as a few fraternal Pakistanis and Afghans assisting and guiding the local outfits.

It is now clear that ISI of Pakistan had changed its strategy a number of times during this period when the tempo of the Kashmiri secessionist movement was rising. After the ground had been prepared in the Valley in the second half of the Eighties, ISI decided to give full and unequivocal support to the JKLF but soon realised that it was neither sound policy nor would suit Pakistan's long term objective. It started promoting parallel groups. Some of them were dissatisfied elements of the JKLF and others were from the large number of Kashmiri youths who had crossed over from the Valley in the first few months of 1990 with the t. first flush of success. For a few months ISI watched this experiment <

carefully and evaluated it rather closely. The Kashmiri militant leadership did not measure up to ISI standards like the Afghan mujahideen had done earlier. According to them the Kashmiris were not able to stand upto the Indian Security Forces and needed backup and direction in action.

The other development was more urgent and overawing. There were over 3 mn Afghan refugees in Pakistan and with Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, Pakistan was keen that a majority of them should return home for they had created numerous problems, economic, political, administrative, social and ethnic. Then a large number of Afghan mujahideen and the foreign mercenaries who had been invited, hosted, trained, equipped and then deployed by ISI, had finished the job in Afghanistan and "had to be used elsewhere". It was like creating a Frankenstein who would destroy the creator if not kept busy elsewhere. ISI decided to kill two birds with one stone. They devised a plan under which large number of them were to be located in semi-permanent settlements in sparsely populated areas of POK. A few thousand selected out of them were to be sent across the LOC, into Kashmir to virtually take charge of the different outfits. These were the ones who had been trained in the Markaz-I-Dawnar Al Irshaad. Its headquarter is near Lahore and controls ami directs three main training centres, tine each in


Pakistan, POK and Afghanistan. Intensive indoctrination, philosophy of Jehad, training in handling arms both conventional and sophisticated, and subversion form part of schedule of training in these centres. It was reported that 35 experienced experts from Libya in terrorism instruction had been got on loan by ISI.

Markaz-I-Dawaar Al Irshaad holds an annual convention with congregation of about30,000 including delegations from about 20 muslim countries. Many Kashmiri militants attend these conventions and make direct contacts with leading foreign terrorist organisations.

Near Peshawar is located a large training establishment called "Maktaba-I-Khidmat" which was described by the New York Times as the "University of Jehad". This is where recruits are brought for indoctrination and training. They come from all over, Palestine, Arab countries, Algeria, Bosnia and Kashmir included. This training centre was run and directed by Abdullah Azam - a fiery fundamentalist orator - to start with.

Spearheading the Azadi movement in Kashmir in 1989 was the JKLF which enjoyed full backing and support of Pakistan's ISI. Soon it was realised by ISI that JKLF may become strong and popular in Kashmir and may no longer accept its overlordship. Primarily on account of that, ISI decided to promote other outfits. By 1992 the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen emerged as the strongest outfit. It was fully under ISI control. It was directed by it and totally provided for by ISI. Not wanting to face a situation in Kashmir where any outfit could stand up and confront or defy it, the ISI helped start scores of new organisations - big or small. Some were fractions which broke away from existing outfits. The most important problem faced by ISI was that most of these groups were ideologically not prepared to toe the Pakistani line. They also were not bold and tough as good, guerillas should be.

In 1991 a few foreign militants were sent by ISI to Kashmir as "fraternal colleagues" to assist the Kashmiri youth. In 1992 many more came as guest militants. But in 1993 two groups were inducted in Kashmir valley by Pakistan. These were : Harkat-ul-Mujahideen and Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami. Among them were veterans of Afghan war, from Sudan, Lebanon, Algeria, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Yemen. These two Harkat groups also set up a couple of training camps in remote jungle areas. The Security Forces found a well-equipped training camp run by Harkat-ul-Jehad-e-Islami at Kapran in Anantnag district in November 1993.

About this time these two organisations merged in Pakistan to form Harkat-ul-Ansar. This pattern was followed in Kashmir as well, where a Pakistani national Maulana Masood Azhar was asked to take control. In the meantime the stand-off at Hazratbal Shrine had ended peacefully

Foreign Guests 401

and all 62 militants" holed up inside, surrendered meekly to the Indian Army. This provided another reason to ISI to send more foreign mercenaries to lead most of the outfits and thus overshadow the local Kashmiri militants whom ISI was increasingly distrusting.

The ISI had been studying and assessing the end results of the actions and exploits of the Kashmiri militants operating under different outfits. They seemed to be "thoroughly dissatisfied" with the casualties they were able to inflict. The number of personnel of Indian Security Forces killed or injured seriously was not commensurate with their "investment" in number of trained militants who had been provided with unlimited supply of latest and sophisticated arms. Besides, they enjoyed "massive support" in Kashmir. The ISI felt that in contrast, the casualties suffered by militants were proportionately higher than should be. The ISI then decided that militants should be inducted from outside - they would be inbred with a sense of purpose, steeped in spirit of Jehad, bolder and not afraid either to kill or be killed. They were highly motivated fanatics bred on verses of Koran and fired by the concept of Urnmah - an Islamic world that does not recognise borders and frontiers.

A leading secessionist leader Abdul Ghani Lone has said "We would welcome them because they have come to help us in our cause".

The UN Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) in April 1996 described a mercenary as follows: ,\p

"A mercenary is neither a hero nor the consummate romantic^ guerilla, but a criminal whose acts are associated with violent crimes against life. The States and society must become aware of, prevent, punish and morally condemn mercenary activities-"

The UNHRC had also appointed a Rapporteur to submit a report on use of mercenaries as a means of violating human rights. Mr. Earique Bernales Ballesteros in his report to UNHRC recommended that governments should prevent organisations linked to mercenaries from operating in their territory and also disband intelligence on security machinery which used mercenaries for covert operations.

Pakistan did not pay any heed to this. Right from 1992 it pursued the plan to push more and more foreign mercenaries but became more pronounced after the Kashmiri militants in November 1993 gave themselves up after being holed up for 32 days in the Hazratbal Shrine on the outskirts of Srinagar. According to DG of BSF, Mr. D.K. Arya in February 1994 an estimated 3000 or more foreign mercenaries were operating in Kashmir Valley. He told Press in Delhi they were mostly Afghanis, Pakistanis, Sudanese, Lebanese and Egyptians, uivariably fugitives in their own countries - persona non-grata - where they would be either tried or shot dead.


In May 1997 the IG BSF in Kashmir Valley, Mr. C M . Bhat, said that while 2500 militants were active in the valley, 400 out of them were foreign mercenaries who had crossed LOC in small groups. A year later - in April 1998, Mr. P.S. Gill, IG of State Police (Kashmir Range) said that mercenaries sent by Pakistan now were mainly ex-servicemen and Madrassa-trained fundamentalist Islamists. He claimed that most of the infiltrating groups comprised of mercenaries of varying backgrounds -pe t ty thieves, criminals,beggars, ex-convicts and unemployed youth. Army Commander Lt. Gen. S. Padmanabhan asserted on June 13 that "about 60% oimilitants active in Kashmir Valley were foreigners mostly from Afghanistan trained by Pakistani ISI".

In summer 1998 the number of foreign militants in Jammu & Kashmir was estimated to be around 2000 against 700 or so in 1997. In Jammu region nearly 70% militants were outsiders - mostly Pakistanis and Afghans. Army Chief Gen. V.P. Malik when asked if Afghans were operating in Jammu & Kashmir said "Ah, yes Afghans ? Of course they are there - 65% are foreigners."

GOC at Rajouri in September 1998 said that in Poonch and Rajouri Districts about 300 foreign militants were active. They come from Pakistan, POK, Afghanistan and Sudan.

After the Hazratbal standoff, the ISI paid attention to strengthening the Harkat-ul-Ansar so that it could undertake some spectacular actions which would attract attention.

The Harkat-ul-Ansar's first big exploit was the kidnapping of the British tourists in June 1994 - Kim Housego and David Mackay. A year later 6 more foreign tourists were kidnapped by Al-Faran - a faction of Harkat-ul-Ansar. One escaped, the second was brutally killed and 4 others have been held hostages about whom nothing is known to the world after November 26,1995 when last contact was made by J&K Police with the Al-Faran captors.

As early as 1992 (November) Afghan 'guest militants' had taken charge of some sections of a couple of outfits like Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. After a meeting in a secret hideout of Hizb Commander Syed Saluludin near Sopore, Richard Ehlreich reported in the Washington Times on November 2,1992, that "Hundreds of Muslim militants from the Middle East are in Kashmir to take part in an Islamic "Jihad" against the Indian Government". In his despatch Ehlreich said he got the report from an Afghan Battalion Commander of the Hizb, 36 year old Mohd Abu Nasar who "proudly introduced" two senior foreign militants to him. "One of them a burly Afghan named Akbar Bhai showed off a sinister two-in-one AK-47 assault rifle with a built-in rocket launcher that Bhai said he had captured from Soviet forces during thi* 10-year war in Afghanistan". Another foreigner Ynsin Snlim Masood who was introduced to Ehlreich

Foreign Guests 403 i

told him that he came from Khartoum in Sudan. "I went to Afghanistan two years ago to fight and then I travelled to Kashmir one month ago.' I came here to take part in the Jehad". Ehlreich wrote that Masood volunteered further "there are 300-400 Arabs here from Libya, Algeria, Bahrain^ and other places- My organisation in Sudan, the Akhwan-ul-Musalmeen (Moslim brotherhood) sent me to Afghanistan and said "If you would like to go to Kashmir, go. They sent me for the experience. You feel the meaning of Islam in Jehad."

In the next few months came more foreigners - some experts in their respective fields. They had intricate knowledge about arms, making bombs from local materials, fixing of explosives to blow up bridges, buildings and installations. A few were experts in electronics and wireless communications. All of them were equipped fully with latest sophisticated arms.

Another reason for Pakistan to push more foreigners was distrust of Kashmiri militants. Some sections had started showing fatigue, some had started surrendering and others were lapsing into inactivity. Pakistan wanted better control over the activities of Kashmiri militants and hence needed to induct foreign militants. By sending them across to Kashmir, Pakistan loses nothing except some money. Some of the mercenaries had much knowledge about the political motivations of Pakistan and its designs.

In 1994 the ISI planned to raise separate independent outfits for each district in Kashmir, directly under its command. Since the Pakistan Government was against it, this plan did not materialise then, but in 1998 the ISI earmarked specific outfits for the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

An outfit linked closely with Pakistan Jamait-I-Ulema-e-Islami, Harkat-ul-Mujahideen as part of Harkat-ul-Ansar was inducted in Kashmir in 1992-93. Harkat-ul-Ansar's cadres at that time comprised entirely of Pakistanis, Afghans and Arabs. In January 1994 Maulana Masood Azhar was sent from Pakistan to take over as Harkat-ul-Ansar chief. About the same time some elements of AI-Mujahideen Force (AMF) from POK were also inducted into Kashmir. The AMP had been floated in POK by Sardar Abdul Qayoom. In 1995-96 the ISI decided to send cadres of highly trained and motivated Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). The LET is raised, trained and directed by Markaz-ul-Dawa-Al-Arshad in Pakistan. -

The number of outfits and foreign mercenaries was increased or decreased by the ISI depending on its strategic requirements. The J&K Governor, Mr G.C. Saxena in June 1998 in his assessment said that "these mercenaries were battle-hardened and trained in mountain warfare". According to him insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir now had more


external ramification and Pakistan had pulled out all the stops and had blatantly exported terrorism. He informed that level of infiltration was down and local component had declined steeply. There were abouj 3000 active militants in Jammu & Kashmir. Only three major outfits were active - the Harkat-ul-Ansar with 60% foreign element, the Lashkar-e-Taiba with 90% foreigners and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen which had about 35% foreign element."

Around August 1998 official sources confirmed that in Poonch District the LET and HUJI were the active ones. In Rajouri District the Lashkar-e-Toiba and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen were operating and in Udhampur District the Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was not active though some elements of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen were also present.

In late autumn 1998 reports from Pakistan mentioned that Pak Government was seriously thinking to restructure commanding organs of the Proxy War in J&K. The reports spoke of plans to hand over control of the "liberation movement" exclusively to Lashkar-e-Toiba and the Harkat-ul-Ansar. In November a conference for coordinating their activities was held in Punjab along with the Pakistan Jamait-I-Islami. Discussion was reported to have centered around how to "strengthen the truly Islamic identity of Jehad in Jammu & Kashmir". It was decided to sideline, all other outfits which were for "Azadi" or Independent Jammu & Kashmir. These outfits would be kept out of the core group of anti-Indian movement, which increasingly should come under control of non-Kashmiri commanders. On November 24, 1998, Kashmir IGP Mr P.S. Gill confirmed that command and control of all major outfits had been given to foreign mercenaries by the ISI. At present no Kashmiri militant was top commander of any group, he confirmed.

Right from the beginning (1992) when the mercenaries was just inducted, they were given more sophisticated and latest weaponary. In 1992 some Afghans had two-in-one AK-47 assault rifles with a built-in rocket launcher which were claimed to have been got from captured Soviet soldiers in Afghanistan. The ISI was giving foreign mercenaries same explosives and weapons identical to what had been earlier supplied to Afghan Mujahideen. Towards middle of 1994 the mercenaries were equipped with sophisticated sniper rifles and 160 mm mortars besides the usual AK-47 rifles and rocket launchers. According to DG of Border Security Force the concerned authorities across the LOC dump sophisticated weapons like sniper rifles along the border and then pass on the, information to the mercenaries. They dig them and move them whenever the need arises. In 1998 the mercenaries were found to be equipped with AK-47/ 56 assault rifles, anti-tank and anti-personnel mines, grenades, rocket launchers, carbines, and SAM-7 missiles. For quick and safe communication they had advanced and latest wireless

Foreign Guests 405

sets - some even carried the latest digital sets that can be carried in a pocket. The foreign militants frequently air false transmissions to tie down the Security Forces. The correct messages are relayed with the help of jamming and scrambler devices fitted into the militant sets.

The Army Commander Lt. Gen. S. Padmanaban on June 13,1998 claimed that in recent months different types of weapons had been recovered from the foreign mercenaries. These included surface to air missiles, small mortars, medium machine guns and latest rocket launchers.

A few months later, in Poonch and Rajouri Districts the security forces recovered from the foreign militants telescopic devices and night vision equipment.

Over the years, the Pak ISI has been changing its techniques of motivating the mercenaries. First it was the Islamic card. Reports of alleged atrocities on Moslems in Kashmir were widely circulated. "Islam in danger" was what was the refrain dished out to them. Specially produced video cassettes were screened which highlighted that Moslems in Kashmir were not allowed to pray, say Namaz in mosques and generally not allowed to live as Moslems. "I am to share in Jehad" one militant in custody told press. Money is used t:; lure youth to join Jehad and this is a big attraction for, unemployed youth. Then there is the thrill of handling a gun and killing a Kafir (infidel). In training camps they are put through brainwash sessions. They are told of opportunities in Kashmir of extortion of money, forced marriages, local hospitality and entertainment by Kashmir girls. An Afghan mercenary in custody told DG BSF in February 1994 that he had raped 82 Kashmiri women since his arrival from Pakistan. Some other arrested foreign militants have confessed that they had gone to Pakistan for seeking employment and were lured with attractive promises by ISI agents to "doing duty for Islam by joining Jehad in Kashmir". Some of them turned out to be paid serial killers with no personal or emotional involvement with Jehad.

The foreign militant is sent to Kashmir on contract for 2 years. He is paid Rs 2 lacs (US$ 5000) on deputation. On return after successful sojourn he is paid another Rs 2 lacs. For any major exploit they are rewarded. Against this an Indian security person is paid less than Rs 8000 per month. A Kashmiri militant is paid Rs 1500/ 2000 per month. A slain militant's family is compensated with a few thousand Rupees. A foreign militant who motivates a Kashmiri youth for training in Pakistan gets Rs 5,000 for each recruit who is promised Rs 15,000 as an initial payment. Unemployment and poverty are fully exploited.

Since the foreign militants are not familiar with the topography and terrain they are provided relay guides to cross the LOC. They work in


series. Every guide is paid (in 1998) Rs 5,000 for escorting a militant through his area and to hand him over to the next guide.

The ISI is reported to spending around Rs 5 crores a month only on maintenance of foreign militants though the annual budget for the Pak Inter Services Intelligence agency's Kashmir operation is around Rs 300 crores.

The foreign militants were given special training on orientation for operations in Kashmir by ISI at the training camps in Pakistan. In January 1994 at many of the 90 odd training camps being run in PoK and Pakistan the small batches of foreign militants were specially trained. These camps were manned by Afghan Mujahideen, veterans of Afghan War.

The training includes learning rudimentary Kashmiri language and being familiarised with topography of the area of infiltration so that they are able to operate without many problems or without raising suspicions. With the help of local guides the militants identify their own routes of infiltration across the LOG

In October 1998 a credible report became available about Taliban in Afghanistan being used for training of militants for being inducted into Kashmir by ISI. According to Sunday Times, London, Osmana Bin Laden had given clear orders to his Islamic mercenaries "to bring terror to unleash repression in Kashmir". It said that the mercenaries had been helped to cross over by locally recruited militants in the Kashmir Valley such as a certain Ghulam who they said had kept in touch with the militants through a radio set using code words from Koran. The report said Ghulam had completed a 90-day training at Bin Laden's camp at Khost in Afghanistan and was paid Rs 50,000 to lead a 10-member terrorist team into India. The report quoted Ghulam as saying that the mercenaries had been instructed to keep Kashmir on the boil by selecting soft targets like civilians and foreign tourists.

In 1994 the ISI in Pakistan decided to raise special groups for different Districts of Kashmir. This was done to train them specially for operation in specific Districts. They were familiarised with its topography and important aspects of lives of people living there. Besides other training they were familiarised with local dialects to enable them to perform their task properly. One of their aims was to spread terror. Some of them turned barbaric. Some Afghans and Sudanese among them broke off their victims and then slit their throats till they bled to death. They also indulged in beheading some of their victims. Rape of women was almost a regular practice with most of them, Many were subsequently killed because the militants did not want to leave any trace of their crime. Cases have been reported where victim's eyes were gouged to instill fear among the local population to force them to cooperate with the militants. A gruesome case came to light after 3 years. In May 1990 one Brij Nath

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Koul was abducted alongwith his wife and sister. The two women were stripped naked, molested in public and then gangraped. Later they were dragged behind a moving jeep on a mountainous road causing their death. It got reported only in June 1994.

Foreign militants in small groups in the next* two years moved frequently from place to place to create more trouble spots.

ISI started using porters and ponies in the winter of 1997-98, separately to send across the LOC, consignments of weapons. About the same time ISI sent fresh instructions to foreign mercenaries to hit soft targets or concentrations of minority population for ethnic cleansing. In the next few months Wandhama, Prankote, Sangrampura, Gool, Chapnari incidents took place resulting in gruesome massacres-

Handpicked foreign militants were specially trained and then deputed to target WIFs . Because of proper intelligence security was beefed up around them and the militants did not achieve much in this field.

In Poonch and Rajouri Districts the foreign mercenaries seemed to change their tactics in June 2998. Because a gunshot usually draws attention of the people nearby, the militants started beheading their victim for some time. Strategies had to be changed because local people started distancing themselves from them. They were told by ISI to win over the local people. They started demonstratively praying regularly. They also started showing respect to elders and women to regain their confidence and earn goodwill in many areas. The religious image of the foreign militants helped them to keep the flame of Islamic resurgence alive which j in turn lends a wider purpose and meaning to the separatist movement.

At different times and different areas the foreign militants were seen using Indian Army uniforms and turbans like Sikhs to avoid detection. In Champnari massacre in Doda, the militants were using uniforms of Army's Rashtriya Rifles. Pakistani Major Saifullah of ISI who masterminded the Wandhama massacre of 23 Kashmiri Pandits in January 1998 was later killed when he was wearing an Indian Army Officer's uniform. The foreign militants usually sport long locks of hair and flowing beards.

In the summer of 1998 the foreign militants changed their strategy. They started resorting to increased use of landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Since then 80% or so attacks on security forces have been with mines and IEDs. This is relatively cheap and inflicts heavy casualties besides keeping the perpetrators out of sight and'safe. This was also resorted to because they also wanted to avoid direct' confrontation with security forces. Also because IEDs can be made locally with readily available materials. It was reported that they were latelv using claymore mines that are planted many metres above ground and


hence are difficult to detect with mine detectors. Hospitals in Srinagar have reported that 50% of injured hospitalised in the second half of 1998, were victims of these blasts.

The figures of foreign militants killed and arrested in the first half of 1997 confirmed the change of tactics of Pakistan ISI in sending increasing numbers of foreign militants. In the first six months of 1997 the Security Forces arrested 108 foreign militants against 106 arrested in the previous six years from 1991. The breakup of these 108 is as follows:

Pakistanis 43 POK residents 27 Bangladeshis 24 (They were detected for the first

time in 1994) It is of interest to compare this with the figures of 1995 when 93 had

been arrested. These comprised of: 79 from PoK 11 from Afghanistan

In six years between 1991-95,241 foreign .militants were reported to be killed but in 1996 alone this rose to 213. The breakup of 564 foreign militants killed between January 1991 and June 1997 is:

Pakistanis 198 Afghans 178 PoK residents 21 Sudanese 5 Bangladeshis 4 Turks 2 Chechenya 1 Unidentified Nationality 154

The waning interest of people of the state in militancy and Pakistani efforts to send increasing number of mercenaries is borne out by the rising percentages of foreign militants killed to total militants killed in every succeeding year given below :

1991

Total 2 % of militants killed 0.3

1992

6 1.4

1993

72 8.1

1994

78 7.2

1995

61 9.5

1996

155 12.9

1997

215 14.0

1998

321 38.4

Till end of 1998 in all 1,078 foreigners have been killed. Out of them 400 were Pakistanis, 190 Afghans, 5 Sudanese. 45 were residents originally of POK. 135 foreign militants were apprehended since 1991.

Various reasons are there for the steep decline in friendly relations and bonhomie between the foreign "guests" militants and the

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homegrown militants. However, the most marked is the mutual hatred that has become apparent at the end of 1998.

Thousands of Kashmiri youth who have been involved in insurgency here, are by and large looked down upon with contempt by the foreign militants, who were welcomed as "guest militants" by all insurgents and secessionists. The poor opinion that the foreign militants had for the Kashmiri militants, foisting of commanders from outside over them, mercenaries disregard for local sensitivities including respect and regard for the Kashmirian Islam, their forced entry into Kashmir home, rapes of local girls, extortions and similar things led to widening of the gulf. By 1995-96 the welcome of foreign guest militant had turned to tolerating them and they were almost "unwanted guests". But the camel was in the tent of the Arab and it was difficult to throw him out. The destruction of the Shrine at Charar-I-Sharief hurt the Kashmiri psyche. Then came the kidnapping of 2 British tourists in 1994 and taking of hostages American, German, British and Norwegian tourists 1995 and beheading of the Norwegian tourist. And all this by militants directed and commanded by foreign mercenaries. The kidnapping gave the Kashmiri militants a bad name and adversely affected the secessionist movement.

In July 1995 the Kashmiris felt that these foreign mercenaries had "no refined culture and no values. We have no common bond with these foreign gunmen" said a senior Kashmiri militant. He further said "They don't have the same dedication for the cause we are fighting for, as this is not their land of birth - they are here only for material gains. They loot, kill and destroy and seem to be faking our Va^ey on the same path of destruction as that of Afghanistan".

"Recently,! saw around 20 armed Afghans enter our village, walking like hulks. They stopped in front of some village girls who were washing clothes at a stream and ordered them to wash their clothes also, and they stripped themselves in front of the girls. Next they ordered the villagers to cook a feast for them. None dared even look up" said a terrified villager.

"What is most worrying is that the Afghans have started marrying local girls in villages which means the guest militants are here to stay" said old Altaf Ahmed. Fortunately this did not catch on.

A local teacher said "The aim of the Afghans seems to destroy the infrastructure in the Valley - to erode the social fabric - Charar incident shows it up".

As was mentioned earlier the Kashmiris started turning against foreign militants in 1995 because of their pervert nature supported by right wing ideologies peddling communal hatred. Their presence in Kashmir brought about qualitative escalation in fighting which has multiplied the number of casualties. From 1992 when the foreign

410 * Kashmir Underground

militants were infiltrated there has been steep increase in number of terrorism related deaths which shot up from

1303 in 1991 to 1909 in 1992 to 2385 in 1993

Some cases have come to light where in remote areas foreign militants have killed local militants on suspicion of non-cooperation. In 1998 local militants were upset because reports had come in that in Pakistan, ISI was trying to replace even the handful of Kashmiri commanders of some outfits with non-Kashmiris. Persistent reports said that Syed Saluhidin, Chief Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was to be replaced with Sarfraz - a Pakistani national. Kashmiri militants started showing signs of disenchantment with Pakistan.

In June 1998 in Poonch District local militants informed the Security Forces of presence of Badshah Khan, Commander of the Unified Command ofLET and HUA cadres. Khan was quickly eliminated. There are many such cases of cooperation between the Security Forces and disgruntled and disenchanted local militants.

Foreign militants now avoid urbanised areas even well frequented villages for fear of locals informing the Security Forces. Local residents are reluctant to provide shelter especially because they feel that the foreigners are not concerned about their lives and property.

Abdul Wahid, a senior member of Harkat-ul-Jehad Islamia (HUJI) after surrendering in October 1998, said "They take away all our recruits. It is we who do the hard work in convincing our brethren to join our Jehad but once they train and return from across (after training) they are inducted in Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET) and we are left isolated". Another erstwhile disenchanted member of HUJI, Abdul Majid gave expression to his disappointment by saying "Jehad-I-Azadi nakaam hai" (Holy war for liberation has no meaning). "We are not being given our new consignments of weapons promised by ISI. They now doubt our capability to use these weapons and fight".

Abdul Qayoom - a Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) said "We are poorest of poor. The money promised to us is never given. We are handed over a few hundred Rupees for our expenses. This forced us to extort money from the rich. Even this money is denied to us as we are forced to part with a major share to LET. They, on the other hand, are on contract basis. They get a handsome salary and reward for killings. They made me do all that which freedom fighters will be ashamed of. The whole dream of liberation was without foundation", he lamented.

Others were bitter for other reasons. Mohd. Sadiq, code name Abu Talab nt I Ii/.n-ul-MujnhideiMi said "They rape our women but wo get [In1 bmi n.iini*. Our me-mbors hnvi* to live in sheer humiliation. This also

Foreign Guests 411

invited revenge action from the families of the aggrieved just because we are all branded together as militants".

Having failed to find local girls to become comfort girls for foreign militants, ISI formed an organisation "Anjuman-I-Khawateen" of Pakistani women to woo local girls for this purpose. Again, fortunately this ploy did not work.

A senior secessionist Kashmir leader Hashim Quereshi, who now lives in Netherland and heads the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Party •(JKDLP), has warned Kashmiris not to depend on foreign militants. In a statement on November 10,1998 Quereshi said "Kashmiris must put a question to themselves whether these mercenaries are their saviours or destroyers? A nation that depends on others, particularly the mercenaries, must know that all that they do is helping themselves pass from slavery to slavery and not from slavery to freedom". The JKDLP also appealed to people of Kashmir to reject the mercenaries, reject the leadership that persuades them to welcome the mercenaries, and their sponsors. It also appealed to them to shun violence and fratricide and think of positive but non-violent ways of achieving their objectives. The motives of mercenaries in liquidating the intellectuals and ideologies is to create a situation in which Kashmiris become helpless and succumb to intimidation, added Quereshi.

The senior civil and military officers size up the foreign militants, differently. The State Governor, Mr.G.C. Saxena, in early December 1998,-' felt that the "character of militancy has changed. Now it is in full control of foreign militants who are ruling the roost. It is easy to deal with foreign mercenaries than the local ones".

A senior Army officer who has personal operational experience said "Unlike the Kashmiris, the Afghan mercenaries are highly trained, fully motivated and are keen fighters. They can survive by hiding 3-4 days without food or water". Another senior officer rates Afghan militant as good doughty fighter out of hordes being pushed into Kashmir by Pakistan. "They tend to make optimum use of their ammunition and are highly motivated against Kafirs (infidels)" he added.

Major General R.K. Kaushal, GOC of Victor Force which is engaged in counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir Valley said his troops differentiate between the local militants and the foreign militants. While they appeal to locals to lay down arms and join the mainstream, no quarter is shown to the foreign militants. The GOC asserted "I have no mercy for foreign militants. Even if they surrender, I am going to kill them". According to him it is no longer "home grown insurgency but insurgency by more organised and well-trained guerillas. Gun culture has not destroyed us but it will rebound on them and annihilate them.


Lt. Gen. S. Padmanabhan, GOC-in-Command of Northern Command before he relinquished charge in end of 1998 after 2Vk years as overall commander of Jammu and Kashmir, said "Proxy war in J&K State has become foreign oriented, foreign inspired and foreign directed. Its dimension has changed with Pakistan banking on infiltrating foreign mercenaries from Afghanistan and other countries. The ISI seems to have lost interest in recruiting Kashmiri youth and are concentrating more on trained and highly motivated foreign militants". They are battle-hardened, more accurate, more committed fighters and keep fighting till finish. Another senior officer said "Foreign militants seek desolate jungles where they make underground hideouts or select deep caves where not even aerial straffing would dislodge them".

Thousands of Kashmiri youth who have been involved in insurgency in Kashmir are by and large looked down upon, almost with contempt by the foreign mercenaries. These very mercenaries in 1992-93 were welcomed as "guest militants" by the entire underground in Kashmir. This contempt of the foreign mercenaries comes out strong and loud in the comments made by some of their leaders.

Fahadullah, an Afghan war veteran from Pakistan fighting alongside Hizb-ul-Mujahideen in Doda District remarked "we believe in fighting from 2 meters unlike the Kashmiris who attack from a mile".

Nassarullah Manzoor Langyal, the former chief of Harkat-ul-Jihad-e-Islami, who came to Kashmir in 1992, feels Kashmiri militants are neither dedicated nor Islamic enough. While in custody in November 1993 he told press that "Kashmiris are liars, bad fighters with a lot of weaknesses. There is little chance of militancy succeeding in Kashmir". He disclosed his group had 80 militants - all foreigners - and had been operating for over a year. He said they had sophisticated weapons and high frequency wireless sets for communication with their bases in Pakistan and PoK. Their aim was to spread "puritanical Wahabi Islam" he declared. According to him, the aim of HUJI was to topple all pseudo Islamic Governments as he described them, with real and pure Islamic Governments.

Another Afghan war veteran and an Afghan national who was a senior commander of Harkat-uI-Ansar, Sheikh Jamaludin while in custody told Press that "Kashmiris are poor fighters. They look here and fire there. They are afraid of the noise and impact of guns". He said his objective is "Khilafat" under which all territories of Kashmir, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and beyond, should become one without barriers or borders. He said he least cares whether Kashmir comes part of Pakistan or remains independent.

Ilamid Afghani, a Divisional Commander of I.nshkar-1-Toibn who camo lo Kashmir in 1994 alli-ged thai Kashmiri militants wrro not

Foreign Guests 413

"dedicated enough to the cause. We believe in fighting from close range unlike Kashmiri militants who avoid close encounters". He was quickly refuted by a Kashmiri militant Mehboob-ul-Mir standing nearby who rebutted "we certainly are dedicated to our cause but the difference is that we use our brains unlike these aliens". Abdul Nasir Khan Rathore of Islamabad, who surrendered at Jammu, told Press on New Year's Day of 1999, "the call for Jehad in Jammu & Kashmir by ISI is a total fraud and if per chance I met those ISI agents who pushed me to this side of the border> I will shoot them down. Syed Khalid Hussain Bukhari, another mercenary from Pakistan, was very critical of JKLF saying "The JKLF is not even a true Islamic group. Their manifesto is in English, meant for Europeans and it talks of a secular Kashmir. In Urdu they speak of an Islamic nation" he added. Mohd. Masood Azhar, a Pakistani national who was Secretary General of Lashkar-I-Toiba outfit said "We fight for religion, for the spread of Islam. We don't believe in the concept of nations. Whenever a Moslim needs our help, we will be there".' He further said he had been shown video cassettes of "atrocities" on the Kashmiris. Back home his organisation was told that Kashmiris could not even pray in mosques and .that their women were raped. "Which Moslim can tolerate this? Our soldiers will protect Islam with their gun if necessary" he told press while in custody. Harkat-ul-Ansar commander, a Pakistani national also in custody, Sajjad Khan told press "For us Moslems to die for Islam is martyrdom which is bliss".

Hassan, a 22-year old Arts graduate from Algeria, told press on January 6,1994 "We do not believe in borders or laws. We have set our priorities for liberating different countries of the Moslim world from the tyranny of Kafirs (unbelievers). L alongwith some of my colleagues, have come to help our Kashmiri brethren". He felt Kashmiri militants could fight better if they had good commanders. He claimed in Kashmir he had participated in 11 major militancy operations in Sopore, Baramullah, Kupwara areas in past 5 months. He said he had earlier fought in Afghanistan as a close aide of Gulbudin Hikmatyar, supremo of Hizb-ul-lslami. He said in Kashmir alongwith a 25-year old Yemeni, Qatir Abdullah, he was "assisting" Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He said he. was against inter-group clashes for that "weakens the movement". He further said he wao also against killing of "Moslem brothers" after branding them as police informers.

Wahid Mehmood (Lebanon)/ Sheikh Jamal-ud-Din (Afghanistan), Syed'Khalid Hussain and ImitiaZ Ahmed Bhat, both from Pakistan, while in custody told press persons in February, 1994 that they were not sorry for having come to Kashmir after being told that they were being sent to Kashmir for Jehad. But the reality in Kashmir is different, they stated. Another foreign militant - a Ubanese - Mehmood Faid Alhaj G6) was


arrested by BSF in June 1993 from near Pahalgam when he was disguised as a labourer. Back home he was a member of the "Democratic Front for Liberation of Palestine". He is an expert in mortars and anti-aircraft guns. He claimed, in Kashmir where he worked as a trainer with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, he had trained more than 500 local militants in Pulwama District alone. He was also a specialist in assembling of fire-arms. In presence of media persons he assembled a Kalashinikov rifle, blindfolded.

' He also claimed to be close to Hizb Chief Syed Salaludin and in his company he had taken part in many operations. He said he had come to India as a tourist on a Palestinian passport. After touring many places in India down south he came to India as a tourist on Palestinian passport. Here he came in contact with the Hizb members who forced me to impart

, arms training to their cadres and participate in their Jehad". He told press persons "Kashmiris are simple people with no in-built militant tendencies. I think they are being misled by the militant groups. I made a mistake of joining these groups and spreading terror in this beautiful region".

Mast Gul is perhaps the best known militant from outside. Soon after he came to Kashmir to oversee the operations conducted by Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, he talked to a small clutch of media-persons near Anantnag town on July 18,1994. He was deputed there to disrupt the Amarnatli Yatra (Hindu Pilgrimage) to a Shiva Cave above Pahalgam. He made two terse remarks. About Indian Army he said "Indian troops are not as brave and tough as Russians or the traditional warriors he had faced in tribal fights in his area". He resented being called a mercenary and said "We have not been hired and it is the conscience which has driven us to come to the rescue of the Moslems here. This is

, Allah's territory and we don't belong to any particular nation". Another factor contributing to the arrival of foreign mercenaries is

the archaic Arab system of "Kafil". A source disclosed that rich Arabs who were devout Moslims but have no time or inclination to participate in Jehad, sponsor volunteers. Some of the "foreign guest militants" belong to this category, perhaps. They may have been sponsored from Saudi Arabia or Sudan where regular payments are made to the respective families of the sponsored militants.

• These foreign militants brought a "gift" for Kashmiris. In December, 1993 the Indian Army Medical authorities were startled that two Afghan mercenaries Abu Baria and Abu Al Umar of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who were wounded in an encounter in Sopore were found to have AIDS. Their blood was tested before blood transfusion. They however died soon after. The Administration was very concerned because by wielding the gun most of the foreign militants were indulging in forced marriages and rapes. It has com** It) light that in 2 or 3 years of 1992-95 hundreds of

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unwanted pregnancies were medically terminated at Udhampur and Jammu. Kashmiri Moslem girls (in company of relations) travelled to these two cities in Jammu region and some even went to Amritsar, Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Delhi, because in Kashmir Valley, doctors had declined to undertake these abortions because of fear of militant guns. The despicable chapter however did not last long. The danger of spread of AIDS in Kashmir because of presence of foreign militants played an important role in the local population distancing itself from them.

Pakistan has all along insisted that this is an indigenous movement and that no outsiders were involved. In October, 1998 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Dr. Farooq Abdullah said "Solid evidence is

' available that Pakistan is pumping in arms, money and foreign mercenaries into Kashmir. Had it been an indigenous movement where was the need for sending Afghan and Pakistani mercenaries?" he asked. The Minister of State for Home, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone on December 11,1998 told the Press "Today, the Kashmiri youth is disenchanted and alienated with militancy." It is for this reason that Pakistan's Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) had been sending foreign mercenaries, who have little affinity with Kashmiri land. Approximately 80% of militants are foreigners. These mercenaries are committing all sorts'of atrocities on people and not sparing even women."

"Hizb-ul-Mujahideen's Kashmiri Supremo, Syed Salaludin who had been living in Pakistan for more than 3 years, in October 1998, declared "hundreds of Pakistani youth were waging war against Indian Army in Kashmir, under the banner of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. He was addressing a large gathering in grand Faisal Mosque in Pakistan's capital Islamabad, organised by Jamait-I-Islami. In presence of Jamait Ameer, Salaludin claimed "Kashmir is part of Pakistan and the fighting in Kashmir is a war of survival for Pakistan".

International organisations usually do not usually commit or tondemn unless the evidence is so evident or overwhelming. The Amnesty International in its Report released in March, 1999 said that there was evidence that Pakistan had provided men, training and militancy support to some groups seeking accession of Kashmir to Pakistan. The Report, however, said that Islamabad had denied this.

The Al Report seemed to be categorical about the induction of foreign militants. It said that the complexion of militancy had undergone a serious change. It was no longer an urban phenomenon; the foreign militants had come to dominate terrorist brigades. Afghans, Sudanese and Egyptians were far more deadly in their operations than locals and targetting innocent civilians was easy for them, the Report added. It further said that trained Islamic fighters from a range of Moslem countries


including Sudan and Afghanistan, believing themselves to be holy warriors, engage in some of the most brutal abuses, especially targetting the Hindu community.

Kashmir has been defiled, despoiled and desecrated by foreign mercenaries because they have no attachment with it

Courtesy - R.K. Laxman The Times of India of February 24,1994

6

Larger Canvas

With the first flush of success the Kashmiri militant's were directed to make forays out oi Kashmir Valley by ISI in Pakistan. It had two objectives to achieve. It wanted Kashmiri militants to get close to the Sikh militants in Punjab and foim a nexus foundations for which had been led in Pakistan itself where meetings between them had been arranged. The other purpose was to set up a nucleus of subversives and ISI agents at locations in India where there was concentration of Muslim population. In these locations it will be easier to find refuge and shelter because ISI believed that muslims in general were prepared to "do something for Pakistan". ISI had planned to make these nuclei as centers of subversion all over India. For Kashmiri militants later these became places to escape to when pressure was built up by Security Forces in Kashmir.

By tradition Kashmiri businessmen had been visiting different places in India where the tourists and affluent people were ready customers for attractive shawls and beautiful handicrafts for which Kashmir has been known for decades. In all important stations there was Kashmir Arts Emporium set up. Generally these emporia were places where Kashmiri businessmen and hawkers used to meet to get news of back home. In past 20/30 years many shops had been opened by Kashmiris in places like Delhi, Bombay, Goa, Jaipur, Agra, Madras, Hyderabad, Calcutta. In all these places people had got used to see the Kashmiris around. So when a few more were seen around in the early nineties hardly anyone suspected them to be anything but genuine sellers of handicrafts and fruit merchants. The ISI capitalised on this and in due course it was able to have "dependable agents" in those places.

From Punjab reports were received of nexus having been formed between some Kashmiri militant outfits and some Sikh extremists. Credible reports were also received that consignment of arms and ammunition were being passed on from one to other. First the Punjab extremists, used to pass on consignments received from across the border to Kashmir militants. After smuggling across the Pakistan-Punjab border became very difficult because of fencing, floodlights and intense patrolling, the Jammu-Somba sector and the I.(X" in Jammu & Kashmir


was used to bring smuggled arms and explosives, and pass on some to extremists in Punjab. At one stage—in early 1996—reliable reports became available that ISI had managed to set up a new outfit for "better coordination and smooth transport of arms". In also planned to use this cooperative effort to spread violence and terrorism in different parts of India. The new setup was named "K&K International". Its headoffice was at "Sri Amritsar" with a Sub-office at "SIRINAGAR". Not much of its activities were noticed for next couple of years. In December 1998 information was available that ISI had enlarged the area of activities of "K&K International" to include Assam as well. It was charged with revival of militancy in Punjab and stepping up of subversive activities in Jammu & Kasmir and Assam.

Nepal was being used for transit of Kashmiri militants to and from Pakistan. Since no passport was required for Indian nationals for entry into Nepal no problem was faced by the militants. Once in Kathmandu, fake travel documents including Passports were prepared for them by ISI operatives. Then they could travel to any country. The return was the same way. In this regard allegations had been made that Pakistani Embassy was providing "all help". Other allegations had spoken of a naturalised Nepalese politician Mirza Dilshad Beg as being a major player in this network. In Kathmandu also Kashmiri shopkeepers are a common sight so presence of more Kashmiris did not raise much suspicion.

In 1990 militancy in Kasmir seemed to be riding a popular crest. It had also achieved some visible results which made them some kinds of heros. Those who died during attacks and encounters were described as martyrs. The Indian security forces were in the process of building pressures and were revamping their intelligence network. The militants in Kashmir did not have to go out of Kashmir Valley to save their lives. The ISI wanted insurgency to show some spectacular results in Kashmir rather than spread out into other parts of India.

First major strike in Delhi was on the night of August 14,1990 on Janamashtami (Lord Krishna's birth anniversary). In a bomb blast 5 persons died and more than 20 were injured. Next day at Srinagar, the JKLF claimed responsibility for this attack. Its spokesman informed newspaper offices that "JKLF has sent squads to all parts of the country to strike at vital installations."

. In 1991 many militants traveled to Delhi. Some went to escape the pressure of the Security Forces and others on directions fronrthe ISI to establish bases and to motivate sympathisers to become harbourers and operatives. In early-1991 there were blast at Delite and Jubilee Cinema halls, Nirulas Fast food Restaurant, Mohan Singh Place and Palika Bazar Parking lot. Special branch of Delhi Police arrested three alleged militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen on March 26. On May 6, Delhi Police

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arrested a Kashmiri militant—Ashfaq alias Mohammed Ayub alongwith two local accomplices—Mohammed Tahir and Mehmood Paracha. According to Police Commissioner Arun Bhagat, Ashfaq had confessed having been trained in Pakistan for a month. He also admitted having received Rs 35,000/- from a Kashmiri militant outfit for carrying out the blasts in Delhi. He was involved in 4 cases of terrorists violence in Kashmir, earlier, Police disclosed. Blast at Nirula's had killed one person while the blast of Palika Bazar Parking had resulted in 3 deaths.

In March 1991 Delhi Police arrested a student of Jawahar Lai Nehru University. Shahabudin belonging to Rampur (U.P.) claimed he was a journalist and as such had contacts in Pakistan. He further said that as a Human Rights activist he was in touch with some people in Kashmir. Police alleged that he acted as courier to bring a letter for Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, from Pakistan which he visited from February 25 to March 17. Police further claimed that he had received Rs 16.50 lacs from a local hawala dealer and passed on this amount to militant outfit through one Ashfaq Hussein Lone, a civil engineer in Kashmir.

On December 15 Delhi Police claimed to have arrested 5 important Kashmir militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who had received special arms training to create terror in Delhi. They were also told to get sympathetic youngmen to help to establish hideouts from where they could operate. The arrested militants were Zahid Ahmed Sufi (22), Aashiq Hussain Butt (31), Mohammed Shafi Shah (27) Bashir Ahmed Mut (32) and Nazir Ahmed (35). It was alleged that interrogation revealed Sofi was an Area Commander and had managed to stay as guest in J&K Government House in Chanakyapuri. Nazir Ahmed, a Pakistan—trained militant was involved in death of a DySP in Kashmir. Sofi had managed to get a Passport and secured a Visa for Pakistan to escape there.

After lying low for many months, in early 1993, Kashmiri militants again became active. On March 6, Ashiq Hussain Kanth was arrested. Police claimed he was fully trained in handling arms and for subversion. He made two visits to Delhi for establishing a base for members of his outfit Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. On May 9, Feroz Ahmed Dar was arrested. Police alleged that he was going about as a shawl merchant and when arrested he was carrying weapons wrapped in shawls. With his group it was alleged that he was involved in many attacks in Kashmir earlier.

Delhi Police in October arrested two hardcore Kashmiri militants. Ghulam Nabi War of Muslim Mujahideen and Mir Arshad Salim of J&K Muslim Conference. They were allegedly planing to kidnap several politicians including former Governor, Jagmohan. About a kilogram of RDX was alleged to have been recovered from them.

Delhi Police after-receiving reports that a good number of Kashmiri militants had made Delhi their base stopped up close monitoring of likely


areas. On March 3,1994 Police was able to arrest one Mushtaq Ahmed . alias Irfan, a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, from New Delhi Railway Station. He was reportedly trained in Pakistani training camps at Rawalpindi and near Afghan border but reentered India in December 1992. He had visited many parts of the country to establish contacts with various groups of Ahle Hadees and the Students Islamic Movement of India.

Mushtaq's interrogation disclosed that militants visit Delhi and even find refuge with Kashmiris who spend winter months in different localities of Delhi, including Defence Colony, South Extension, Lajpat Nagar and Jangpura, besides Shahdara, Seemapuri and congested walled city areas.

Nasir Ahmed Ganai (of Baramulla) alias Darzi with code name Mujeeb, was arrested on May 11,1994 when he was about to plant a bomb in the Regal Cinema Hall in Connaught Place. During interrogation he confessed that he had planted a bomb in Odeon Cinema on January 30 three months earlier. In this 18 persons had been injured. Nasir had initially joined JKLF but later went over to Hizb-uI-Mujahideen. For the Odeon Cinema bomb he said he had been paid Rs 5000/- by HUM. For 6 months or so before he was caught, he had been living in Delhi to make contact with other militants who regularly went there from Kashmir.

During 1995 the Kashmiri militants who had sought shelters in Delhi lay low. However, in October 1995, the Police arrested Faiz Ahmed Malik. He had "been trained in subversion in a camp at "Muzaf fara"bad (POK). He had crossed LOC into the Valley and come to Delhi a few months earlier. He was a member of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen. Another explosion took place in Connaught Place area on November 21 in which 30 persons were injured.

The events were moving fast in Jammu & Kashmir and the Security Forces had mounted pressure all round against the militants. Those who could manage to leave and had the means and the contacts in Delhi, went to the Capital in the winter of 1995—96.

In the busy and congested Saddar Bazar area of central Delhi in the afternoon of January 3,1996 a powerful explosion took place in which 6 persons were killed while 32 vfrere injured, four seriously. A lesser known Kashmiri militant outfit, Jammu- & Kashmir Islamic Millat claimed responsibility for the blast. Next day Police arrested two alleged perpetrators, Farooq Ahmed Handoo and Riyaz Ahmed Bhatt. Handoo had joined militant ranks in August 1990 and undergone training in arms for 3 months. Bhatt was "Military Advisor" in Al-Umar outfit, earlier. Both arrived in Delhi in last week of December 1995. Bhat was also

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involved in case of alleged extortion in Srinagar in 1993—94 of Rs 1.10 lac from Pashmina traders. 4

An important militant—Mushtaq Ahmed Mir (28) a Pakistan-trained member of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen, was arrested on January 16 from Lajpat Nagar area. A resident of Khanyar locality of Srinagar, Mir was alleged to have been involved in abduction of Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq, Vice Chancellor of Kashmir University in April 1990. He was also involved in many ambushes on Security Forces and a Bank dacoity in which Rs 15 lac were looted. Mir had been arrested in July 1990 at Srinagar, earlier. He was later released in exchange of Sheikh Fayaz, son of J&K Chief Secretary, Sheikh Ghulam Rasul. Sheikh Fayaz had been abducted on March 19,1992.'Following his release Mir was made Deputy Chief of Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. Again he was arrested in July 1993. In custody, he developed a problem in one eye. He was shifted to Police Hospital in Srinagar, from where he escaped in September 1993. Earlier in 1991 Mir was also involved in abduction of K. Doraiswamy, Executive Director of Indian Oil Company, near Srinagar. •

FromChandni Chowkareaof Delhi, the Police on January 19,1996 arrested Hafiz Jan Bhat. He was reported to be District Commander of Muslim Janbaaz Force of Badgam in Kashmir Valley. He posed to be a tourist having assumed new name of Aziz Ahmed Warn. Bhat had joined-militancy in 1990. He was sent across LOC to Muzaffarabad (POK) where with 90 other militants for 3 weeks, he was trained in handling of arms and subversion. He crossed back to Pakistan in October 1994. Traveling through Nepal on fake Passport, he returned to Kashmir in January 1995.

Delhi Police on January 22 also arrested from Adarsh Nagar area 3 highly trained militants of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, who were living there as fruit merchants. They were identified as Manzoor Ahmed Sheroo alias .Wasim, Ghulam Mohammed Dar alias Gulshan and Ali Mohammed Teli alias Nasir. Manzoor disclosed that Jie had joined militant ranks in March 1991 and received arms training at Muzaffarabad (POK) ancl on return to Kashmir took part in many attacks on Security Forces. Dar also revealed that he received his training in POK but on return was soon arrested. After 2 years in jail he was released in 1993 and soon after rejoined the old outfit. Teli was earlier a stage artiste and was known as Nasir. On behalf on HUM he used to write threatening letters to targetted individuals. He also wrote and distributed, inflammatory posters.

Two days later the Delhi Police arrested 2 more militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. They were arrested from Saddar Bazar area. They were Iftikhar Nabi Saladi alias Sajjad and Zahur Ahmed Wani, both of Srinagar. In Delhi they were going about as shawl dealers. The third militant arrested from Rajghat area was Nisar Ahmed Rathar of JKLF. While Iftikhar had been trained in Kashmir, Wani was trained in a


Pakistani camp; Rather had been sent to Deli to take photographs and make sketches of important Government buildings and installations.

Mohammed Ashraf Lone/ a member of AL Jehad group was arrested on January 29 from West Delhi. In 1990 he joined Muslim Janbaz Force in Kashmir. Soon, as part of a group, he was sent to POK for arms training. On return to Kashmir he became part of Al Jehad group which undertook many attacks on Security Forces.

This arrest led to arrest of 4 other Kashmiri militants in the next two days. Habibullah Shah, a senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, was taken into custody in Adarsh Nagar locality where he was known as Mohammed Iqbal, an apple orchardist from Kashmir. During interrogation he disclosed that having joined militancy in 1990 he went across to Pakistan with a group of 125 recruits for arms training. On return he indulged in attacks on Security Forces. Miraj-ud-din Teli and Abdul Rashid Teli, both belonging to HUM, were arrested from another locality. Both were trained in use of arms in Pakistan in 1991. The fourth person arrested that day was Ghulam Mohidin Sheikh of Pattan in Baramulla District. He was a religious preacher belonging to Jamait-i-Islami. Police claimed that all the four were in Delhi to arrange safe hideouts for Kashmiri militants for transit to Pakistan and Nepal.

Within a week, Delhi Police arrested an important member of Harkat-ul-Ansar from Majnu-ka-Tilla area. He was identified as Muzaffar Ahmed Mir alias Aziz who was alleged to have been involved in attack on Army picquet near Hazartbal (Srinagar) in July 1995 in which 5 civilians los\ ttieir loves. Mix pined -rmtiterft outfit HatV.a\--u\-Arisar in 1994 and received his training in a camp in Afghanistan. On return he took part in subversive activities and in many ambushes on Security Forces in Kashmir Valley before travelling to Delhi.

Ibrahim Battoo was a member of a new outfit Hizb-ul-Momin. This Shia Muslim group had links with some Iranian militant groups who had helped to set it up in Kashmir. Battoo had been trained for more than 3 months in Pakistan iru.1991 and before landing up in Delhi he had taken part in a few incidents in Kashmir. He was arrested from Jama Masjid area on February 14,1996.

Delhi Police stepped up their vigilance firstly because of reports from Kashmir that a good number of militants had come to Delhi and secondly because they had arrested more Kashmiri militant in Delhi in January 1996 than in whole of 1995.

Bilal Ahmed Butt of Anantnag District in Kashmir was a taxi driver before he joined JKLF in late 1992. In 1993 he took part in a few attacks on BSF personnel. Once he took part in intergang clash with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen when two of its members were killed. Soon HUM cadres abducted Butt who was operating under code name Bittoo. After being

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released he shifted to Delhi for sometime. In April 1994 he returned to Kashmir and joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Later in the year he returned to Delhi where he worked as HUM contact man till he was arrested on February 18,1996.

Two days later Delhi Police arrested 4 Kashmiri members of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Police claimed that they were responsible for Saddar Bazar bomb blast in which on January 3, seven person had died and 36 injured. While Sadiq Mohammed. Sheikh, Nazir Ahmed, Mubarak and Aftab had been arrested, 3 of their colleagues were absconding. Their interrogation revealed that all of them received arms training in Pakistan. They were also trained in subversion. Sadiq had been arrested in Kashmir in 1992 for militant activity. He was released in 1995 and soon rejoined HUM. He was deputed to Delhi in November 1995 while others joined him in December. Their interrogation led to recovery of arms and ammunition from a village in Baramulla District and another village in Pulwama District in Kashmir Valley.

Delhi Police Commissioner Nikhil Kumar disclosed on February 20/ 1996 that a consignment of 361 pistols confiscated from a Motor Caravan of Two foreign tourists recently arrived from Pakistan, were meant to be handed over to 3 Kashmiri militants Haji Anees, Haji Manzoor and Ahsan, who had fled from Delhi.

A Pakistani national and a members of Pakistan's ISI, Sajjad Ahmed alias Abid Bhai was arrested on March 1,1996 by Delhi Police assisted by Army Intelligence Unit. Sajjad in Delhi was going about as a Kashmiri Shawl merchant, though he was a Science graduate from Faisalabad (Pakistan). His interrogation disclosed that he had close links with Harkat-ul-Ansar and Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfits in Kashmir where for many months he had taken part in attacks on Security Forces. He also admitted having guided in 1995 infiltration of about 200 militants of Harkat-ul-Ansar across the LOC in Jammu region. He also claimed close association with Hurriyat leader Abdul Ghani Lone who had given Sajjad Rs 30,000/- for terrorist activity in Soura area of Srinagar.

Within in week, Delhi Police arrested another Kashmiri militant also from Adarsh Nagar locality. He was Mohammed Ramzan Sheikh who belonged to Baramulla District in Kashmir. He received his arms training in Pakistan and at time of arrest he was a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen which he had joined in 1993. Ramzan had joined JKLF in 1991 and soon he crossed over to Pakistan where alongwith 600 other recruits he received arms training for 3 months in Pakistani run Al Badar II Camp. On return to Kashmir he participated in many actions in 1992. Later that year he took part in a bank dacoity. During interrogation he told Police that a score of hardcore members of HUM had arrived in I )t?lhi and rnd found refuge in different localities.


Another militant arrested in March 1996 was Bashir Ahmed Dhinda, a resident of Badgam District in Kashmir. He was an official in Pakistan ISI. Even after joining militant ranks he continued to have access to BDO office in Charar-i-Sharif and CMO in Budgam. While there he was involved in killing of 15 Army personnel at Beerwa and of 14 civilians at Nowhata in Srinagar. He came to Delhi in 1993 and stayed on to coordinate Kashmiri militants work in Delhi. Besides this, a "solidarity base" had to be established, "safe houses" had to be identified before any mission was undertaken. This setup was also to arrange jobs for militants coming from Kashmir, so that they have a "legitimate front." These "boys" were provided employment with Kashmiri businessmen and shopkeepers. Some were sent round as hawkers to enable them to gather information and move about without suspicion.

Delhi Police arrested Mohammed Amin Sheikh alias Nayeem Sidiqui, an experienced militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, in last week of March 1996. Soon after he decided to become HUM member, he was sent to Pakistan for arms training. Before returning to Kashmir he was given by ISI an AK-47 rifle a loaded magazine and two spare magazines and two hand grenades. This was indicative of ISI faith in him. In 4 years between 1991 and 1995 with his associates in Kashmir he took part in many operations in which many important HUM functionaries Ghulam Nabi, Manzoor Ahmed, Haider Zamil and Mohd. Ali Imran, Pakharpura .Area Commander also took part. Amin was hotly pursued by Security Forces and left Kashmir and went to Delhi in December 1995.

Early in April 1996, Delhi Police succeeded in arresting a highly trained member of Hizb-ul-Mujahudeen. Abdul Hamid Lone alias Zahid belonging to Anantnag District, soon after his induction into HUM was sent across to Pakistan, in 1990. With 450 other Kashmiri boys he received for 3 months arms training in Jhala Camp. Later he was sent to another Camp near the Afghan border and then to Khost Camp in Afghanistan for specialised training in LMGs, rocket launchers , big mortors and anti-aircraft guns. Alongwith 40 other militants and a large supply of arms he returned to Kashmir in 1991. For next 3 years he participated in 8 important encounters and a few ambushes of Security Forces. After his brother Abid Hussain, also a militant, died in an encounter in August 1995 he expressed a desire to quit militancy. As a result his Kalashinikov rifle was taken away by his Commander. To escape punishment at his hands. Lone went to Delhi, he confessed.

Delhi Police arrested in first week of April 1996 Ghulam Mohammed Khan who was a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Belonging to Kupwara District he was inducted into HUM in 1993 and received training in sophisticated arms and later took part in many actions. His interrogation revealed that he had managed to get recruited into Indian Army's J & K

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Light Infantry Regiment at Srinagar in August 1994 "with a view to infiltrate into the Army". He completed his regimental training in August 1995 and next month he deserted and went back to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen.

Ishaq Hussain Dangroo, a resident of Zadibal in Srinagar came into militant field in 1989 and became a member of JKLF. In Delhi he was arrested on April 15,1996. His interrogation revealed that with 12 others he had crossed over to Pakistan in 1989 where for 5 months he was trained to use arms and in techniques of subversion . On return to Kashmir he indulged in -various raids and assaults. In 1992 he was arrested and detained. On his release in 1994 he joined HUM and was assigned operations in Bandipore area where soon he was made the "Area Commander". When the Security Forces increased pressure he decided to leave the Valley. In February 1995 he reached Delhi. To escape detection he shifted his-residence frequently from'one "safe house" to other. All this while he posed as a shawl hawker or a carpet darner.

In Paharganj locality in a tourist lodge on April 21,1996 there was a blast which killed 9 persons. Next day at Srinagar, little known outfit Islami Harkat-ul-Momineen claimed responsibility for the blast.

Abdul Rashid Bhatt alias Aziz, was arrested from Jamma Masjid area on April 25,1996. He was a resident of Kupwara District of Kashmir and a senior member of HarJ<at-ul-Mujahideen. He was involved in many operations in north Kashmir and the Security Forces were hot on his trail. He escaped from the Valley. He first stayed at Jammu, then at Chandigarh Jallandhar and Ludhiana before reaching Delhi.. During interrogation he disclosed that he had received arms training in Pakistan. Having been trained in subversion he was infiltrated into Kashmir Valley to cause explosions.

Next day Police nabbed from near Liberty Cinema Hall on New Rohtak road, a wanted militant, Bilal Ahmed Zargar, a District Commander ( in Kashmirjof fanatic Al Jehad outfit. Operating under three aliases of Raja, Gosa and Mukesh Kumar, Bilal had operated in suburbs of Srinagar indulging in attacks on Security Forces. During interrogation he confessed that he had crossed over to Pakistan in 1990 where he received intensive training in use of arms and subversion. In April 1996 he was deputed to Pelhi to engineer a major terrorist strike. He frequently shifted from one guest house to another to avoid suspicion because he knew that he would get caught one day because of his record in Kashmir on number of killings in which he was involved.

Two \Jays later 0«\l\\ PolvK was. aUk to arcest fro-K1. Ajiaush Nagas (West DelhOa senior member of Moslem Janbaaz Force (MJF). Gohar Sultan MMik alias Gohar had been sent to Delhi to engineer incidents during Parliamentary election?-

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In crowded shopping centre of Central Market in Lajpat Nagar, on May 21,1996 a big blast took place in a parked Maruti car killing 25 persons. Same evening at Srinagar a militant outfit Lashkar-i-Sajjad, an offshoot of Islami Front claimed responsibility of this blast. The Police picked up threads and arrested two persons who had telephoned from Srinagar, a news agency making the claim. The were brought to Delhi and based on information provided by them, the Delhi Police made first arrest on June 14 from New Delhi Railway Station when Iftikhar and Naushad were taking train to Gorakhpur to cross over to Nepal. Police later arrested Latif and Mehmood Killey at Gorakhpur. Naza who had gone to Mussorie, was arrested there while Syed Maqbool Shah was arrested in Delhi. Naza was identified as Mirza Nisar Hussain and Iftikhar as Mirza Iftikhar Hussain. Delhi Police said that RDX explosives had been placed in a bag and put in the Maruti Car before it was parked in the Central Market. A week later, Bilal Beg and Javed Karwal and two other members of JKIF were arrested at Kathmandu, after they escaped from Delhi.

Hizb-ul-Mujahideen sent one of its Pakistani- trained militant to Delhi to assist other HUM members already there to organise terrorist strikes. Mohammed Sabir Khan had joined HUM in 1995 after training in POK and in next 8 months he took part in laying ambushes in Kashmir against Security Forces in which many lives were lost. He was arrested at Delhi on June 22,1996.

Twenty days later another member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was arrested from Jamma Masjid area of Delhi. Ghulam Nabi Sheikh alias Javed also known as Pervez was inducted into HUM in 1994 and sent across to Pakistan for arms training. On return he tooV part in 10 major incidents of attack on Security Forces before shifting to Delhi.

Before July end, Delhi Police claimed to have arrested a senior member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen who had arrived in Delhi to engineer a strike during Independence Day celebrations on August 15. Abdul Rehman Thakore was arrested from Azadpur Sabzi Mandi area. Thakore told his interrogators that he had joined HUM in 1991 and been trained in Pakistan where he had developed goodcontacts with IS1 officials who were his training instructors. In Kashmir, with his colleagues he had taken part in many encounters and a couple of kidnappings. In late 1994 in Anantnag District he was involved with blowing up of an Army truck.

Another militant who had been sent to Delhi to take part in some terrorist strike around Independence Day, was arrested on its eve ,from Chandni Chowk area. Nissar Ahmed Khan was a member of Al Jehad outfit in Kashmir. During sustained interrogation Nissar disclosed that he had received training in handling of firearms and explosives in POK in 1992 when he went over in a batch of 20 militants. On his return to the

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Valley in October 1992 he along with some others of his outfit participated in 8 attacks on BSF patrols and its bunkers. In all they were able to kill 9 personnel of BSF and 8 other civilians in these operations.

In December 1996 Delhi Police arrested a young militant who had 4 years record of violent actions in the "Valley. Bashir Ahmed Kalwal was an active member of Al Umar Commandos ,a terrorist outfit where his code name was Fayaz. He told Police that he had participated back in Kashmir ,in many attacks on Security Forces.

In first half of 1997 not many Kashmiri militants descended on Delhi. But few who did were nabbed by the Police because of the information provided by some local Kashmiri shopkeepers. To cause some blasts in Delhi around Diwali festival some outfits in Kashmir sent selected militants. On October 26,1997 three hardcore members of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen (TUM) were arrested from a guest house in Safdarjung Enclave alongwith over 1 kg of deadly RDX. They were Mohammed Shaffi Dhobi alias Yusuf Khan, Abdur Rashid Najar and Abdul Ahad Butt. Their interrogation revealed that Najar and Butt had gone to Kathmandu where they met Dhobi. All three returned to Delhi to engineer some blasts. In Delhi they posed as Kashmiri businessmen. AH three had received training in ISI run camps in POK.

In the first week of November 1997 three young Kashmiri militants reached New Delhi and were promptly arrested. They had been sent from Kashmir by two senior members of Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen(TUM)' to Delhi. Mohammed Imtiaz Butt alias Salim (19), Mohammed Shaffi Khan alias Ubaid (20) and Faiz Ahmed Butt alias Bilal (18) were arrested in Nizamudin area while they were waiting for TUM Military Advisor Adil Rehman, who was to make arrangements for their stay in Delhi and give them other instructions. From Delhi they were to be sent to Kathmandu and then on to Pakistan for training in arms and subversion. During interrogation it was revealed that in Nepal they were to be received by Latif alias Mota, a senior member of TUM and a major coordinator of the outfit.

On the last day of 1997 Police was able to arrest from Jamma Masjid area of Delhi a Pakistan-trained militant of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Abdul Hafiz Mugal (34) alias Qazi. During interrogation he revealed that his brother Abdul Wahid was also an active militant based at Kotli in POK and that from Surankot (near Poonch) he had been in touch with him. He admitted that he had been receiving large amounts of many from Pakistan through hawala channels, that he had worked as a security^ agent in Bombay between 1986 and 1988 and had many good contacts there. He also admitted that he had visited Saudi Arabia also. He disclosed that HUM had sent him to Delhi to locate sofe hideouts for


militants coming from J&K State. He was to visit Bombay for doing same there.

Kashmiri militants in 1998 continued to make Delhi a place of refuge when pressure against them increased in Jammu & Kashmir.

Javed Ahmed Nazar on arrival at the ISBT Bus Station on April 3, 1998 was arrested by Delhi Police. On interrogation it was learnt that he was a member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen and in 1994 had gone to Pakistan for training in subversion and arms. He was trained specially in use of rocket launchers, remote control devices and making of IEDS. He was also deputed to Afghanistan for advance training. He was sent back to India in 1997 with a big consignment of arms for HUM Commander of Rajouri region. When he returned to the Valley and the Security Forces pursued him hotly, he made a friend of his to send a latter to his father intimating him about Javed's death in an encounter. His family performed his funeral rites. But he was soon spotted and fearing his arrest his Commander decided to send him to Delhi where he would work with other HUM cadres already hiding there.

A fortnight later the Police arrested a JKLF militant who was working as a Liaison officer of a private Company in South Delhi locality. Bashir Ahmed Shalla had joined JKLF in 1990 and received arms training in POK. Back in the Valley he took part in attacks onCRPF patrols and also extorted money from businessmen. When things became too hot for him he went to Pune where he was employed in a Handicraft Emporium. He went to Kathmandu after few months and after working there for sometime and having got fresh instructions from 1S1 contacts there, he returned to Delhi.

Delhi Police was able to arrest 3 Kashmiri militants from two different area on May 27, 1998. Mukhtar Ahmed Bhat of Al Umar Mujahideen was picked up from Bhogal area. He had sought refuge in Delhi after hot pursuit in Kashmir. His interrogation disclosed that he joined militants ranks in 1992 and got arms training in POK and Pakistan. The other two were arrested from Jamma Masjid area. They were Ali Mohammed Wani of JKLF and Bilal Ahmed Sheikh of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Both had received amis training and participated in "action" against Security Forces in Kashmir.

A Muslim Burmese member of Harkat-ul-Ansar was arrested from Jamma Masjid area on July 10. Karim (20) during interrogation revealed that 7 years ago he had joined Burmese militant movement but when the pressure of Security Forces there increased his parents and he crossed over to Bangladesh and settled there. He entered India in 1994 illegally and travelled to Kashmir where at Sopore he joined HUA outfit. He was member of a group that was deputed to attack Army personnel and their vehicles in Barnmulln District, resulting in death of many armymen.

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In 1995 he crossed over to Pakistan. Recently he returned to India through Bangladesh.

A Kashmiri woman militant was arrested on July 28 from Jamma Masjid area. Mrs Shaheena Nazar (22) alias Shanoo Khan claimed that she was member of CRPF which on verification was found to be untrue. Police said she was in reality a member of women outfit, Dukhtaran-i-Millat. During interrogation she disclosed that she joined militant ranks in 1991 after she fell in love with a JKLF militant who soon after died, in an encounter. She then decided to avenge her husband's death. Some time later she joined Hizb-ul-Mujahideen but soon went over to Dukhtaran-i-Millat outfit. She disclosed that in Kashmir she had been detained for two weeks in 1995 when she was apprehended for trying to infiltrate into a security instalation. She had been sent to Delhi to help organise terrorist activities on Independence Day.

Three days later the Police acting on disclosures made by detained Kashmiri militants arrested 5 insurgents belonging to Lashkar-i-Toiba (LET). They were arrested from the New Delhi Railway Station and 2 kg of RDX, 1 kg PETN and 10 detonators were recovered from them. These were to be used to disrupt Independence Day celebration 17 days later.

In Inter State Bus Terminus (ISBT) Delhi there was a bomb blast in a Haryana Roadways bus on July 26,1998 resulting in extensive damage. The Police intensified work of getting hold of those responsible for it. On August 17, it was able to arrest Kashmiri militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. They were Mushtaq Ahmed Gilkar, alias Haider Ali, Fayaz Ahmed Paddar alias Tahir, Mushtaq Ahmed Butt alias Jawed and Sohail Idris. Gilkar was reported to be outfit's Chief Administrator. Sohail was using STD calls from Srinagar to receive massages for Gilkar. This way the Police was able to get vital information about Ali Mohammed Dar, HUM Acting Chief Commander, which was passed to Srinagar Police. Based on this Dar's hideout in Srinagar was raided and Dar with his two accomplices, was killed. Dar had carried a prize of Rs 10 lacs on is head. Following this, Delhi Police Commissioner expressed his deep concern that too many anti-social elements were seeking a base in Delhi with deadly weapons and explosives. Large quantities of RDX and other explosives and weapons with over Rs 47 lacs in cash were recovered from the truck in which these 4 HUM militants were travelling when arrested.

In September, Delhi Police arrested three members of Harkat-ul-Ansar alongwith 4 kgs of RDX and PETN explosives which was to be used to cause explosions in different parts of Delhi. Abdul Gafoorand Suhail who headed 11UA operations in U.P., after arrest, led Police to Tasleem's hideout. Tasleem's brother Salim Kari according to Police was Chief Organiser of 11UA operations in Deihi and U.P.. I W is claimed to


be an expert in explosives. Sohail was trained in use of arms in POK. Kari had reportedly gone to Pakistan.

Many tourist places in Rajasthan have attracted Kashmiri shopkeepers selling handicrafts, Jaipur has a large number of them. It was natural that some militants would seek refuge there. In September 1996 in a suburb of Jaipur, five Kashmiri youngmen were arrested when they were fleeing in a vehicle after robbing a Petrol Pump salesman.

In 1994 the Anti-Terrorist Squad of Gujarat Police had information that nearly 150 JKLF Kashmiri militants had taken refuge in different parts of Gujarat and Maharashtra after having taken part in terrorist acts and subversion in Kashmir. In February, the Police arrested Manzoor Butt and Mushtaq Ahmed Shah from Kim village near Kosamba in Surat District. Mushtaq was reported to be a JKLF Commander. During interrogation he confessed that be had motivated large number of Kashmir youth for arms training in ISI camps in POK. After joining JKLF he had taken 200 Kashmiri youth in March 1990 to POK where they received training under retired officeis of Pakistan Army, in 20 training Camps set up for this purpose. They were trained in use of sophisticated weapons and special techniques of blowing up bridges and army camps with remote control devices.

It seems that Police was not able to arrest all the militants who had taken refuge in Gujarat. In June 1996 in Ahmedabad the Police arrested one Jawed Ali Khan who later confessed that he had transported a bagful of RDX to Delhi where it was used for a major explosion in Lajpat Nagar Central Market on May 21,1996.

Gujarat Police had intimation of may militants from Kashmir having gone over to different parts of Maharashtra.. In September 1993 in Bombay, three Kashmiri militants were taken into custody. During their intensive interrogation locations of many hideouts of the militants from Kashmir became known. On September 26, Police raided a Guest House in Central Bombay and took 3 Kashmiri militants into custody. Explosives and chemicals used for making IDEs were reportedly siezed. Interrogation revealed that one arrested was an explosives expert and the second was involved in an Explosion in Jammu earlier which took toll of 8 lives. Those arrested was identified as Mohammed Aslam Khan (53), Mohammed Sajjid (28) and Irfan Abdul Latif Khan (20). Police said they had planned to use lEDs to create terror during Ganpati festival.

In May 1996 Bombay Police received intelligence report that a hardcore Kashmiri terrorist Assadullah had come to Bombay with a consignment of deadly RDX explosives. He was reported to be a senior member of Lashkar-i-Toiba, a Pakistan based outfit. The RDX was to be handed over Kashmiri militants already ensconed in hideouts in the metropolis, for use at "appropriate time." A red alert was sounded. Police

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suspected that LET militant was part of gang which was responsible for recent bomb blasts in Delhi and Rajasthan. The Police stepped up monitoring of Kashmiris living in different localities of Mumbai."

Bangalore's Kashmiri population went up manifold after eruption of militancy in Kashmir in early 1990. The number of outlets selling Kashmir handicrafts mushroomed. Kashmiri students in thousands secured admissions in professional collages in Karnataka and particularly in Bangalore. Towards end of 1993, Police had reports that some groups of Kashmiri militants had taken up residence in Bangalore. In December the Police raided some hideouts and arrested 14 militants who had recently arrived from Kashmir.

Kashmir's shawl sellers were annual visitors to Calcutta in winter but after 1990 their number was noticeably increased. This created suspicion in the Police. Besides, reports had been received from Kashmir that with the pressure of the Security Forces having increased, many militants were escaping from the Valley and some would land up in Calcutta.

On June 4,1997 the Calcutta Police arrested a Deputy Commander of outfit Al Umar Commandos from the mess run by the employees of Kashmir Government Arts Emporium. Aijaz Latif had arrived in Calcutta same day. During interrogation he disclosed that he had joined the Al Umar outfit in 1992 and was sent across the LOC for arms training. Back in Kashmir he took part in many armed attacks including 5 on security forces camps. He carried a prize of Rs 5 / - lacs on his head and had been arrested in 2994 in Kashmir. In 1995 he was released and went back to terrorist activities. Latif admitted that from Calcutta he had planned to go to Nepal.

Hyderabad had attracted Kashmiri militants because of large muslim population and also because it was nerve center of Peoples War Group (PWG) which also believed in violence to settle scores. On November 29,1992 there was a shootout in Brindavan Colony in which a Special Intelligence Bureau officer and a constable were killed. The Police suspected hand of Kashmiri militants who had frequented Hyderabad since 1991. The Police detained 5 persons including two women, suspected to be involved in shootout. The Police suspected nexus between the Kashmiri militants and "some local groups."

On November 11, 1993 Hyderabad Police arrested two Kashmiri militants and a local associate. Gowhar Amin Mir (24) and Nisar Ahmed Bhat (34) bom belonging to Srinagar, were members of J&K Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen. Mir had registered as a student of local College of Indian Medicine. Bhat had recently arrived from Srinagar to recruit a fresh batch of local youth for arms training in Pakistan. Some batches sent earlier, were expected to return soon. From Bhal's bidet ml Police recovered arms.


ammunition and Rs 20,000/- in cash. Their local contact Liaqat Khan was also arrested later. Police suspected more militants to be in the City and decided to intensify their vigil including questioning of Kashmiri shopkeepers.

Bilal Ahmed Kaloo, coming from Badgam District in Kashmir, had been living in a house in old city area of Hyderabad and posing as a professional tailor. On January 20, 1994 the City Police arrested Kaloo alleging that he was "Jan Billa" a very active member of Al Jehad in Kashmir. He had taken part in encounter with Security Force and was alleged to have murdered a police informer in May 1992. In Hyderabad he was engaged in motivating local youth to go to Pakistan for training in arms and subversion. He also had planned explosions in different parts of Hyderabad, Police alleged.

Azam Ghouri and his associate Abu Talha were arrested by Jammu Police on September 23,1998 when they crossed the LOC in Surankot area of Poonch District in J&K. Ghouri's interrogation revealed that he belonged to Andhra Pradesh (Warangal District) and was an active member of PWG till he got injured in a grenade attack about a decade ago. Later he shifted to Bombay from where he went to Pakistan and there he joined Lashkar-i-Toiba outfit. He maintained his contact with PWG at Hyderabad and paid a couple of visits when question of supply of arms to PWG was finalised. PWG also made some contacts with certain militant groups in Kashmir. These groups were reported to be having latest and sophisticated arms etc., with them. Some underground dumps in Kashmir could become the supply points for PWG, to enable it step up guerrilla activity in Telengana region. When Ghouri was arrested, Jammu Police also recovered large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosive materials.

A number of areas in Uttar Pradesh have pockets of concentration of muslim population and Kashmiri militants thought they would get sympathisers and therefore secure safe shelters.

In a hotel in Agra in second week of February 1993 there was a bomb blast. The local police alleged that Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen of Kashmir had a hand in it. Two days later at Srinagar, the outfit spokesman vehemently denied that its members were responsible for the blast.

In last week of March 1993 in a cinema hall in Lakhimpur (Kheri District) in a bomb blast 4 persons died and 40 were injured. The U.P-Police suspected some Kashmiri militant group for this. In 1992 in a cinema hall in the same District a bomb blast had left 3 dead. Its responsibility had been claimed by Kashmir-based Ikhwan-ul-Musalmeen.

In October 1994 a major strike was made by Kashmiri militants in concert with ISI and Pakistan Jamait-i-ls\ami, when 4 foreigner were

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abducted from Delhi and held hostages in Ghaziabad and Saharanpur. On October 31, the US national Bela Joseph Nuss (43), one of the 4 hostages was rescued from a house in a village outside Ghaziabad by Police after an encounter. Nuss had been abducted on October 20. On November 1 the three Britons were got released from a house on the outskirts of Saharanpur after fierce encounter in which two police officials and one militant were killed. The 3 Briton hostages rescued were: Rhys Curget Partridge (27), Christopher Miles Crosta (28) and Paul Benjamin Ridout (26). A hitherto unknown organisation, "Al Hadid" based in Afghan tribal area, claimed responsibility for the abduction. On behalf of the outfit a letter in a closed cover was delivered in New Delhi office of BBC Correspondent. Letter addressed to Chief of World News Service included photocopies of Passports of all 4 hostages and two Poloroid photographs showing the hostages with guns held against their heads. Similar letter was sent •to the office of Voice of America, in Delhi. The letter mentioned, "Our hostages are yet unhurt. Unless our brothers are released, our Western hostages, the guests of Indian Government, will be beheaded one by one." It was made known that Al Hedid wanted release of -10 Kashmiri militants, belonging to various groups detained in different jails. They were Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar alias Latram, of Al Umar Mujahideen, Ahsan Dar, founder member of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Other 8 included Sultan Ahmed, Mohammed Salim, Irfan (Anantnag), Akram (Sopore) and Mushtaq Ahmed Goga. The 3 Pakistani militants also in Kashmir jails whose "release was demanded were Mohammed Masood Azhar, Nassarullah Largayal and Sajjad Afghani. The Police was able to arrest 5 militants from the house where 3 Britons were held.

The abduction was masterminded by Ahmed Omar Sheikh Sayed alias Amir, a British national and a former student of prestigious London School of Economics. In England he was persuaded by a UK^ based Kashmir militant outfit to so to Pakistan and receive training in arms and explosives. In 1993 he arrived in Pakistan and soon got in touch with Jamait-i-Islami who arranged for his training. Amir after being arrested near Ghaziabad told his interrogators that he came by air from Lahore on July 26 and started living in a hotel in Paharganj area of Delhi. Some Kashmiri militants contacted him there. Among them was Mohammed Nazir alias Saifullah who was also arrested after Amir was nabbed. Amir befriended the foreign tourists, meeting them separately. Since he was British national and a student of LSE the 3 Britons and one American did not suspect him, when he invited them to Ghaziabad and Saharanpur. During interrogation Amir disclosed that he had been trained also in Bosnia in camps paid for by Pakistan. Pakistan's High Commissioner in London dismissed the claim that Pakistan funded the training that Amir received.


Meerut has a big colony where scissors are made in thousands by traditional muslim families. The area is called Kainchianwali Basti because there are over 500 units making scissors of different sizes for various purposes. In middle of March 1996 the Police arrested 5 Kashmiri militants who had sought refuge with one family. They were found to be meeting frequently members of a fundamentalist organisation-This alerted the Police who kept close watch for many days before arresting them.

A bomb blast in Modinagar near Ghaziabad on April 27,1996 killed 16 persons. The claim for the blast came from a little known Kashmiri militant group J&K Islami Harkat-ul-Momineen.

Western U.P. has a muslim population of over 20% and with hurt feelings since demolition of Babri Masjid, Kashmiri militant groups found the ground conducive for recruiting youngmen for terrorist activities as planned by ISI. A reliable report claims that about 75 local youths were recruited there after December 1989 and received arms training in Kashmir. In June 1994 a Kashmiri agent of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Mushtaq Ahmed Rathar was arrested. Though ostensibly studying Unani Medicine at Gaya, he was arrested for recruiting young muslim from Meerut and Saharanpur. The Naib Imam of Delhi Jamma Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari about this drive remarked, "Unemployment and oppression can force the youth to take to terrorism". Moulana Asad Madniof Deoband and a former Congress Member of Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament) said, "no one can .give a guarantee for the muslim youth (on whether they will take to terrorism). Today, no father can give a guarantee for his son."

Punjab had special magnetic pull for the Kashmiri militants because of 12 year long spell of Pakistan inspired militancy in Punjab. The ISI had brought together some representatives of Punjab and Kashmir militant outfits, somewhere in Kashmir where certain understanding was reached on supply of arms and coordinated operations in two neighbouring states. It was therefore logical for Kashmiri militants seeking refuge outside to go to Punjab. Beside, for decades Kashmiri labor had in winters migrated in large numbers to cities and town of Punjab especially Amritsar, Jallandhar, Ludhiana and Chandigarh,

In September 1993 Chandigarh Police unearthed two hideouts of Kashmiri militants. It arrested Ghulam Hussain Sheikh of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. He told Police that he was trained in use of arms and subversions. He said in Chandigarh, he was to locate hideouts for militants who were to arrive later from Kashmir. From information given by him. Police arrested militant Ghulam Mohidin from another residential area. Both were posing to be,rickshaw pullers.

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In 1995 the number of terrorist strikes had gone down in Punjab and neighbouring States. Chandigarh was chosen as a safe centre for the Kashmiri militant commanders to hold a meeting to chalk out plans to escalate violence to show their presence and spread terror. On March 11,1996 when they were holding a meeting at Kharar in Ropar District, Police arrested 6 militants belonging to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, Jamait-i-Mujahdeen and Rukne Jammat, a fringe fundamentalist wing of Jammat-i-Islami. The militants identified were: Mohammed Muzaffar Mir alias Sher Khan, Mohammed Yasin Sheikh alias Yasin, Mohammed, Maqbool Dar, AH Mohammed Khan, Ghulam Mohammed Mir alias Saleem and Abdus Salam Lavey. Their interrogation revealed that they were planning an all India network of hideouts for coordinated action in Punjab, Delhi and beyond on advice received from Pakistan. They confessed that they received training in two camps in Pakistan. In Jammu & Kashmir they were involved in over 20 incidents of firing on security forces, killings, kidnappings and extortion of money.

Within next two weeks three Kashmiri militants were arrested in Ludhiana. They were identified as Mohammed. Ayub'Khan alias Zuber Khan, Ghulam Mohammed Malik alias Wahid and Ashiq Hussain alias Wasim. All 3 were members of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. According to Punjab Police they had been sent to Punjab to kill W I P s and spread terror. The interrogation revealed that Ayub with 45 other boys had crossed over to Pakistan for training, in March 1990. He was also sent to Afghanistan for advance training in guerrilla warfare. Before end of the year he returned to Kashmir and took part in action. Ashiq Hussain went to Pakistan in 1991 and returned after 7 months training. Malik also received training in a Pakistan camp. According to Punjab Police all three were wanted in many cases in J&K State.

Because of the Parliamentary elections being held then, the Punjab Police had mounted extra vigil for suspects. They were monitoring movement of Kashmiris in different cities. From Qadian in Batala District on April 12,1996 the Police arrested a Kashmiri militant Abdul Majid Sheikh along with 4 handgrenades and a German Mouser (Revolver). Qadian being the headquarters of Ahmediayas, is a special target of fundamentalist muslims belonging to Wahabi school of thought.

By May 1996 Punjab Police seemed really worried because of growing number of diose Kashmiri militants who had surrendered in Jammu &Kashmir and had migrated to Punjab for safety. Active and senior militants were visiting different cities of Punjab to contact them and persuade them to return to their fold for being activised; Police believed this was being done on instructions of IS1

Amritsar Police on May 14,1996 apprehended Asghar Ali Khan, a Kashmiri "Area Commander" of Harkat-ul-Ansar. Khan operate d under


code name of Naseer Ahmed. During interrogation he disclosed that he was contacting surrendered militants living in different parts of Punjab, rearm them and place them under a Punjab militant outfit for operational directions.

In next couple of years, Punjab Police did not lower its guards. It had some success in apprehending a score of Kashmiri militants.

Himachal Pradesh has long common border with Jammu region's Doda District,in high mountains.- Between its Bhadarwah Tehsil and

• Chamba District of HP there are a number of high passes which have provided passage to bakerwal and gaddi nomads and to those wanting to travel from one area to the other. The racial stock is same; dialects spoken are not much different. The border between the States in this mountainous area was not manned by police till mid 1990s.

In June 1991 Jammu Police informed Police in Himachal that many Kashmiri militants had gone to Simla. Acting on this information the HP Police arrested on June 22, six activists of JKLF from Kusumpti near Simla. All of them belonged to Kupwara District in Kashmir

Without being detected, militants during 1992 kept crossing over ,from Bhaderwah in Doda District into Chamba District (HP) upper reaches and identified safe hideouts there.

In June 1993 a Himachal Police party on patrol outside Jalori village,was fired upon by 6 armed militants. They quickly fled back to Bhaderwah. They reportedly left behind a note on behalf of Hizb-1-Mujahideen. The police in both States got alerted and patrolling on 80 km stretch of border in this part, was stepped up. Five new Police posts were set up. But this did not deter the Kashmiri militants to make forays into Kihar and Teesa areas near the border.

Two HP policemen were shot dead in Singhladhar area of Chamba District by Kashmiri militants on September 14, 1993. The other 3 policemen returned fire and chased the militants away. The Police intensified their efforts to nab the militants. On September 30, the police was able to arrest from Chili village near the border, two militants, Abdullah and Qasim Mir. They confessed to police that they were part of the militant group that fired on Police Patrol on September 14, in Teesa area.

The HP Police kept up the search of the jungles in the upper reaches of Chamba District. In an encounter on November 10 at Kundi Maral in this forest, one militant was killed while others managed to escape. This was third major incident in as many months of Kashmiri militants striking in Chamba District.

In May 1994 eight Kashmiri militants were arrested from Naptha-Jhakri Project area near Jhakri in Upper Simla, in a police raid jointly conducted by HP and Punjab Police. The militants were working as

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labourers on the Project but were alleged to belong to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit and were wanted by Punjab Police.

For next three years or so the Kashmiri militants kept low profile in the border areas of Chamba District. However, the HP Police kept a dose watch on Kashmiris working in the State.

The Police arrested from Jawali area in Kangra District in September 1997 one Zakir Hussain of Harkat-uI-Ansar. Police alleged that he had been impersonating as an Army Major and was caught while kidnapping two widows of deceased armymen. After taking them hostages, Hussain planned to demand in return release of one of his colleagues in a J&K jail. During interrogation he confessed that he had been earlier actively involved in terrorist activities in Kashmir Valley as also in Doda District and Jammu City. He admitted that he had taken part in 7 encounters with armymen in Jammu & Kashmir in which many had been killed. He was engaged in recruiting youth in Kangra and Chamba Districts to engage in terrorist activity. He had also persuaded the moslem hefb collectors in the forest area to receive arms training after joining militant ranks.

Militants not connected with Zakir Hussain, were able to kidnap 21 herb collectors and kept them, confined. They were released only after their colleagues and relations were able to pay a ransom of Rs. 11,500/-a big amount for poor herb collectors.

In the summer of 1998 the herb collectors resumed their activity. In early July tKe^sKmkirrdlitaTAte crossing over feoraBhadetwab-areaof Doda District killed four herb collectors. For poor herb collectors as it was it had become a difficult proposition. This being their only livelihood they are hesitant to venture out fearing killing or abduction. The Security Forces man only the the beaten track of Langera-Khundi Maral route between the two States but herb collectors have to go to upper reaches of the forest areas.

In the upper reaches of Chamba District, Baragarh-Pangi road was under construction and all along there were labour camps. One such > camp was at Kalaban. On the night of August 2-3,1998, Kashmiri militants,15 to 20 in number, surrounded their tents. They had long beards and were dressed in black Pa than suits, accordng to the survivors. The J&K Police DC Gurbachan Jagat believed that the militants belonged to Lashkar-i-Toiba outfit. They reportedly crossed^fl'om Doda District to Chamba District through Malur Pass since there was hardly any police presence there. Two labourers who managed to escape said that the militants separated moslems from the rest and took them away. The Hindu labourers were taken out of tents, their hands tied with ropes lying around in Ihe tents and they were lined up. Some were shot dead there but others h.id their throats slit leaving llieni to Meed to death-


This was in Kliovey Belli Camp. Two women whose husbands were killed escaped under cover of darkness and ran 10 odd kilometers to Baragarh to secure help. In the meantime after killing 24 persons the militants went over to Sa trundi Camp some two hours walk through dense forest. There they shot 11 labourers and others while 12 were left injured. On August 4, there was mass cremation of 35 victims at Teesa and Shimba villages. The fleeing militants took along with them 9 persons to carry the loot from the two labour camps. While 3 hostages - Latif, Ahmed Din and Mohammed Sharif—were released, other 6 were taken as hostages. The militants were believed to have escaped to Pangi Valley via Saach Pass on their way to Kishtwar area in Doda District.

Following the Chamba massacre the Police forces of J&K and Himachal Pradesh refashioned their strategy. Powers were given to Police in both the States to enter each others territory while chasing militants. The Jammu Police decided to set up picquets all along the 80 kms long mountainous border between the two States from Thanla to Ishtiyari. Intensified patrolling was to be undertaken at Sheru,Yugsar and Ishtiyari. The Police continued to trace involvement of others in the massacre. Punjab Police had arrested from Gurdaspur area one Billu Gujar. He is reported to have a kotha (a gujar mud and log hut) at Baju ka Bagh near Khuni Maral close to Doda border. His interrogation and that of Sharif (one of the three hostages released by militants earlier) corraborated and the police was able to locate many other hideouts and get information about some local links. But the Police was not absolutely certain that Billa Gujar was the real ring leader of those involved in the massacre. The search continued for the right "Gujar". He was suspected to be Din Mohammed Gujar, an Area Commander of Hizb-ul-Mujahideen operating in eastern parts of Doda District for past two or three years. The Police kept track of this prime suspect on both sides of the border. On February 12,1999, the Army personnel were able to track down three militants in Thathri area of Doda District. In a three hour encounter all the 3 militants were killed. One of them was identified as Din Mohammed Gujar who, police was certain, had masterminded the

. Chamba carnage and had led the attack on the camps. He was alleged to "have been in a series of killings, kidnappings, extortions and rapes all over Doda District.

Earlier to this, the Police forces of the 3 States of Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh joined hands, revised the strategy and launched coordinated operations in big mountainous border area between Doda and Knthua Districts in Jammu & Kashmir and Chambn District of I Iimnchnl. The ITBP and Rashtriya Rifles from Paddar in northern part of Doda I district, J&K Police and CRPF from Bani in Knthua District and (IP Pol ice, Punjab Police and Indian Reserve Police from

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Chamba. In all ,over 3000 police personnel combed the area to clear it of militants from the border areas, from August 19,1998.

In the meantime, the Himachal Government intensified its vigil on the large Kashmiri population which is spread in different cities and towns of the State as also the interiors where Projects have been taken up. Since eruption of militancy in Kashmir, increasing number of Kashmiri workforce have been coming to Himachal Pradesh. A good number of Kashmiris have also made inroads into tourism and hotel trade.

After consultations at various levels over a period, it was decided that the area of Himachal bordering on Jammu & Kashmir need to be freed of militants and later ensured that no infiltration of militants takes place. The Chamba region was entrusted to the ITBP since it was also engaged in counter insurgency operation in adjoining areas of Doda District and South-eastern parts of Kashmir Valley. The DG of ITBP claimed on 25the March 1999 that Chamba woods had been "freed from militants as the ITBP had destroyed sixteen well built hide-outs of militants and taken control of the area".

India has nearly 1850 km long border with Nepal. This border is by and large, porous with not many manned checkposts. Traditionally, there has been no strict enforcement of immigration law. The travel from one country to the other for Nepalese and Indian nationals, is without restrictions. No passport or visa is required to cross the border for these nationals.

P ak\stei\ «i\}oys good, diplomatic ^ invited the King and Queen of Nepal to pay a State visit. Pakistan maintain the second largest Embassy at Kathmandu, next only to India. Pakistan's Habib Bank is also a partner in Nepal's Himalayan Bank. There are three air services a week between Kathmandu and Karachi. As things are at present, it is not difficult to get a genuine Nepalese Passport. All that is required is a citizenship certificate which can be issued by any of the 75 Chief District Officers. Such cer tifica tes are reportedly being issued after 10 days stay and of course, a price-from 5000/- to 10,000/r Nepalese Rupees. The muslim population in the Kathmandu Valley is small but in the Terai region, it is sizeable. The ISI concentrated its attention on the. southern parts of Nepal which have common border with Gorakhpur. Division of Eastern Uttar Pradesh and northeastern parts of Bihar. .In past 4 or 5 years there has been spurt of activity of fundamentalist on both sides of the Indo-Nepal border. Reports speak of mushrooming of mosques and madrasas numbering over 300 with financial assistance coming from outside. The muslim population in adjoining Nepalese areas has shown substantial increase in this period. The ISI has reportedly managed to recruit many operatives Irom .imong this pnpulr'.^.n.


Smuggling of arms, narcotics and electronic items takes place on large scale but Police is unable to do much because of considerable patronage the smugglers enjoy, of important leaders of different political parties in both the countries.

As far back as 1992 the Pakistan ISI had decided to use Nepal as a transit base for the Kashmiri militants to travel to and from Pakistan since going across the LOC was becoming more and more difficult especially for more important militants. The modus operandi was simple. Militants were trained in Pakistan and traveled to Nepal on Pakistan Passports. From Nepal they could enter India as Indian nationals without suspicion ad get back to Kashmir. Allegedly, Pakistan Embassy is being used by ISI operatives as a convenient and protected place to work.

Though Kathmandu was made a base by Pakistan ISI in 1992 it took many months to have basic structure for its operations. Many hideouts were decided upon, some local contacts were cultivated, communication channels decided upon, locations for crossing the Indo-Nepalese border decided, dependable operatives decided and tested. Next couple of years were used to have many "dry runs" of the routes to be followed and to give confidence to militants from Kashmir to use Nepal as a transit base for visits to and from Pakistan and also as a safe haven after operations in Indian territories.

In middle of December 1996, Nepal Police seized over 20 Kgs of RDX at Kathmandu from a Kashmiri from Gangbon locality. Many Kashmiris had been living in a house there and Police had kept a close watch on them because of information that a consignment of explosives including RDX was to be sent shortly to India. One of the Kashmiris, Manzoor Ahmed one day went to a communication centre in Tahmil locality. As he collected a fax message, Police questioned him. The message was from India. According to Additional IGP the message gave details and diagrams of the explosives including the method to detonate them. Manzoor Ahmed turned out to be a senior activist of JKLF. He led them to the house from where the RDX consignment was recovered. Manzoor during interrogation, told Police that the explosives were meant to be sent to Delhi for use to create disturbances there around the Republic Day (January 26, 1997). According to the aborted plan RDX was to be planted in microphone near the VVIP enclosure during the Parade, besides being used at other locations as decided by ISI. An accomplice of Manzoor, was also arrested next day. He was identified as Salim Ahmed also a member of JKLF. Four member of J&K Islamic Front including Faynz Ahmed Shah were arrested on January 18 from La/impet alongwith 18 Kgs of RDX.

The voar 19L)7 saw Kathmandu being used very frequently by Kashmiri militants. They used it to transit to and from Pakistan witlunit

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any difficulty. It also became a safe haven for all those who wanted to make a quick getaway after undertaking an important assignment especially in Northern India. Every major Kashmiri militant outfit had positioned a senior and reliable representative at Kathmandu who was in contact with ISI operatives and some selected officials in the Pakistan Embassy.

Among others, Mohd. Shaffi Dhobi was one such militants who was stationed at Kathmandu. He belonged to Tehrek-ul-Mujahideen and had been sent there in 1992 and stayed on though he made many trips to Delhi n the next 4 yeas. TUM resident representative was one Latif Mota alias Nawazish who had developed good contacts with Government officials and political workers. He was reported to be a "close friend "of "Nayeem" who was an important functionary of ISI stationed at Kathmandu and mostly arranged funds and forged passports for Kashmiri militants.

Dhobi and two others, Abdul Rashid Najar and Abdul Ahad Bhat went to Delhi in October 1997 for an important meeting with some militants who had reached there from Kashmir. All three were arrested by Delhi Police from a Guest House on October 27.

Kathmandu Police in middle October 1997 arrested 6 members of J&K Islamic Front from the Airport when they were about to board a direct flight for Karachi. They were travelling on forged passports reportedly issued by a travel agent based in the Pakistan Embassy. One of the arrested militants produced a letter issued by an official of Pakistan Embassy stating that "Mohd.Shaffi Khan is a Pakistani citizen who has lost his passport and he should be allowed to return". Nepal Police confirmed this fact.

India had all along conveyed its concern about the Indian militants using Nepalese hospitality for activities which India found to be objectionable. Her anxiety got heightened when in January 1997 the Nepalese Police found 30 kgs of RDX in diplomatic bags bound for Pakistan Embassy at Kathmandu. The Nepalese Foreign Office singled out Pakistan diplomatic contingent whose official baggage was searched at Tribhuvan Airport. The Indian Ambassador took up the matter with the Nepalese Government calling it a "matter of grave concern". He said that "movement of explosives and ISI activities is serious".

Mirza Dilshad Beg was an Indian national from Deoria Distrtict of eastern Uttar Pradesh. In the 1980s he shifted to Nepal and soon became a " man of means and connections." He floated a small political outfit. Later he joined the Rashtriya Prajatantra Party. He fought two parliamentary elections from Kapilvatsu constituency in Western Nepal. Successful both times, he was made Minister of Stai* for I lousing and Training in Girija Prasad Koiralo Government in 1497. When Koirala Government fell, as leader of moslems in Nepal lie became a sought


after Member of Pratinidhi Sabha (Lower House oi Parliament). On the night of June 29,1998 he was shot dead by unidentified gunmen as he alighted from his car to go to the house of his second wife. His driver was also killed.

In about 4 years before his death he was believed to have become a close friend and partner of Dubai-based Dawood Ibrahim, a world-known operative. Beg was known to be the major conduit of the Pakistani ISI for funnelling arms, ammunition, explosives etc.,into India for terrorist acts. He was alleged to have been the "prime person" in Nepal who was "Godfather" for the Kashmir militants who found him very helpful in finding hideouts, arranging funds and travel documents, getting arms and explosives safely transported etc. Police records show that when he died there were eight criminal cases registered against him in Gonda and Gorakhpur police stations in Uttar Pradesh for alleged gun running and gold smuggling. According to records, seven AK-47 rifles were recovered from his vehicle while he was going to Mahendernagar in UP from Krishnanagar in Nepal.

It took many months after his death before somebody could fill the void. Two persons emerged as contenders. One is Dilshad's confidante Tahir Shah Tapoo and the other is Dilshad's nephew, Afzal Beg. Neither of them has been able to win over the confidence of major outfits of Kashmiri militants. More than that, it will be the ISI decision whether the Kashmiri militants will come under the wings of one or the other. But Nepal will continue to have some place of importance for Kashmiri militants.

In November 1998 over 19 kgs of RDX was seized in Kathmandu. Interrogation of suspects disclosed the involvement allegedly of Pakistan Embassy officials. At least 3 officials were named by the suspect. They were First Secretary Arshad Cheema, Counsellor Ejaz Hussain Manhas and a clerk, Aslam Saboor. It was suspected that this RDX consignment was being sent to Delhi for use to engineer terrorist acts during the Republic Day celebrations in January 1999. India soon took up the matter with Nepalese authorities. The Nepalese newspapers covered it widely and condemned Pakistani role in encouraging and abetting terrorism in the region. Editorial in the "Commander" dated December 4,1998 said, "It has become clear to all that Pakistan is encouraging Islamic terrorists to use Nepalese territory for anti-India activities. The RDX episode has further highlighted the role of these smugglers who are trying to suppress news and are covering up the involvement of Pakistani diplomats. If thet,e smugglers are not exposed, those who are inciting Islamic terrorists against India can also encourage the use of RDX against Nepal." Other newspapers including "Innambhoomi" and "Asan Bazar" also criticised the alleged involvement of Pakistan Embassy officials.

7

Postscript: Kargil

In peace sons bury their fathers, in wars fathers bury their sons.

Where are the Kashmiri Mujahideen?

No evidence is available to support Pakistani claim that Kashmiri Mujahideen had participated in Kargil war.

No Kashmiri speaking Mujahid has been captured, found dead among the rocks or killed in any encounter. Even in the wireless intercepts by Indian troops there has not been a single one in Kashmiri. These have been in Pardi, Balti, Shina, Pushto, Persian, Turkish, Gilgiti, even Chilasi languages.

Out of the numerous militant outfits that have surfaced in Kashmir in past nine years or so, none other than three have put forward any claim that they had their members operating in over 140 kilometers long LOC in Kargil sector. These are: Lashkar-i-Toiba; Al Badr Mujahideen and Harkut-ul-Mujahideen. The LET is based in Muridke near Lahore. Besides Pakistanis, mostly Punjabis, a large number of Afghan Talibans are reported to be in its cadres. The Al Badr Mujahideen is the militant wing of the Pakistan Jamait-i-Islami. A sizable number of its cadres has reportedly received training in camps in Afghanistan managed by Osmana Bin Laden's organisation as reported in London "Observer". Harkut-ul-Mujahideen is the new label under which Harkut-ul-Ansar has been functioning after US Administration had pronounced it as a terrorist organisation back in 1997. The only other body that has been heard of, is the United Jehad Council based at Muzaffarabad (POK). Over a dozen pro-Pakistani militant organisations are reported to be its constituents. Syed Salahudin (Supremo of Hizb-uI-Mujahideen) is its current Chairman.

Three or four persons on behalf of these organisations had denounced Sharif-Clinton Washington accord of July 4, 1999. The


loudest have been the leaders of Pakistan Jamait-i-Islami. Qazi Hussain Ahmed its Chief was in the States when the Washington agreement was announced. From there he denounced it as "invalid and unacceptable". On return to Pakistan the Qazi termed the agreement as a "disgrace to the nation". He said that the national prestige of Pakistan had been badly damaged by the withdrawal of Mujahideen from Kargil. He said there was need to "inspire the masses to create a war culture". In this regard one cannot ignore the Pakistan Government's proposal to raise a "Peoples Army" by imparting military training in schools and colleges in order to strengthen Pakistan's defence.

While the Qazi was away to USA, Jamait's Acting Chief was Syed Munawar Hussain. In a statement from Swat (NWFP) he claimed that Pakistan Army gave full support to infiltrators. "The Army is fully supporting them" (this was before Nawaz Sharif "appealed" to Mujahideen to withdraw). He issued a stern warning to Sharif saying, "Those who sabotage the successes of Mujhaideen (in Kargil) will meet the fate of. Sheikh Mujib-ur-Rehman."

The Founder of Lashkar-i-Toiba, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed rejecting the Washington Declaration said his cadres were under no obligation to withdraw from Kargil heights because if they do, the "Kashmiri struggle will suffer a serious setback". Sharif may be under some sort of pressure to accept Clinton's advice but "Mujahideen are under no such pressure. The war is on. We have changed our strategy and we, will continue our fight. Instead of withdrawing we will change our positions," he added. He went on to say, "Shariah does not allow any withdrawal and we have conveyed this to the Government and the world." LET's Publicity Chief Mansoor Ghaznavi, Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi (LET Ameer) and Abu Shakir LET Commander at Muzaffarabad (POK) are the other three LET functionaries who have been belching fire condemning withdrawal- from Kargil sectors. Others who have been very vociferous condemning the Washington Declaration and Pakistan directive to withdraw, included Fazal-ur-Rehman Khalil, Chief of Harkut-ul-Mujahideen and Maulana Mohammed Farooq, its Islamabad-based Ameer; Maulana Mushtaq Ahmed Kashmiri, Chief Commander of Jamait-ul-Mujahideen; Abdulla Ghazali, Ameer-e-Aalla, Tehrik-ul-Mujahideen; Abdul Rashid Turabi, Chief of POK Jamait-i-Islami; Umar Inqalabi, Chief Commander of Al Badr and his Deputy, Ahmed Hamza. The only known Kashmiri mujahid leader of note who spoke strongly is Syed Salahudin, who

Postscript, 445

as Chairman of the United Jehad Council based at Muzaffarabad (POK) said, "Mujahideen did not seek permission from Pakistan to capture Kargil heights nor would they vacate it by asking Pakistan. We will not act upon their instructions."

Syed Salahudin's Hizb-ul-Mujahideen was the only Kashmiri organisation which issued from Srinagar, a strongly worded statement saying that it rejects totally the Sharif-Clinton agreement, asserting that, "we will not withdraw from Kargil since it is part of Kashmir."

Itis on}y the All Parties Hurriyat Conference in Kashmir which has shown some reaction. This has been confined to call for- strike in Kashmir towns on two occasions and issuing statements to "disapprove" the Washington Declaration and to support Mujahideen resolve not to withdraw.

By and large the mood in Kashmir is one of indifference about the Kargil war. The secessionists feel terribly let down and disappointed with Pakistan—which first put on heat with full scale attack and then meekly agreed to withdraw. The militants and secessionists in Kashmir Valley, who saw a "ray of hope" in Pakistan attack on widely spread area in Kargil sector, consider Pakistan's decision to pull back and withdraw to the Pak side of LOC as an "abject and shameful .surrender". The Kashmiri sympathisers, consider this as a "psychological defeat thrust on Kashmiri militants". It is feared that the Underground will keep smarting under.this for a long time and may distance themselves from their "colleagues across the LOC". The faith and confidence of the Kashmiri secessionists in Pakistan's capacity to "help them achieve their objective" has received a serious blow.

The Hurriyat Conference has been less concerned with Pakistani withdrawal from Kargil areas but terribly upset with American backing to Indian stand on invoilibility of the LOC. The Hurriyat Chief, Syed Ali Shah Geelani has said, "Kashmiris do not accept the Simla Agreement". He said it followed that the LOC is not recognised by 'them. On July 17, 1999 at Srinagar, he said that Kashmiris would not accept LOC as international border between India and Pakistan even if the world seems to be coming round to this as a possible solution of Kashmir. He declared, "This can take place only on our dead bodies, otherwise our struggle for right of self determination would become irrelevant." About Pakistan's acceptance of LOC invoilibility he s«-,id, "Pakistan is supporting us


diplomatically, morally and politically but we have not given them the right to represent us."

As soon as Indian armed forces launched operations in different sub-sectors of Kargil area to evict the Pakistani occupiers of territory on the Indian side of LOC, almost in a chorus the Pakistani orchestra played the only tune they had rehearsed. From Pakistani Federal Minister for Information Mushahid Hussain, to Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz to Army spokesman Brig. Rashid Qureshi, to ex-Generals Aslambeg, Hamid Gul, and Assad Durrani to Islamic fundamentalists • like Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Hafiz Mohammed Saeed and Maulana Fazal-ur-Rehman Khalid, to Pakistani Mujahideen leaders, all claimed that it was purely an operation launched by Kashmiri Mujahideen and the Pakistani Army had nothing to do with this transgression into the Indian territory. Even three days after Nawaz Sharif committed to Clinton that Mujahideen will be withdrawn within time specified, his Information Minister Mushahid Hussain said in Islamabad, "It is not a remote controlled operation and we cannot stop this."

The Mujahideen leaders first said that since they were not under command of any Pakistani authority they were not obliged to take any direction from Pakistan Government. Specifically, after Washington Agreement, when Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif "appealed" to them to withdraw from the occupied areas, most of the Mujahideen leaders rejected the appeal. It seems that the screw was then tightened by the Pakistani Army and the ISI because soon the tune changed. "Because of coming winter we might withdraw," said Umar Inqalabi, Chief Commander of Al Badr Mujahideen at Skardu Cantonment. At Islamabad, the Chairman of the United Jehad Council, Syed Salahudin declared, "The Mujahideen can think about withdrawl if the International community explicitly assures us that it will settle the longstanding dispute according to the aspirations of the Kashmiris." The Lashkar-i-Toiba Chief Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, who claimed to have over 3000 cadres fighting in Kargil, referring to the appeal for withdrawal said, the. Mujahideen were not a party to Washington Agreement. But he conceded, "We have changed our strategy and will continue to fight. Instead of withdrawing, we will open new fronts." The only political figure in opposition who supported withdrawal of Mujahideen was Sardar Abdul Qayoom Khan, former President of POK. He advised the Mujahideen to withdraw to "keep security of Pakistan uppermost in their calculations. There is no harm in

Postscript 447

sacrificing a small gain for a bigger cause." The Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz and Minister for Kashmir Affairs Majid Malik held meetings with representatives of different Mujahideen groups and "convinced" them how important it was that all occupied areas across the LOC are vacated forthwith.

Enough evidence has become available that it was regular forces of Pakistan armed forces with a sprinkling of Mujahideen belonging to "safe and dependable" outfits which were infiltrated into uninhabited areas in Kargil stretching from Zoji La on the west to Turtok on the northeast in past few months—in any case much before the admitted second week of April last. The foreign press has provided plenty of material to confirm these assertions of India.

The "Independent" daily from London reported on May 29, 1999 that foreign mercenaries who were infiltrated by Pakistan into Kargil sector were "specially trained and equipped in 40 staging camps by the Pakistan Army near the LOC". These trainees numbering about 3000 were Arabs and Afghans and the camps were in Minimarg close to Marpo La and north of Pindras and Matayan on the Kashmir Ladflkh Highway. Tine report by Patrick French further said, "There has been persistent support, infiltration and training of terrorists by successive governments."

A despatch in London "Sunday Telegraph", same day said that a group of "Pakistani and Afghan Mujahideen who crossed over to Kargil sector had been reportedly trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate in guerrilla warfare and high-altitude fighting. Another report in the same newspaper said thai.\ at least 6 British Muslims after being fully trained "in mountain 1$ techniques and high altitude warfare" were deputed to Kargil/ sector. The report said they were trained in "remote valleys near,/ Skardu in Pakistan-held Kashmir" and further said "over 400 guerrillas—a mix of Afghans, Pakistanis and even international Moslem militants were ready to infiltrate from Gilgit". Independent^ reports spoke of Skardu Cantonment area swarming with Mujahideen—Lashkar and Talibani elements.

The American news agency AP reported on May 31, 1999 that "in the mountains of Pakistan thousands of Islamic militants are

• preparing for a holy war next door in India. They crawl on their benies, p"iant landmines and practice Tnai^sTmmsriip". Tine report said dozens of camps have been set up by Pakistani authorities to train Mujahidum in sabotage techniques, hit and run raids, shooting


skills and train them how to disrupt traffic on Ladakh Highway in Kargil sectors.

The Oxford Analytica, a well-known analysis firm of Oxford which provides analysis of worldwide political, social and economic developments, said on June 12, 1999 that a group of 2000/3000 Taliban force "are ready to cross the Kashmir border and launch the Jehad".

The prestigious US weekly said in early July, that "Pakistan had smuggled as many as 1000 soldiers to the Indian side of the Line of Control in Kargil area last spring and then announced they were Kashmiri freedom fighters." TTie British media in the third week of July reported that Pakistan Government fearing backlash from withdrawing mercenaries from Kargil sector has started disarming them before allowing them to move out. Then they are being sent in escorted convoys back to Punjab and Sind. Reports also spoke of withdrawn mercenaries being encouraged to sneak deeper into Kashmir Valley from other soft sectors in the northern stretch of LOC.

Strategic Importance of Kargil

The importance of the Kargil sector has been well-known since 1947-48. It is unfortunate that the concerned authorities have learnt no lessons from what happened then. In their future planning and preparing for all eventualities they don't seem to have kept any of that in view.

Early in 1947 war, Pakistan, realising the importance of Kargil sector, had over-run whole of Gilgit Agency and Baltistan (except Skardu town where a small Indian garrison held out for 8 months) and captured the heights around Zoji La, occupied Kargil town and raced up the Indus Valley to Nimu—about 30 kilometers short of Leh. In north they attempted to enter the Shyok Valley (Trutok area). Our Commanders in Kashmir then were quick to comprehend the situation in its correct perspective.

In September 1948 two attempts-.were made by our infantry to dislodge the enemy from heights dominating Zoji La Pass and the Gumri basin beyond it. The Maharatta Light Infantry in their first attempt tried to overwhelm the enemy on Mukund Hill and the Chabutara feature but failed because holding the heights the enemy did not allow them to come close. A week later, it was decided to use two battalions—Maharatta Light Infantry and the (ats. The

Postscript 449

Maharatta attack on Mukimd failed and so did Jat attack on Chabutara. Heavy casualties were suffered. '*

Later, it was decided to use tanks to dislodge the enemy from these heights. The secret and brilliantly executed operation surprised the enemy and he fell back many miles after suffering heavy casualties—beyond Pindrass. I was privileged as a war correspondent to be an eyewitness of this unique operation. The enemy sat atop the Batkundi heights of Brown Hill and Anant Ridge south of Mushki Valley. Here again the enemy was able to hold us up. Our determined attack—frontal and diversionary— unnerved him and he retreated after offering some resistance. He withdrew north to Mushki Valley and to Thasgam beyond Drass.

The liberation of Drass on November 15, 1948 (Guru Nanak's birth anniversary) was celebrated that night by Patialas, Rajputs and Gorkhas. Because of the rapid advance of the Patialas to Drass,

• the local commander of Pakistani hostility, Major Ishmail had to escape at dawn from Drass. He escaped to Mushki Valley. A wireless intercept next night from Major Ishmail to his Brigade Commander spoke of Ishmail's participation in the Indian celebrations at Drass. He said he had come to Drass to retrieve important documents and maps from Drass and he was successful in his mission because "Indian troops were busy celebrating". I am relating this anecdote only to highlight that passage from Drass to Mushki Valley is not arduous.

Liberation of Drass would not mean much unless Kargil was; secured. The GOC, Major General K.S. Thimayya, therefore, asked Patlialas and Gorkhas to race on to Kargil which was also liberated on November 23, 1948. The General had rightly decided that enemy should only be allowed to withdraw through Kaksar but not allowed to escape towards Khaltse on the Indus nor to go across Humboting La to Batalik in lower Indus Valley. Leh Garrison was, therefore, asked to send posthaste two coloumns down the Indus. One coloumn under Col. Parab reached Kargil on November 24 on horseback. The other column also riding ponies pushed on regardlessly down the Indus towards Marol but got held up about 5 kilometers short on account of enemy's stiff resistance. However, these moves had cleared whole of Indus Valley and secured the flanks of Kargil.

On the northern front in Shyok Valley, plenty of moves had taken place. The enemy was in full retreat from Lama House area.


Mondari and Vnmaru. Thoise and Kharu villages had been liberated. Earlier, Pakistan had come up the Shyok Valley and captured some commanding heights in the area. The Leh Garrison could not spare many troops, being short of them, themselves. The local youth decided to organise themselves in Nubra Guards. One of the young zealous straplings was 17-year old Chewang Rinchen. With some arms supplied by the Army, the Nubra Guards took upon themselves the task of clearing the Shyok Valley of the enemy. With about a 100 gutsy Nubrans, Rinchen made courageous assaults on Pakistani ocupied Lama House, Tabedo Hill and then on Takkar and cleared them. For this valiant feat he was awarded MVC and in 1948 he was the youngest MVC awardee. His greatest exploit was in December 1971 when he led the assault on a post 18402 feet above Turtok and captured it. Till date this is the highest enemy post captured in the world's military history. Major Rinchen (now in Ladakh Scouts) in 10 days' time nad advanced 22 kms and occupied over 800 sq. kilometers of enemy territory. He was awarded MVC Bar for this outstanding feat. In a book written in Urdu by a Balti, Mohammed Yusuf Ahidi, "Balristan Par Ek Nazar" — A profile of Balristan— the author paid tribute to Rinchen in these words, "If Commander Rinchen had not foiled our attacks, we would have over-run whole of Nubra and then crossing Khardung La and occupying the airfield of Leh, we would have been the masters over the entire region of Ladakh."

In 1986, sitting comfortably in his Ibex Hotel in Leh, one , ' evening while reminiscing Col. Rinchen told me that if he had one " .

. battalion more which he had requested for, he would have gone ahead and liberated Siari, Marcha and even Khaplu in the lower Shyok Valley.

In November 1948, in a hurry to liberate as much area as possible and consolidate and stock before the snows come down heavily, it seems to have escaped the attention of the local commanders that Pakistan was in occupation of a pimple across the Kargil town, which overlooked not only the township but also the Advance Landing Ground on Kharbathang plateau and even could keep constant vigil on the road from Drass and going down to Pashkym. This pimple became famous as Pt. 13620.

The Indian Army was on the lookout for an opportunity to dislodge Pakistanis from this feature from where even a mortor could hit the Brigade Headquarters in Kargil. With the attention diverted towards Rann of Kutch, the Indian troops launched an

Postscript 451

attack on this feature 13620 and took control of it on May 17, 1965. -Due to intervention of the UN Chief Military Observer sought by Pakistan, it had to be given back to Pakistan soon after. When Pakistan, in early August 1965, sent armed infiltrators into Kashmir, Indian Army on August 15, again took over the feature. However, it was given back to Pakistan under the Tashkent Agreement of January 10, 1966. The Indian Army was very reluctant to give it back because it claimed that feature 13620 fell on the Indian side of the Cesaefire Line as delineated and demarcated in 1949.

During the December 1971 war, the Indian troops took over the entire hill in a 3-day battle from December 7-9. Besides this feature, many villages on the northwestern slopes were also liberated.

These liberated areas and those in Turtok area in Shyok Valley were not given back to Pakistan when the Line of Control was finalised between the two countries.

At the end of every military operation, every formation is expected to produce an assesment and appreciation report. This also mentions lessons learnt from any particular operation. Various formations from Battalion to Corps involved in the operation from

'Zoji La to Leh in 1947-48 had prepared and submitted such -reportes. I have had access to an exhaustive report prepared by BGS V Corps as also those of the then Western Command. To top it all, is the detailed Report on the Operations in Jammu & Kashmir 1947-

• 48 published by the Ministry of Defence. Then there are number of . books by retired military officers. One of their is the well-written "Operation Rescue" by Lt. Gen. S.K. Sinha (presently Governor of Assam). These reports and books have made numerous recommendations about what should be done and what should be best avoided. It seems there is a tendency not only to ignore them but even not to read them.

Even a correspondent like me, who had the privilege to cover thethree wars of 1947-48, 1965 and 1971 and witness the various battles in Kargil-Ladakh sector/ learnt a lot of lessons which were useful on my later visits to this area.

Many problems faced by pur Armed Forces in recent Kargil War could have been avoided or overcome without much difficulty if reference had been made to these recommendations. And if the authorities were really serious, then experiences of earlier expeditions could be studied. In January 1533 a Chieftain from Badakhshan, marched from Kashgar through I.adakh, spent some

. 452 Kashmir Underground

time in Kargil areas and crossed Zoji La in mid winter and entered Kashmir. Fifty years ago when a small garrison was under siege in Skardu, two relief columns were sent from Kashmir again in mid winter. They encountered lot of difficulties, were ambushed and never reached Skardu. But the remanant gave reports which need to be studied.

The ten-week Kargil war has cost the country dearly. In financial terms the cost will take time to be computed but preliminary estimates vary from Rs. 7000 to Rs. 10,000 crores. However, the most precious and invaluable has been the loss of our soldiers, airmen and officers. According to the latest official figures available, we lost 487 men including 25 officers. Besides, 1190 were injured and this included 71 officers. Four persons are still missing. The number of civilians who were killed or received injuries, is not available at present. However, according to one Government estimate over 32,000 persons had to leave their homes and seek refuge in distant camps. For the loss of houses, cattle, fuelwood (stock is gathered for 8 winter months) and fodder, standing crops, etc., estimates will take time to be collected. But this cannot be less than Rs. 200 to Rs. 300 crores. '

• Till the Pakistani infiltration in this sector was detected in the -second week of May, the presence of our Army was reported to be only one Brigade—though inflated. To meet the challange, and quickly too, one full Mountain Division was moved within days from Kupwara area in Kashmir Valley to Drass-Kargil sector. Many more troops were also exepditiously moved from other areas in the State and outside. These troops could not go through'the mandatory 4-week drill for .acclimatization for operation in high altitude areas. The Army has not given out any details of soldiers who suffered on acount of Pulmonary Odema or other high-altitude ailments or severe frostbites. This was also on account of our troops in such large numbers not being provided at such short notice special arctic clothing and equipment. Most of the troops deployed in the area full of boulders, cliffs and conical peaks were not at all trained in mountain warfare or to fight in high altitude areas.

Having realised that heavy artillery alone would be useful to achieve its object, Pakistan had moved over 200 artillery guns across the LOC with the aim of providing cover to its troops occupying Indian territory and also to counter Indian artillery fire. India had moved 13-15 regiments of artillery guns. These included 75 mm, 105 mm, 130 mm and, most importantly, 155 mm Bofors guns. Thanks to the live coverage by' various TV channels,' the

Postscript 453

world viewed the awful spectacle of batteries of these guns in arid >

plains of Drass and Kargil firing salvo after salvo. According to one estimate over 1)50,00*0 rounds were fired by these guns. It is learnt that these guns fired shells worth over Rs. 2 crores a day.

'The decision to use airforce planes to dislodge the enemy from different areas in Kargil sector, was difficult and challenging. Firstly, the danger of this turning into a full fledged conventional war was there. Far more serious was the prospect of lunatic fringe in Pakistan putting its finger on the nuclear button. Never before had airforce planes been used in such mountainous areas with serious handicaps as limited and restricted manoeuvrability in linear strip of 4 to 6 kms deep area, where every few yards pimples, hills, sharp towering conical peaks would pop up. There was no precedent anywhere in the world and therefore our pilots could not have been trained for such operations. It was their grit, innovative skills, deteremination and professional capabilities that brought them success. The. atmosphere around 20,000 ft is rarefied and therefore aircraft fly faster than in normal atmosphere. This raises the radius of a turning aircraft which reduced the flexibility for manoeuvre. The planes had to fly 9 kms above every position lest the aircraft be targeted by surface-to-air missiles (SAMS). Crossing the LOC while flying had its own implications in being shot down. Since the enemy was holding ridges and heights of 15,000 to 13,000 ft, the IAF had to fire rockets and launch bombs from heights of 18,000 to .20,000 ft while flying at about 700 kms. per hour, danger of attack by Stinger missle notwithstanding.

The IAF will need to modify its aircraft for future operations in the northern frontiers, mostly^ mountainous, or it will have to look around the world for suitable aircraft for use in the Himalayas. Weapon systems and appropriate tactics will have to be devised to enable the IAF.to play a more positive, role in mountain warfare against highly trained hostile forces equipped with the most sophisticated weaponry and • equipment.

In 49 days of air operation IAF flew 550 strike missions, 150 reconnaissance missions and oyer 500 escort sorties. Helicopters undertook 2185 sorties besides flying 925 hours for evacuation and airlifting. The IAF used normal 1000 lb. bombs modified with a kit which received laser emissions and tagged along with laser beams to hit the target. Hesides, Remotely Controlled Vehicles (pilotless aircraft) were also used along the I OC. These helped to fix the coordinates of enemy artillery guns for eoimter-bomh.irdinent


purposes, detecting movement of enemy troops and locating the bunkers.

The loss of MI-17 Helicopter and of aircraft MIG-27 and MIG-21 was serious but the death of its personnel including a highly trained pilot was tragic and irreparable.

Is There no Line of Control?

After 14 months' war in Kashmir in 1947-48, both India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire with effect from January 1,1949. The basis was the Resolution of August 13, 1948 passed by the UN Commission for India and Pakistan (UMCIP).

For 9 days from July 18 to 28, 1949 the military delegations of India and Pakistan met at Karachi under the benign Chairmanship of the UNCIP Chairman, Mr. Hernando Sampier (Colombia). The . Pakistani delegation was headed by its Deputy Chief of General Staff, Major General W.J. Cawthorn while the Indian side was led by Lt. Gen. S.M. Shrinagesh, the Army Commander. After hard bargaining an Agreement was signed on July 27, 1949 regarding establishment of Ceasefire Line. In Part B of the Agreement the Line agreed to on ground, was clearly stated. The pertinent part in the Kargil sector was spelt out like this :

A.2. (c) From Point 12879 the line runs to Point 13647 (Karobal Gah to be shared by both side). The Ceasefire Line runs thence through Retagah Chish (Point 15316) thence through Point 15889, thence through Point 17392, thence through Point 16458, thence to Marpo La (to be shared by both* side) thence through Point 17561 thence through Point 17352, thence through Point 18400, thence through Point 16760, thence to (inclusive to India) Dalunang.

„_A-2. ^(d) From Dalunang eastwards the ceasefire line will "XibBsk the general line Point 15495, Ishman, Manus,

"danggam, Gunderman, Point 13620, Junkar (Point 17628), Marmak, Natsara, Shangruti (Point 17531) Chorbat La (Point 15700), Chalunka (on the Shyok river), Khor, thence north to the glaciers.

Where the CF Line ends is known as Point NJ 9842. At the end of 1965 war, all the areas that Indian Army had

liberated were handed back to Pakistan following the Tashkent Agreement on January 10, 1966. This included the dominating feature I3fi20 opposite Kargil town.

Postscript 455

.In 1971 war, the Indian troops had liberated areas in different -sub-sectors in Ladakh, totalling 434 sq. miles. This included areas north of the Point 13620 but major portions were in Shyok Valley (Turtok). At the Simla Agreement Indian side did not yield and all the liberated areas in this northern sector became permanentally part of the areas on the Indian side of LOG

In the Simla Agreement of July 3, 1972 the article relevant to LOC is-as under :

(ii) In Jammu & Kashmir, the line of control resulting from the ceasefire of December 17,1971 shall be respected by both sides without prejudice to the recognised position of either side. Neither side shall seek to alter it unilaterly, irrespective of mutual differences and legal interpretations. Both sides further undertake to refrain from the threat or the use of force in violation of this line. ., .

The Simla Agreement was approved by the Parliaments of both India and Pakistan. Subsequently, military delegations of the"1 two countries met to delineate and demarcate the LOC. In November-December 1972 these meetings stretched to 12 days. The Indian delegation was led by Lt. Gen. P.S. Bhagat, V.C. The two delegations signed detailed set of 19 maps on which agreement was reached.

The Secretary General of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry, Mr. Aziz Ahmed spelt out Pakistan's commitment to the LOC. In a statement on December 11,1972 at Rawalpindi, he said that Indian Government had informed Pakistan that withdrawal of troops would start "simultaneously" with the adjustments of ground positions which will be carried out in conformity with the line i of control in Jammu & Kashmir as approved by the two Governments.

The line of control as stated by the Indian Minister of External Affairs, Sardar Swaran Singh, is not an international border but obviously a new cease fire line. I

"The control line", Mr. Ahmed said, "is a temporary line and will remain so as long as the Kashmir dispute is not finally settled. Under the Simla Agreement this l' line will be respected by both sides without prejudices! to the recognised position of either side." , m

According to Mr. Ahmed, India had claimed it had seized 434, sq. miles of Pakistan territory during the war, but according to line now delineated, she had '141 sq. miles. Pakistan's claim wns F ' st|.


miles on the "Indian side" of the cease fire line and Pakistan retains all the territory.

With such explicit commitment by Pakistan, how could her present Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz say that LOC was not properly defined and that Pakistan had never accepted the LOC as invoilable? But almost in the same breath he tried to put his own interpretation on the Washington Declaration by announcing at London on his way back from US that "Pakistan has agreed to request and appeal to freedom fighters to withdraw from Kargil if India also agrees to vacate areas that it occupied on the LOC after signing the Simla Agreement." This contention was rejected the very next day by the United States. Its spokesman said that Clinton-Sharif talks were "Kargil specific" and anything else has to wait for the Indo-Pak dialogue.

The second ploy that Pakistan then tried was to catch hold of "Kargil specific" part of the US interpretation and claimed that Washington Agreement binds Pakistan to "honour sanctity of the LOC only in Kargil sector." The US State Department spokesman James Foley had to clarify the next day that the "sanctity of the Line of Control (LOC) referred to in the joint statement of President Bill Clinton and Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif extended to its entire length in Jammu & Kashmir and was not confined to just Kargil area."

Was it not a Pakistani War?

The impression that was sought to be conveyed by Pakistan was that Kashmiri Mujahideen had intruded into certain areas of Kargil mountains north of Kashmir-Ladakh Highway in early spring with intention of "liberating Kargil region". The Indian establishment also unwittingly lent its weaight by suggesting that this was an operation launched at the behest of Pakistani Army Generals and that neither Premier Nawaz Sharif nor the ISI had any knowledge. Perhaps the basis was the recorded tape of the telephonic conversation between the Pak Army Chief General Pervez Musharaf (from Beijing) and his confidant Lt. Gen. Aziz, Chief of Staff at Islamabad, which came into Indian hands courtsey some foreign intelligence agency. This impression could not be easily accepted on the face of it. An operation of this magnitude in a difficult area could not have been mounted in secret without the approval of the highest Government authority. In fact. General Musharaf disclosed

Postscript 457

later that Prime Minister Sharif was well informed throughout when he said, "every one has been on board". The Pakistan government also released photographs of Nawaz Sharif on a visit to Skardu and forward areas of Gultari near LOC in February 1999. A Pakistani report had mentioned that he was made to step on to area on Indian side of the LOC which had been- occupied by Pakistanis, and Sharif was made to hoist Pakistan flag there amidst slogans like "Kashmir benega Pakistan" — Kashmir will become part of Pakistan.

Pakistan first denied that any soldiers of its Army were involved in the "intrusion" by Mujahideen which, they conceded, had taken place "sometime in April with melting of snows". Even when Pak soldiers had been captured, when dead bodies of its soldiers were recovered, when from their persons documentary evidence was made public, they denied it to be authentic.

The Pakistan Army top brass felt unnerved when Indian Army came out with details of exact locations from where 249 enemy bodies were recovered and when 244 of them were buried on the sites. And the TV channels showed it live. The discomfiture of the Pakistan Generals reached new heights when the Indian Army released names, rank, serial number and formation of 38 other ranks and JCos and 30 Pak Army officers including one Brigadier, one Colonel, 12 Majors, 11 Captains. The Indian announcement had said that in case the Pakistani Army accepted them as their own, dead bodies could be handed over otherwise those dead bodies would be given a decent burial with full military honours.

Two dead bodies of their own officers, Capt. Kama! Sher of .12 Northern Light Infantry and Capt. Imtiaz from 165 Morton Regiment were not accepted by Pak Army for many days in the plea that since no officer of the Pakistani Army was involved in Kargil operation they were not obliged to accept these dead bodies. May be, pressure from their families or from brother officers was built up and after many days Pakistan finally agreed to accept these two dead bodies. These were handed over in New Delhi to the International Committee of Red Cross and flown to Karachi. Almost the same day, Premier Nawaz Sharif accompanied by General Musharaf and many Cabinet Ministers, including the Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz, flew to Skardu. He went to Pion, nearby where he announced scheme of assistance for families of those servicemen killed in action, tater he went to forward areas. near LOC in Shyok Valley and addressed troops of the Northern ; Light Infantry. He lauded the high morale of the troops and


announced that the legal heirs of martyrs would be given a house in the city of their choice, besides compensation of five lac rupees each. From there he went to Bunji and Gilgit where also he addressed the families of armymen who got killed in Kargil operations. Paying tribute to their armed forces he said that they had proved that when required they can emerge successful in every trial.

Since US General Zinni and later President Clinton had confronted Nawaz Sharif with evidence of participation of Pak armed forces in Kargil war and there was unrest in some sections of the Army committed in the Northern Territories, Pakistan decided ultimately to come clean and own publicly that Pakistan Army was really involved in the Kargil war. First, they admitted that their troops had crossed the LOC in January 1999 and occupied some commanding heights. But a day later, Brig. Rashid Qureshi, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations claimed that process of capturing heights in this sector had been started by Pakistan in September 1998. At the same Press Conference, the Pak Federal Minister for Information, Mushahid Hussain admitted that in Kargil war 267 army personnel had been killed, 204 were wounded and 24 were still missing. With this also came, a day later, admission by Pak Finance Minister Ishaq Dar who told BBC that Pakistan had spent on Kargil war over US $ 700 million which according to him was nearly 20% of Pakistan's current year's defence budget.

Pakistan's clever Kargil plan turned out to be misadventure with serious consequences which may continue to haunt her for many years. This disaster will overshadow the future course of Pakistan both internally and externally.

The Kargil operation was planned in total .secrecy with beginnings made 2/3 years ago. The area selected was strategically important, militarily neglected by India and people of the area needed to be punished for having declined to associate themselves with Kashmir's secessionist movement. For past 2/3 years Pakistani artillery had pounded not only Kargil town but also targeted portions of Kashmir-Ladakh Highway near Drass. After Pakistan was satisfied that other than pure retaliation of artillery fire, India had not strengthened its position in this sector, Pakistan seriously decided upon this operation in summer of 1998. When the Pakistani troops were well entrenched on the Indian side of the LOC in nearly 140 kms long stretch, India by chance discovered their

Postscript 459

presence in the first week of May 1999. Twenty precious days were spent in probing different sub-sectors. This time was also used in transporting additional .troops and artillery pieces from Kashmir and beyond. When situation became "really difficult", New Delhi decided to bring in Air Force to assist the ground forces to dislodge the enemy from "Indian territory". Month of June was spent in intense fighting and the Indian troops retaking difficult hieghts and ridges. The names like Tiger Hill, Tololing, Jubbar, Kukarthang, Munthu Dhalo, Batalik and Turtok and many more have been etched in Indian mind thanks largely to media.

After Indian forces had built up sufficient troops and logistics strength by June 6, things seemed to be moving fast. Pakistan started having second thoughts but when on June 13, Toliling north of Drass, was cleared of enemy, Pakistan became worried about the future course of its operations. First indication was Pakistan's offer to send her Foreign Minister to Delhi for a meeting with his counterpart to "sort out things". This visit bore no fruit because Pakistan struck to its stand that Pak Army was not involved in the

,. fight which was fully in hands of Mujahideen over whom Pakistan had no control. One may ask if this was so, why were daily briefings being held by Pakistan Defence Forces? Why were the Ministers and special envoys being sent abroad to explain their case? If the Mujahideen had rejected the Washington Declaration outright who was Pakistan to assure US that withdrawal will be accomplished in time?

In retrospect, it has been established that recapture of Tololing was the turning point. Two days later Clinton asked Nawaz Sharif to pull out of Kargil since its own intelligence reports had confirmed all-pervading presence of Pakistani troops in entire Kargil sector. The US State Department had evidence that Pakistan's 10 Corps had been deployed in Kargil operations. The same week leaders of G-8 industrialised nations meeting at Cologne in Germany asked Pakistan to withdraw its troops from the Indian side of LOC and honour the sanctity of LOC. The Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister of Pakistan separately visited Beijing to secure China's support but returned with China asking them to honour LOC and to deal directly with India to settle their differences. France, Japan and Germany as also Russia separately advised Pakistan to withdraw its troops and Mujahideen on to their side of the LOC. Since Pakistan did not seem to be in a mood to listen to US telephonic advice, US despatched to Pakistan the Commander of the Central


Command, General Zinni. This was a major signal that US desired that Pakistan should withdraw from Indian side' of LOC and

' restore sanctity of LOC. Pakistan still seemed to be reluctant. In the meantime the-Indian armed forces kept their resolute march forward. Nawaz Sharif seems to have been left with no option other than to beseach Bill Clinton to "pull him out of this mess". Wrieh finally, India mounted its main assault on the Tiger Hill, Sharif telephoned Clinton seeking immediate meeting in Washington. Realising his desperation, Sharif was allowed to fly straight and meet Bill Clinton even on the big day—American Independence Day. After a 3-hour meeting a short and crisp joint statement was issued at Washington on July 4. Nawaz Sharif committed himself to immediate withdrawal of troops to Pakistan side of LOC. He also gave assurance that he would appeal to Mujahideen to withdraw. He also assured that sanctity of the LOC will be restored. While agreeing to these conditions Sharif must have known the attitude of his powerful Army, he must have also known that if the Army wanted they would twist "the tail of the Mujahideen (those few who were in the Kargil area) and they would fall in line. He must have also known that the Opposition parties like Benazir Bhutto's Pakistan Peoples Party and Altaf Hussain's MQM, besides the Islamic fundamentalists would be baying for his life.

Ou way back home fcorft Washington he stopped over at London to secure some support from British, Premier Tony Blair. Instead, he was told to implement without any delay the Washington Agreement and restore the sanctity of the LOC.

Since Pakistan Army was the one which had planned the operation, it gave full support to Sharif. So did his Cabinet and the National Assembly where he enjoys overwhelming majority.

India gave six days to Pakistan to clear out of the Indian side of LOC or else India would "throw them' out". Most of the Pakistanis went back in time. Perhaps for domestic consumption, Pakistan allowed some posts to be held even after the withdrawal deadline was over. The" US officials told Pakistan to ensure total withdrawal even of the remanants since the Washington Agreement had to be implemented fully.

The Baltistan-Gilgit areas that comprise Northern Territories are directly being administered by the Pakistan Federal Government. Most of this area is mountainous with towering peaks, massive glaciers and is strategically most important because on the east it

Postscript 461

has Ladakh and in the north the Chinese province of Sinkiang with two Trans Himalayan Highways connecting the two.

To man'this area special trained armed forces are required. The Gilgitis, Chilasis, Hanzkuts and the Baltis are hardy and courageous fighters. Even before 1947 during the Kashmiri Maharaja's time, a sizable number of them had found employment in the State Forces. But between 1935 and 1947, when Gilgit Agency had been leased out to the British Indian Government by the Kashmir Maharaja, the British had raised a special force—the Gilgit Scouts which was commanded by a British Officer. After 1947 Pakistan's Federal Government raised other specialised forces like Chilas Scouts, Chitral Scouts and Bajour Scouts. All these were reorganised, equipped with modern weapons and given rigourous training for high altitude, snowbound, glaciated areas. In 1973 all these forces were combined to form the Northern Light Infantry. Reportedly, it has 14 Battalions. In 1993' this force was merged with the Pakistan Army and its Regimental Centre was located near Gilgit., NLI Battalions have been operating in Siachen war theatre with Skardu as the Brigade Headquarters.

When Pakistan Army started planning the Kargil operations; \ may be 3 years ago, the NLI troops were earmarked, selected and\j then put on special training in rock-climbing, anti-heliborne commando operations, survival techniques, living in high altitudes and isolated posts. Latest and the most sophisticated light equipment, arctic clothing and wherewithal like snow-mobiles etc. were bought from "any source, at any price". It is reported that from Europe last summer Pakistan Army bought 50,000 pairs of special lightweight high-altitude climbing boots for deep snow and glaciers. They also purchased specially designed snowmobiles and, snow-scooters for personal'transportation and to provide rapid logistic support. The NLI battalions were part of Pakistan's X Corps. This Corps has 4 Divisions' under it and one is stationed at Skardu as Force Command Northern Area. The involvement of X Corps in Kargil operations was confirmed by US State Department spokesman. Before launching Kargil operation, Pakistan moved three more Brigades into Skardu area, it was reported.

Besides suitability of local Dardi and Balti troops for operation in Kargil was, on acount of proper acclimatization from birth. Another reason for Pakistan it seems, was that in case of "things going wrong" as they did, the backlash would be confined to


Northern Areas, which were being administered directly by Pakistan. It has now been reported that the Commanding Officer of NLI 5 Battalion had been already relieved of his command on grounds of "incompetance" in Kargil operations. Other frustrated officers have been pacified with enhanced monetary benefits, it has been reported. Some others may be given postings abroad in Pakistan embassies. Pakistan does not want to add to its troubles in Baltistan-Gilgit area because for past 40 years or so local population has been agitating for securing fundamental and basic rights like right to vote, to have a representative Assembly and have own administration not imposed from Islamabad. There is not much social and economic development in this area.

Pakistan's Greater Karakoram Flan

If a proper study is made of the intentions of the Pakistan Army and the strategy it employed in various sub-sectors in the Kargil area from Zoji La on the west and Turtor in the east, things start falling into place. The Grand Plan of the Pakistan Army takes shape in the form of Greater Karakoram Plan.

Intensive study of topography of every sub-sector, detailed study of climatic conditions, intensity of snowfall, time of thawing and melting of snow, natural caves and rock ledges on the cliffs and mountain-sides had been studied in the past few years by pakistan, it now transpires. With this base for detailed planning of occupation of areas on the Indian side of LOC, had been drawn up. For the past 3/4 years Pakistan had been sending patrols off and on into these areas on the sly to thoroughly recce the areas. The local inhabitants, mostly shepherds, who saw them came back and reported but the authorities seem to have disregarded these reports.

Study of snowfall and the time of melting was to determine when should the Pakistanis advance this side of LOC and occupy important and strategic features and the passage which would become suply and reinforcement routes later. These recces were also made to establish the fact that there was no Indian presence at a particular time.

In the Zoji La sub-sector, Pakistani intention was to undertake an assault southwards and capture Batkulanganj Pass and to come down to block Gumri by occupying Chabutara and Mukund features. The National Highway could be effectively blocked here. The choice of Mushkoh Valley by Pakistan is obvious because of its

Postscript 463

easy access from Pak base at Gultari in the north and its direct approach to Drass. With Tiger Hill and Tololing under their occupation Pakistan had stranglehold on a sizable stretch of Kashmir-Ladakh Highway.

The Kaksar sub-sector has its own importance because that is " the gateway to Kargil township from Pakistan-held area. Shingo

river drains through this Valley, to join Indus a little beyond Oblingthong—an important base for Pakistan troops. In this Valley are important villages of Gunderman and Brielman which were liberated from Pak occuaption in 1971. Overlooking this valley is the dominating feature of Hathimatha which is strongly held by Pak troops. Pak objective in this sub-sector was to pound the National Highway and not allow any movement and at the opportune time to overwhelm Kargil town. Thereafter they would have moved up the Sum Valley, to Sankoo to cut off any relief to arrive from Drass region via Umba La. Then they would have pushed to Sum to block any reinforcement reaching from Kashmir Valley through Chilling Valley. From Sum Valley one plan could

- be to push through to Anantnag District in Kashmir and Doda District in Jammu region. Through Doda and also through Zanskar they may have planned to gain access to Himachal and along the"^ -mountains to Garhwal and Kumaon Hills. Some may think this to ,. be far-fetched but...

With Kargil secured the Pakistanis would have pushed to sit * • astride Humboting La and roll down to Batalik in the Indus Valley ' towards the north. Having got the Jubbar Hill under their controW Pakistani objective was to race its troops up the Indus river from -Batalik to Khaltse. Here the National Highway from Kashmir through Kargil enters the Indus Valley and then along the right bank of Indus goes up to Leh.

Pakistan objective clearly was to control Chorbat La and secure the southwestern flank of the Shyok Valley. After taking into consideration the progress on other fronts Pakistan would have launched a major attack in the Turtok sector from its strong bases in Siari and Khapaly. From all accounts this perhaps would have been its most crucial attack of over a Division strength. The aim would be to make a major thrust, quickly reach Thoise and try and capture the airstrip. This would not only deny the IAF use of this forward air base to maintain Siachen Garrison but to occupy it and use it for landing airborne Pak troops, transport and artillery pieces


for onward drive to Indian Brigade Headquarters at Partapur. From here the Pakistani objective would be to make a dash to Khardung La (18380 ft) and block arrival from Leh of any reinforcement. The other column would be moved up the Nubra Valley to Panamik and Sasoma to encircle the Siachen Garrison. Simultaneously another column of Pakistani Mountain commandos may be rushed through Saser La to Daulet Beg Oldi, last Indian outpost south of Karakoram Pass (18290 ft) in its desire to draw its own LOC from south of Siachen Glacier.

The Pakistani purpose of operation in Kargil sector had to be much bigger than just intrusion and few skirmishes. Before any country starts a war, it focuses on its objective. As a Pakistani commentator Ayaz Amir wrote recently that "objective cannot be conquest or liberation of Kashmir because Pakistan lacks the strength for it". He commented further "Mature nations do not seek unfavourable wars. Nor do they risk life and death for secondary objectives."

This then was Pakistan's Greater Karakoran Plan, which was very deftly frustrated by the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force

'; acting in concert.

Reality is Bitter

Now that the Kargil war is over with all its toil, tears and blood, the public has a right to ask questions about it. Why did it come about? Who are responsible for gross negligence, incompetant handling, and grave lapses on part of our multiplicity of intelligence agencies? The situation was made more complicated by senior functionaries of the Government claiming categorically that there had been no lapse on the part of the intelligence agencies.

Following the clamour for a thorough high-level probe, the Government has set up a 4-member Inquiry Committee headed by the well-known defence analyst K. Subrahmanyam. If it had been a statutory body it could have been more effective and would have inspired better confidence. The Army on its own has also set up a

' Committee headed by a Colonel, for internal probe in alleged failures. The findings of the Army Committee is not likely to be made public, but Subrahmanyam Committee report after three months should be released for public scrutiny and debate, unlike the famed General Henderson-Brooks Report following the Chinese War in 1962, which is still under wraps.

Postscript 465

There are hundreds of questions which Government has to answer. However, a few important ones that are being asked frequently, include :

1. Kargil town and its environs have been almost daily targets of Pakistani shelling for past three years or more. Other than artillery retaliation from our side, what steps were taken to meet this threat to over 50,000 population in Kargil town and 23 affected villages?

2. Pak shelling was accurate and indicated that directions were being given from a vantage point in Kargil from the Indian side. It was reported that STD telephones were being used to send messages across. Was this investigated and were Government able to nab any culprit?

3. Since Pak shelling had made direct hits on AIR and Doordarshan buildings, DCs office. Army and IOC oil depots, did Govememnt plan to relocate them? Pakistan also destroyed the all-important foodgrains store? Has that been relocated and dispersed?

4. Because of frequent shelling and repeated migration of; civilian population, did Government propose to make new settlements or construct adequate number of bunkers or safe hideouts for the harassed and scared population?

5. History of past 50 years and experience of past Pak wars provided enough indication of entire Kargil region from Zoji La to Turtok. Even then, why did it. not receive the attention it demanded? Why was the presence of the Indian Army minimal in this region? One Brigade though inflated, located at Kargil was given responsibility to guard over 140 kms. long stretch of LOC which is not only mountainous but climatically hostile? Was there no periodical appreciation undertaken of changes in threat perception from Pakistani side? Either these were amateurish or the required inputs were not made available. The threat in early May did not appear out of the blue. It must have taken months to build up. What were our formation commanders doing all this while? From the local Brigade Commander through Divisional Commander to Corps and then to the Army Commander at Udhnmpur are answerable to

Kashmir Underground

the nation. Was there not gross negligence of duty? The public would like to know why no attention was paid to this glaring weakness in the system of border defence? Is it a fact that first intrusion by Pakistan was deteced in 1993-94 in Zoji La—Drass sector? In September 1997 Pak artillery pounded Kargil town and our response was quick and heavy- In April 1998 Pakistan made strong attempts to disrupt traffic on Kashmir-Ladakh Highway. Our heavy guns gave a fitting response. Starting September 1998 Pakistan made 14 atempts to dislodge Indian defenders from towering posts on Soltoro Ridge on western side of Siachen glacier. With all these happening why could not our Generals assess the escalating situation? Or was it on account of structural lapses in the system analysing information that pours in from different sources? What steps were taken to protect the National Highway, increase surveillance and patrolling of highly strategic and sensitive area along the LOC in Kargil sector? Did the authorities have information that Pakistan was constructing a road to Chorbat La in 1997 and had also sent infiltrators to Yaldora Valley? What action was taken?

Was there any effort to monitor the unusual rise in temperature in February-March this year in this sector leading to early melting of snow and making it possible to reach early the posts at heights which in every autumn were vacated due to severe winter? When the Border Roads Organisation cleared Zoji La of millions of tonnes of snow about a month earlier than usual, did the Genelals not think of reoccupying the abandoned posts immediately? Cannot the negligence be pinpointed? Why were the troops who took part in the Kargil operations not suitably clothed and adequately equipped for arctic conditions? Was any thought given to reducing weight of equipment that a single jawan has to carry while operating in such climatic conditions and topographical situation, now that we have had 15 years experience in Siachen Glacier areas? An Indian jawan in such conditions has to carry

467

load of about 24 kgs. Then he is expected to walk many kilometers in knee-high snow or on ice or climb clifflike mountain faces. Against this the Pak soldiers in such areas used ultra-light Swiss Rucksacks, waterproof feather jackets, lightweight water proof arctic tents, lightweight climbing boots good for snows and mountain climbing. Was it only the question of budgetary grants or was it apathy and insensitiveness on the part of MOD bureaucrats? When did the Government learn of largescale intrusion and occupation by Pak Army of nearly 2000 square kilometers of area on the India side of the LOG? Was it really on May 5,1999 as claimed by the Army that two of its patrols in snow-covered Yaldora sub-sector northeast of Kargil detected some Pakistanis or was it earlier as reported by the intelligence agencies? Did it take 21 days, in emergency conditions to gather adequate force with proper logistic support to launch an attack to evict the enemy?

There are some nine different intelligence agencies operating. Did they all fail to report the build up that was going on in areas in Pakistan side of LOC in the past few months? Or was it that though the reports had been received there was lack of co-ordination and lack of proper analysis and assesment? Or did the Armed Forces fail to react immediately? Is it a fact that Intelligence Bureau operatives (and there are over 400 of them) in Ladakh had reported in October 1998 that 300/400 persons were receiving training in the vicinity of Olthingthang-^-a Pakistani army base on the other side of LOC? Later reports had also hinted that these groups may infiltrate in April next into Kargil area.

Is it a fact that the Intelligence Bureau goofed up completely in Turtok area by not taking action against the concerned persons when one of its undercover agents Ibrahim left Turtok village along with his family, crossed over to Pakistani side in 1994 and started living there and reportedly started working for them? Did he not make frequent visits to this side to recruit agents for


the enemy and also to bring arms and ammunition and leave them here in safe custody with dependable sympathisers whose loyalties had been won over by Pakistan (this area had been under Pakistan for 24 years)? Is it not a fact that early in June Ladakh Police arrested 24 Pak agents from Turtok and 3 nearby border villages and seized large cache of arms and ammunition? If not nabbed this could have become a major base for insurgency in this crucial part of Shyok Valley endangering the Indian defences in Siachen Glacier area. Have the Leh citizens not petitioned the Union Home Minister to order a CBI inquiry into this unpardonable lapse?

15. The country is spending over Rs. 2000 crores annually to maintain the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). Is it worth it, if it fails the country at its most crucial hour at Kargil? Why did not its agents in Pakistan pass information of the big build-up in Baltistan taking place since last year? Why did not its agents in Europe send information back home that Pakistan was on a shopping spree buying unusually large quantities of high-altitude and alpine equipment, clothing and sophisticated instrumentation? What were its Gulfstream and Learjet aircraft specially fitted for aerial photography with oblique cameras and aerial surveillance, doing all this-while? And did its Aviation Research Centre (ARC) Boeing 737 not pick up any communication intelligence?

16. Did the RAW report that Pak Army Chief had visited Skardu and stayed 4 days in the Brigade Headquarters last summer? Did RAW not find it unusual for the Army Chief doing that in a Brigade Hqs. in the forward area? Did they also report that immediately after the famed Indo-Pak handshake at Lahore in February 1999, Nawaz Sharif visited Skardu? Among other things he also addressed a meeting where in a highly emotional speech he claimed Kargil to be a part of Pakistan?

The Subrahmanyam Committee should delve deep and without hesitation apportion blame to individuals howsoever high they may be. The Committee should also point out structural weaknesses in the system. It should also make recommendations to streamline

Postscript 469

the defence decision making apparatus, how to make the intelligence agencies more effective and result-oriented. It should also look into the urgent need to have a set-up for perspective policy planning and suggest an apparatus for higher strategy co-ordination. The National Security Council needs to be trimmed and made an effective instrument for constant study and review of threat perceptions and security concerns as we enter the next millennium.

Pakistan has threatened many Kargils after his humilating defeat. It has to be ensured that Kargil is not allowed to be repeated anywhere on the Indian soil.

Tomorrow

Tomorrow, the sun will rise From beneath the horizon And the day will be bright In plain and over mountain.

No more, dark black clouds will wander, Any more, in the dale and sky No more vermillion on roads scatter No more dahlias will, trampled be.

Enough blood has flown in Jehlum, So many sons it carried in bosom. It craves to flow with glory and gaiety Tomorrow it will with traditional honour and dignity.

In spring the lilies and pansy will bloom And to the willow-wind, daffodil dance The rose will again scent the air Brining happiness from every where.

The rivulets splashing will dance again Without fear the buds bloom The nightingale and sparrow will sing again And the nymphs will dancing pigtails bloom.

This tomorrow will belong to me and thee When in 'OUR LAND' we shall be All this will prevail and come true And it will. Tomorrow it will be

SUHRAT - (The Daily Excelsior - December 11,1994)

Annexures 471

GOVERNMENT OF JAtaMU AND KASHMIR HOME DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION SRINAGAR, the 16lh April, 1990

SRO No. 148. Whereas the Islamic Jamait-e-Tulba is an Association:-

a) which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983;

b) The members of which undertake such activities. c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public adminis trat ion the administration and the maintenance of law and order which constitute a danger to the public peace;

d) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended to encourage and which encourage aid and indicts the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable Under section 153-A and 153-B of the State Ranbir Penal Code.

e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to threat or likely to threat or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects activities and actions which are intended or which form part of the scheme intend to cause or likely to cause, fear alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such person, sympathisers and merrtbers aforesaid by words either spoken or written, or by signs or visible representation have indulged in activities, e.g. this party alleges that the Kashmir question is disputed. On 20.7.1982 at Idd-Gah Srinagar its Chief, Sheikh Tajamul Islam said that his party would continue to struggle for the establishment of a Muslim State and on 5.11.1982 the IJT workers demanded that the Kashmir Question was still unresolved.

And whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials J.n its possession which the State Government consider to be against the piiblit.


interest to disclose the State Government is of opinion that the said Islamic Jamait-e-Tulba is an unlawful Association.

Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (I) of Section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983 the Government of Jamniu and Kashmir hereby declares the aforesaid party to be an unlawful Association.

Any person, whether an office bearer or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested can make a representation in respect of this Notification to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir within a period di dusty daya horn tit\e d*te <rf issuance, af f£\i& NotifertKW. tf he so desires.

By order of the Government of Jammu and Kashmir.

Sd/-ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY (HOME) GOVT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR

SRINAGAR

ANNEXURE 'A' to SRO 148

Details of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities of Islamic Jamait-e-Tulba are given as under:-

1. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE PARTY ARE TO INSTALL ISLAMIC RULE IN THE J&K STATE, IN UTTER DISREGARD TO THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA / J&K.

2. In the year 1980 (March 1980) the party arranged a procession and a meeting in which Dr Yousuf-ul-Umar and Tajamul Islam criticised the Govt of India policy by alleging that she had captured Kashmir after inducting its army and by doing so Govt, of India upsurged the right of self determination of Kashmiris.

3. On 5.8.1980 while addressing a press conference at Jehangir Hotel Srinagar, Sheikh Tajamul Islam emphatically denied that the acceptance of the constitution of India or Kashmir had stated that his party wanted to bring an Islamic revolution in Kashmir for getting Kashmir emancipated from the clutches of India.

4. On 17.6.1981, Chief of the party, Tajamul Islam commanded ttvi Muslims to ste*\d suited undox the, banner uf telam su. KbaX Islamic type of Govt could be established after removing the present lawfully established Guvts.

Annexures 473

5. On the occasion of Idd-ul-Fitter on 2.8.1981 at Iddgah Srinagar the Chief of the party Tajamul Islam challenged the accession of Kashmir to India and accused India of having snatched the right of self-determination of Kashmiris.

6. On 27.7.1982 on the eve of Idd Millan rank and file of the party created a scene by displaying motto on Clock Tower Chowk Srinagar. Later at Orion Hotel Srinagar the speaker exhorted the audience to revolt against Indian imperialism and they should not accept constitution of India henceforth. They raised slogans against India. "Galli Galli Awaz Do" "Mulke Kashmir Chor Do."

7. On 1.6.1988 Sheikh-Tajamul Islam while addressing a press conference at Srinagar has stated that his party was interested in established Islamic Government.

8. On 18.9.1983 on the occasion of Idd prayers outside the Iddgah premises Srinagar Sheikh Tajamul Islam said that India had forcibly occupied Kashmir much against the wishes of Kashmiris and stressed that Kashmir issue was still unsolved and the only solution of it was in the conducting of plebiscite.

9. On Dec. 20,1984 follower of IJT addressed a press conference at Hotel Bizone Srinagar stating that they desired to bring over Islamic revolution in the State and alleged that State accession to India was illegal and declared it as a conspiracy and fraud.

10. The party managed to paste urdu posters titled "Muslims Ka Faraz" appealing to the muslims in India to take revenge against Hindus and enjoined to its leaders to make five copy of each posters and circulated the same among the public and thereby created communal hatred disharmony and scare among the members of other community.

11. On June 13,1989 at Srinagar in a press statement Inayat-UIlah Indrabi Nazim-e-Alla (Chief Organiser) stated that revolution minded youths had taught the lesson to the pro-Indian and irreligious forces on the eve of Jamia Masjid episode on June 9,1989. He described the youth responsible for the incident as "Brave Soldiers of Islam."

12. One June 16,1989 Inayat Ullah Indrabi issued leaflet entitled "Jamia Masjid Ka Waqa Asal Haqeeqat'. He has asked the people not to consider the incident as a disruptive activity but should encourage such activities of revolutionary natures.

13. In the first week of August 1989 two unidentified persons thruw booklets in the Sher-e-Kashmir mosque Amerakadal


entitled "Islami Inqalabi Jadoo Jajad-Ikh.laqai Bunyadoon Ki Tameer" published by IJT Chief Anayat Ullah Indrabi. In the booklet the has alleged that the position of India over Kashmir was the same as was of Britain over India prior to 1947. It laid stress for building moral foundation for launching a freedom struggle.

Annexures 475

GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR HOME DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION Srinagar, the 16th April, 1990

SRO No. 147 Whereas the Islamic Students League is an Association:-

a) Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to unlawful activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983;

b) The members of which undertake such activities; c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public adminis t ra t ion, the administration and the maintenance of law order and which constitute a danger to the public peace;

d) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are interfere to encourage and which encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable Under section 153-A and 153-B of the State Ranbir Penal Code.

e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to threat or likely to threat or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which form part of the scheme intend to case or likely to cause, fear alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members or different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such persons, sympathisers and members aforesaid by words, either spoken or written, only signs or visible representation have indulged in activities, e.g. on 16th January, 1987 the party called a meeting at Baramulla and exhorted the people not to participate in the Republic Day celebrations. Mohd. Abdullah Shirazi on 23.1.1987 said that the Central Government was responsible for launching the aggression on the muslim society. On 10th April, 1989 the League demanded the release of Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi and Nayeem Khan and also said that Idd should not be celebrated by the Kashmiri Muslims as their brethren were in Jails.


And whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials in its possession which the State Government considers to be against the public interest to disclose, the State Government is of opinion that the said Islamic Students League is an unlawful Association.

Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by the sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares the aforesaid party to be an unlawful Association.

Any persons, whether an office bearer or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested, can make a representation in respect of this Notification to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir within a period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this Notification if he so desires.


Sd/-ADDL. CHIEF SECY (HOME)

GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR HOME DEPARTMENT, SRINAGAR

ANNEXURE ' A ' T O SRO 147

The details of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities of ISL is given as under:

1. Since the party is a field baby of its parent party JEI/MUF, its aims and objects are to implement policies and programme projected by its parent party. However, the ISL Party has its own constitution known as "Islamic Students League Ka Nasbul Ain Wa Tariqakar". According to it party will extend cooperation to any organisation dedicated to achieve Islamic identity.

2. On Jan. 16,1987, the party called a meeting at Baitul Mukaram Mosque Baramulla which was attended by P. L. MEA and Shobai Tulba activists. The decision was taken that not to participate in the Republic Day celebration as a protest and sought to evoke anti-India feelings thereby.

3. On Jan. 23,1987, Mohd. Abdullah Sheerazi Convenor of the Party at Ikhrajora mosque Srinagar criticised the secular and democratic policy of the Govt, with a view to incite communal feelings and feelings of hatred between Hindus and Muslims

Annexures 477

and held Central Govt, responsible for launching a cultural aggression on muslim society.

4. The members of the party pasted objectionable Pro-Pak posters on the walls and lamp posts at different places in the valley on the eve of Independence Day of Pakistan i.e., August 14th, 1988 to commemorate the Pakistan National Day.

5. On Oct. 25, 1988 on the eve of Id-e-Milad procession, the activists of the party with a view to encourage extremists remarked that allegations against Kashmiri youths for indulging in terrorist and disruptive activities were baseless. The challenged the accession of the State with Indian Union and in collusion with PL, KIF, IJT, Mahaz-e-Azadi gave a call for general hartal on Oct. 27,1988 to mark the protest as it was on that day that instrument of accession was executed. This was done with a view to disturb law and order and constitute danger to public peace.

6. In a Friday congregation in Srinagar on April 21,1989JVlohd. Abdullah Sheerazi former President ISL with the sinister design to ignite the religious sentiments of muslim community said that the majority community was being subjected to indiscriminate killings.

7. On Jan. 18,1990 Shakeel Ahmed Bakshi Chairman of the party while addressing congregation on the occasion of Chorrum ceremony of Mohd. Amin Reshi assailed the Govt, for inducting para military forces of India to crush the Mujahideen. He called for the cooperation to the Mujahideen in their crusade to end Indian occupation of Kashmir. He asked any body desirous to join the ranks of Mujahideen to achieve their goal to freedom of Kashmir by creating terror and disturbing public peace and disrupt law and order contact them.

8. On Jan. 25,1990 according to the press reports ISL alongwith JKLF have applied to the people to launch a civil disobedience movement in Kashmir and not pay taxes etc.



NOTIFICATION SRINAGAR, the 16th April, 1990

SRF No. 149 Whereas the Mahaz-I-Azadi is an Association:—

a) Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983;

b) The members of which undertake such activities; c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public adminis t ra t ion, the administration and the maintenance of law and order and which constitute a danger to the public peace;

d) Such persons and sympathisers and members of aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended to encourage and which encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable under section 153 A and 153-B of the State Ranbir Panel Code.

,e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to treat or likely to threat or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which form part of the scheme intend to cause or likely to cause, fear, alarm and feeling or insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such person, sympathisers and members aforesaid by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or visible representation have indulged in activities e.g. on 20,h July, 1986 Mohd. Azam Inqilabi declared at Shamaswari, Srinagar that his party would struggle for freedom of Kashmir. On 7-8-1986 he addressed a meeting in Lai Chowk and demanded independence for Kashmir. He again gave a call for hartal on 2nd February, 1989 to mark thedeath anniversary of Mohd. Maqbool Bhatand

Whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of either facts and materials in the

Annexures 479

possession which the State Government consider to be against the public interest to disclose, the State Government is of opinion that the said Mahaz-i-Azadi is an unlawful association.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of the section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares the aforesaid party to be an unlawful association.

Any person, whether an office bearer or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested, can make a representation in respect of this Notification to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir within a period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this Notification, if he so desires.

By order of the Governor,,

Sd/-ADDITIONAL CHIEF SECRETARY,

HOME

ANNEXURE A TO SRO 149 *

Details of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities of Mahaz-e-Azadi are given as under:-

1. The aim and object of the party is that (I) Kashmir issue is yet to be solved and need to be resolved according to the UNO resolution to exercise the right of self-determination.

2. In 1983 its workers/activists took active part in the incident which erupted out of cricket match between India and West Indies at Srinagar.

3. The party with its anti-national motive issued statement on the death sentence of Maqbool Bhat and motivated the people to observe hartal to enlist protest against the decision.

4. On the night of May 15/16, 1984 the party pasted posters "AzadiKayParwanayGasibonKayQaidain". The spokesman .. of the party further alleged that they could continue their struggle for the freedom of Kashmir under the very leadership of its founder Sofi Mohd. Akbar.

5. On Dec. 11,1984 Mohd. Azam Inqlabi, President of the party • stated that Kashmir issue was unsolved and he had a comprehensive* plan about peaceful settlement of Kashmir isVue in case people extend their support.


6. On 18.5.85 workers of this party in collusion with peoples league workers spread rumours in Anantnag that Sofi Mohd. Akbar had expired, on this account Hamel Indrabi and Mohd. Iqbal activists instigated shopkeepers to observe hartal besides organising processing in which pro-Pak and anti national slogans were raised.

7. The party also was responsible for hartal on 11.2.86 in Kulgam to mark the death anniversary of Maqbool Bhat.

8. On 14.7.86 Mohd. Azam Inqlabi held Indian National Congress and RSS responsible for partition of the country in 1947. He exhorted people to call upon the leadership to review its Kashmir policy and stop the changing the Muslim majority character in the state.

9. On July 20,1986 Mohd. Azam Inqlabi at Shamswari Srinagar stated that his party being similar to that of Liberation Front and would keep their struggle for freedom unabated.

10. On Aug 7, 1986 Mr. Inqlabi said that they intends an autonomous Kashmir and party would continue its struggle for this.

11. On Dec. 15, Bashir Ahmad Bhat, an activist of the party ridiculed the official announcement that Mohd. Akbar Sofi was a freedom fighter, as no such goal had been achieved by them so far.

12. On Jan. 17,1988 the party issued hand bills/posters urging the people not to celebrate Republic Pay and boycott it, instead black flags should be hoisted.

13. On the eve of Friday congregation at Jamai Masjid Sopore on Jan. 22,1988 Mohd. Azam Inqlabi described Maqbool Bhat a Martyr who wanted liberate Kashmir from slavery shackles.

14. On Feb. 10, 1988 Azam Inqlabi was found persuading shopkeepers in and around Jama.t market Srinagar, to observe Maqbool day on Feb. 1,1988 by hoisting black flags on their shops and house-tops besides holding prayers, meeting.

15. On July 21,1989 Azam Inqlabi in his statement at Srinagar at Srinagar appealed to Kashmiri to adopt the path of armed struggle against India. He disclosed that during his long stay of 11 months in POK he has come to conclusion that Kashmir has to struggle themselves for a solution of Kashmir issue. While in POK he met thti leaders of Kashmir Freedom Movement, Jamit-i-Islami, muslim Conference, Islami Jamait Tulba etc. besides visiting the battle field of Jalababad in Afghanistan and meeting of afghan guerillas.

Annexures 481

16. On Aug. 31,-1989 in a statement at Sgr. (nqlabi criticised Pakistan for its observance of silence over the recent incidents in the valley.

17. Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Genl Secy of the party of Oct. 8,1989,in a public meeting at Anantnag Jamai Masjid described the Kashmir issue unsettled and asked all political parties to be united for launching a struggle for liberation of.Kashmir.

18. On Nov. 8, 1989 Azam Inqlabi in a press statement at Sgr. Alleged that Kashmir youths had been forced to take arms when they were denied the right of self-determination. He further warned that all the 32 prosecution witnesses in the murder case of Maqbool Bhat were on their hit list.

19. On Jan. 2,1990 in a press statement at Sgr. Inqlabi claimed that his 'Mahafaz Dasta' (security guard) has successfully recovered a rev/amn. from an informer in Jamai Masjid area.

20. On Jan. 3,1990 the party had asked the people at Sgr. through a press note to observe Jan. 5, ,1990 as a 'right of self determination day" with illumination and taking out of a procession.


GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR HOME DEPARTMENT

NOTIFICATION Srinagar,the 16,h April, 1990

SRO No: 150 Whereas the Peoples League is an association:

a) Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983.

b) ' The members of which undertake such activities. c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

'* * ' for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public adminis t ra t ion , the administration and the maintenance of law and order and which constitutes a danger to public peace.

d) Such personand sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended to encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake objective which are offences punishable u / s 153-A and 153-B of the State Ranbir Penal Code.

e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objectives, activities and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to threat or likely to threat or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups and communities in the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which form part of the scheme intended to cause or likely to cause, fear alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such persons, sympathisers and members aforesaid, by words, either spoken or written, or by, signs or visible representation have indulged in activities e.g. after the formation of the Peoples' League the leaders of the party desired to have arms training imparted to their workers secretly on the pattern of Chinese guerillas. In 1984 this group incited the Muslims and the youth to take to arms. In May 1985 Farooq Rahfnani provoked that religious sentiments of the Muslims and tried to provoke people on the writ petition filed in the Calcutta High Court on the issue of Holy Qurran. The group has also given a call for boycotting Republic Day Celebrations.

(

Anncxures 483

.And whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the proceeding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials in its possession which the State Government considers to be against the public interest to disclose, the State Government is of opinion that the Peoples' League is an unlawful Association.

Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by sub section (1) of Section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declares the aforesaid party to be an unlawful Association.

An person, whether an office bearer/or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested, can make a representation in respect of the Notification to the Government of J&K within a period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this Notification, if he so desires.


SD/-ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY (HOME)

J&K GOVERNMENT, SRINAGAR

ANNEXURE 'A' TO S.R.O 150

Details of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities of Peoples League ate given, as utider.-

1. The aim and objects of the group are to' achieve the right of self-determination and the settlement of Kashmir issue in the light of UNO resolution, 1948 by taking recourse to unconstitutional methods. The militants among the party are opposing the State's accession to India.

2. In May 1986 Farooq Rehmani with ulterior motive to provoke the religious sentiments of Muslim highlighted the episode of filing of writ petition on the issue of the alleged ban on Holy Qurran in Calcutta High Court. The workers of the group also raised pro-Pak slogans when the rumour about the death of Sofi Mohd. Akbar was set afloat by some members of the party resulting in communal disharmony and feelings of ill will and hatred.

3. The group also endorsed a call for boycotting celebration of Republic Day of 1^87. The group also gave a call on February 4 to observe-annual death anniversary of.Maqbool fthnt on February 11, l ^ u as a mark of solidarity to the support


extended by anti-Indian forces to the Kashmiris for their freedom movement.

4. In January 1988 the workers of the party issued hand bills/ posters on the eve of Republic Day of India appealing the people to boycott the celebration of Republic Day in protest against detention of Shabir Shah. They also hoisted black flags on the Republic Day at various places in Srinagar City and other towns of the valley. This resulted in disturbing public peace and order and interfered with the smooth functioning of the public administration.

5. The party on February 17, 1988 urged shopkeepers and transporters to observe death anniversay of Maqbool Bhat by observing hartal thus interfering with the maintenance of Supplies and Services essential to the life of the people at large.

6. Inameeting(JulylO/ll)at KadiporaAnantnag some activists / of the party decided that Muslims should emulate the spirits to Jehad like Afghan Mujahideen so as to achieve liberation of Kashmir from the Union of India by inciting fear and alarm and feelings of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups in Kashmir.

7. On August 28,1988 Shabir Shah urged the youth to continue their struggle for establishment of Nizam Mustaffa in the State thus ousting of secular character of Indian Policy and for this purpose to drive out for the valley all non-Musfims or as an ;-alternative to subject themselves to Nizam-e-Mustaffa.

8. On May 12,1989 Abdul Aziz Sheikh an activists of the Party thanked people for their cooperation in observing hartal in connection with 'Kashmir Quit'Movement'.

9. On October 27/28, 1989 the party gave a call for two days hartal as a mark of protest against landing the Indian troops in J&K State in 1947 thereby arousing anti-national feelings among the people.

10. On December 22,1989 hand bills depicting 'People League Ka Kiya Paigam' "Fateh, Azadi aur Islam" were found in circulation in the City. This caused a fluster and sense of insecurity in the minds of the minority community of Kashmir.

11. Poster purpor ted ly issued by various under ground organisations, including people's League and Hizbullah were found pasted oh wall/lamp posts at different places in the valley calling upon the people to observe January 26,1990 as a black day People's League posters on behalf of Shabir Ahmed

Annexures 485

Shah carried a- motto that the Indian'constitution was unacceptable and only the Holy Qurran was the code of human beings thus causing panic in the minds of non-Muslims and threaten and disrupt communal harmony in the valley. People were appealed to'impose self curfew on January 26,1990 and boycott all functions connected with national celebrations.



NOTIFICATION SRINAGAR, the 16,h APRIL, 1990.

SRO No. 146 Whereas the Jamait-i-Islami J&K is an Association:-

a) Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983.

b) The members of which undertake such activities. c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public adminis t ra t ion, the administration and the maintenance of law and order and which constitute a danger to the public peace.

d) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have , for its objects, activities and actions which are intended to encourage and which encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable under section 153-A and 153-B of the state Ranbir Penal Code.

e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activites and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to threat of likely to threat of disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which form a part of the scheme intend to cause or likely to cause, fear alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of the different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such persons,sympathisers and members aforesaid by words, either spoken or written, or by signs or visible representation have indulged in activities e.g. on 3rd January, 1989, Mr. Ashraf Sharahi General Secretary in a statement criticised Simla Agreement as a conspiracy & claimed that Kashmir issue could be settled only through self determination. Similarly on V February, 1989 S.A.S Geelanfasserted that elections were no substitute for self determination, and

Whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other acts and materials in the possession which the State Government considers to be against the public

Annexurcs 487

interest to disclose, the State Government is of opinion that the said Jamait-I-Islami is an unlawful association.

Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub sectionO) of section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983 the Government of J&K hereby declares the aforesaid party to be an unlawful association.

Any person, whether and office bearer or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested can make a representation in respect of this Notification to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir within a period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this Notification, if he so desires.

By order of the Governor.

• S d / -ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVT

HOME DEPARTMENT

ANNEXURE 'A' TO S.R.O 146

The detail of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities is given as under:-

1. The Party aims to carve out an Islamic State out of the present Government established by law.

2. The party disputed the accession of the J&K State with India and preaches rime and again secession of the State from Union told and induced youth by exhorting them that it would be Kashmiris who have to decide about the fate of Kashmir and none else. . . .

3. It criticises the Centre and State Government's for measures taken by the Government to reduce the Muslim majority complexion of the State into minority. It further criticised the special status conferred on the State vide Article 370 of the Indian constitution stands from time to time. . . .

4. The party does not accept the constitution of the State describing it as a fraud committed by undemocratic Governments.

5. The party alleged that Kashmir issue is still unsolved and needs to be decided in accordance with the resolutions of UNO.

6. The [El has a organising structure headed by Amir-e-Jamat. There is also Majlia-e-Shoora comprising of 31 members appointed by Amir to advise him on baffling issues.


On June 13th Amir-e-Jamat, Ghulam Mohd. Bhat in a press release at Srinagar, claimed that Kashmir was disputed territory whereas earlier to it Ghulam Qadir Wani (Amir-e-Tehsil Bandipora) on June 9, while addressing the congregation enjoined upon Kashmiris to liberate their land. He questioned the accession and criticised the late J.L.Nehru, S.M Abdullah and Indira Gandhi for cheating the people of State and keeping them in dark about accession to India and alleged that instrument of accession is devoid of democratic sanction and was an open issue. Similar views were expressed by G.M Shafi (Amir-e-Zilla, Baramulla) on August 19,1986 and Abdul Majid a JEI activist Sopore on Augut 29,1986 Ghulam Nabi Nowsherhri resented vehemently the taking of Darsagahs by the government, in April 1987, assailing the conception of socialism and secularism he laid claim that these were anti-Islam and emphasised that Islam was a complete code of life. Whereas, S.A.S Geelani criticised bunglmgs in election and marked that Government would crumble under its own weight, at Srinagar May 13,1987.

While addressing Friday congregation Abdul Majid that Baramulla criticised (Sopore-May 20) the policies of State and Central Governments as anti-Islamic. He remarked that bear was 'Halal' for Muslims yet slaughter of bovine animals was banned in the State. On the other hand consumption of liquor was banned in Islam but it was permitted. He alleged that there was no freedom of religions by allowing simply pray five times a day.

According in press release issue by JEI in a Shoora meeting (June 3, 1988- Srinagar) in one of the resolution among others, India and Pakistan were appealed to concede the demand of Kashmiris for the exercise of their rights of self - determination.

In the two days annual Ijtimah held at (Tahama Idgah-Sopore-June 25/26) Abdul Majid Bhat S.A.S Geelani and Prof. A.G. Bhat exhorted the congregation not to yield to the pressures of Batil Nizam. Sh. Geelani asked the rank and file tha.t accession the Indian Union was a wrong decision as it yielded no good to the Kashmiris on the other hand he said the instance of progress of Pak Occupied Kashmir were self speaking.

S. A.S Geelani on July 1,1988 while addressing a Friday congregation at Baramulla held out that they were prepared to make all sacrifices relieving Kashmiris from the shackles of slavery. He referred to the Presidential ordinance separating religion from politics and remarked that it amounts to an open interference in the affairs of the Muslims and it should not be made applicable to' the Muslims in the country.

Referrring to Kashmir issue G.M. Bhat said that Kashmir issue is being considered as disputed one by his party. He added that this d tspute could not be resolved unless the Muslims in general and Muslims youth in particular assemble under one banner and struggle foi its settlement.

Annexures 489

On July 25, 1988 at Sopore while address ing Id-ud-Zuha congregation Shri Geelani, MLA Sopore remarks vehemently that Islam was not free in Indian Union fold and they have to strive hard for getting it emancipated from slavery chains.

Mohd. Ashraf Saraf (Amir-e-Zilla Baramulla) while addressing Id-congregation at Baramulla (July 25) among other things said that extension of Presidential ordinance to J&K State banning misuse of places of religious worship would be resisted by JEI. He criticised the conduct of census in the State.

Nazir Ahmed Kashani in a press statement on August 13,1989 urged the Government not to make any move to introduce bill regarding misuse of reUgious places-as it would be resisted/resented and marked trjat it was deep rooted conspiracy against religions.

G.M Soft1 while addressing a congregation (Sopore September 2) he condemned the leaders who mislead the Muslims by assuring that Islam was quit safe. Regarding the adoption of religious institutions prevention of misuse bill by parliament, he said that it was beyond comprehension as to how laws made by man could be imposed on the house of God (mosque). He induced the audience by saying that such a thing could be possible in the case of a temple or a Gurdwara but not in the case of mosque (House of God).

While addressing a public meeting at Vilgam, Handwara September 9,1988 JEI leader S.A.S Geelani said that Muslims in India did not enjoy freedom of religions and they are being distented from religion through conspiracies. The aim and object of the party is to replace present political system through establishment of Ni2am-e-Mustaf fa . He reiterated that JEI stood for an opportunity to exercise their right of self - determination.

S.A.S Geelani, while addressing a Friday congregation (Sopore-September 16) assailed the ideals of socialism and secularism by alleging that minorities are maltreated in India. Muslims are dubbed as second class citizens and whereas Sikhs are treated as third class citizens.

Daily mouth piece "Azan" of JEI party in its issue dated January 3, 1989 published a threat given by S.A.S Geelani and G.M. Sumji MLAs to start a public row in case Government established by law ventured to have the interest of the people of the valley by evolving three new districts in Jammu against one in Kashmir.

On January 3, 1989 Mohd. Ashraf Sahrai, general secretary in a statement criticised Simla Agreement as a conspiracy to end the disputed Kashmir issue. On the other hand he claimed that Kashmir could be settled only by the exercise of right of self-determination.

The Daily offiial organ "Azan" of JEI in its column January 1989 condemned the arrest of Kashmiris youth by the Govt, in its editorial of January 11, issue (at the end of editorial) it remarked that while the whole


country would celebrate its Republic Day with gait, the people of Kashmir would be lamenting over their plight.

On January 13, 1989 G.M. Sofi Saifi while addressing a Friday congregation (Bhit-ul-Mukaram-mosque-BaramuIla) criticised the action local police against local butchers for slaughtering of bovine animals. He suggested clandestinely to them not to carry on this part of trade openly. While referring to the remarks of Rajiv Gandhi the end of SAARC Conference, the speakers said that Kashmir issue could not be solved under the Simla Agreement but on the other hand it could be solved in giving the opportunity to the Kashmir people to exercise the right of self-determination.

Again January 16 (Naidgam-Shopian) Hakim Ch. Nabi JEI chief, Sh. Qadir Wani, Abdul Hamid Fayaz(ITI) and others criticising the constructive programme of family planning said that it was well planned conspiracy to reduce the Muslim majority to the microscopic minority.

Moulvi Ghulam Mohd Bakshi while addressing Friday congregation (Baqa Sahib Mosque-Baramulla-Srinagar, January 20) appreciated the crusade of Afghan rebels and called the Kashmiris to emulate the spirit of struggle in order to shake off slavery shackles.

Ghulam Mohd. Sofi Saifi on February 3,1989 at Sopore exhorted the gathering to foil the attempts of force inimical to Islam and prayed for the success of Afghan Mujahideen (Rebels) Palestines and Kashmiri people.

On February 17,1989 Mohd.Ashraf Sahrai while addressing a public meeting (Harijan ) condemned the part of Indian Government in supporting the Soviets in Afghanistan and remarked that conspiracies to hurt the sentiments of the Muslims in India are going on Muslim youths to arrest/interrogation the future of innocent Muslims was being ruined.

During the Zuhur prayers in Idagh Qadem Bala April 6 speakers including Mohd. Ashraf Saraf, G.M Saifi and others said that they would being about an Islamic revolution in the State under the pattern of Afghan Mujahideen.

Ch. Mohd. Saifi alleged that J&K was a disputed territory and JKLF was in favour of un-independent Kashmir. He held Dr. Faroo'q Abdullah responsible in the execution of late Maqbool Bhat besides demanding release of all arrested youth and stoppage of further arrests.

S.A.S Geelani (Sopore-April 7) called upon youth to be prepared to lay down their lives to achieve their freedom. Again on April 14,1989 at Sopore disclosed that he had not sought votes for electorate merely for seeking fulfilment of their demands on the other hand he had promised them to continue struggle for liberating Kashmir. He reiterated that Kashmir was under illegal occupation of India since last 40 years. He threatened that an attempt on the part of Govt, to close down their

Annexures 491

Darasaghs would be met with dire consequences. He exhorted the youths for launching struggle to free themselves from shackles of slavery.

On April 7,1989 S.A.S Geelani at Jamia Masjid Sopore, in an iftaf party stated that the recent activities of separatist/subversive elements in Srinagar was an expression of growing misrule of the State Govt. He criticised the State accession to Indian Union was not final at all unless the people of Kashmir get the chance to exercise the right of self-determination. He condemned the people of Pakistan to the extent they voted in favour of secular and socialistic elements at the general elections in the country.

In another Friday congregation (Baba Sahib Mosque-Baramulla Srinagar-April 21) G.M Bakshi criticised the Central Govt, and remarked that India was only place where the worship places of minority communities were usurped by the majority community.

While addressing Friday congregation at Jamia Masjid Sopore May 6 G.M Saifi, Amir-e-Zilla, Baramulla disclosed that if Kashmiri Muslims would act like Afghan Mujahideen and Indian rulers would inevitable have to retreat from Kashmir. He exhorted the people to be ready for launching a 'JEHAD' Mohd. Ishaq Naziki Imam, for liberation in fl practical way in emulation to Afghan Mujahideen.'

Syed Ali Shah Geelani at Sopore on (May 12) declared that present hartal/strike as a beginning of so-called "Quit Kashmir Movement" and asked the people to lend support to the movement by observing hartals whenever call was given. He alleged that Kashmiris were-living as slaves in India and the present hartal was a reflection or their desire to tree themselves from the slavery chains.

S.A.S Geelani accompained by Abdul Ahad Bhat (Amir-e-Tehsil Kupwara) had visited the families of all those persons who had been involved in terrorist and disruptive activities and paid Rs. 300/- as assiatance to each family. -

On 27/28 May, 1989 Syed Ali Shah Geelani while addressing an ljtimah at idgah Langate said that JEI would not rest at peace unless socialism and secularism were eradicated from the State. He remarked that only solution to the so-called Kashmir issue was to allow Kashmiris to exercise their right of self determination.

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, senior Jamat leader, while addressing a public meeting at Beerwah-July 19,1989, said that the Kashmiris were living as slaves since last four decades. He said that if the people wanted to shake off the shackles of their slavery they should not be scared of bullets-Referring to the activities of terrorism he asserted the JEI was in agreement with the principles and aims and objectives of terrorists and they had sympathies with them.


On July 29th - 30th, 1989 in a congregation at Idgah Zaloura Sopore, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and others said that Muslims continued to get raw deal and were victimised in communal violence. Later on in a debate organised by the party GM Saifi (Amir-a-Zilla Baramulla) said that JEI would launch and armed struggle to seek settlement of the so-called Kashmir issue.

On 19/20lh August 1989 S.A.S Geelani while addressing a congregation at Shalimar, claimed that the so-called Kashmir issue was unresolved and demanded its settlement in accordance with UNO resolution. He said that besides setting up Islami Nizam, JEI wanted freedom of Jammu and Kashmir.

On 26-27* August, 1989 while addressing in an ljtimah at Idgah Ahli-Hadis Anantnag on being asked Syed Ali Shah Geelani said that militants were on true path as per their own ideology and thinking.

On December 8 th, 1989 S.A.S Geelani while addressing a Friday congregation at Sopore exhorted the participants to abstain from political discussions and instead extend all kind of support to freedom loving youths and join their ranks.

On February 15th 1990 Syed Ali Shah Geelani while addressing in an ljtimah at Malabagh Srinagar disputed the State's accession with Indian Union and demanded its settlement in accordance with UNO resolutions. Referring to prevailing situation in the valley he said that Kashmir youth were left with no option but to pick up arms and fight for restoration of their rights. He refuted that Pakistan was in any way involved in the present situation in Kashmir.

Anncxures 493 "


NOTIFICATION SRINAGAR, THE 16™ APRIL, 1990

SRO No. 151 Whereas the JKLF (Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front) is an

Association:-a) Which encourages OT aids persons and its sympathisers to

undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983.

b) The members of which undertake such activities: c) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which interfere and aim at interference with the public administration, the administration and the maintenance of law and order and which constituted a danger to the public peace:

d) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended to encourage and which_encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable under

• section 153-A and 153-B of the State Ranbir Panel Code. e) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have

for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which may form a part of the scheme intend to threat or likety to threat or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State.

f) Such persons and sympathisers and members aforesaid have for its objects, activities and actions which are intended or which form part of the scheme intend to cause or likely to cause, fear alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities in the State.

g) Such persons, sympathisers and members aforesaid by words, either spoken'or written, or by signs or visible representation have indulged in activities e.g., the party has made a clear announcement that through armed struggle it will achieve independence for the people of Kashmir. By another announcement the JKLF has nominated Yassin Malik a Commander-N-Chief, Abdul Hameed Sheikh, Deputy CNC and Javed Mir, Publicity and Information incharge. It has already given a clear call for independence. On 26th January, 1990 the party had the plan to declare independence.

i


And whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials in its possession which the State Government considers to be against the public interest to disclose, the State Government is of opinion that the said party is an unlawful Association.

Now therefore in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 3 of the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act 1983, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir hereby declare the aforesaid party to be an unlawful Association.

Any person, whether an office bearer or a member of the aforesaid Association or otherwise interested can make a representation in respect of this Notification to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir within a period of thirty days from the date of issuance of this Notification if he so desires.


Sd/-ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY

HOME DEPARTMENT GOVERNMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR

WINTER SECTT. SRINAGAR

ANNEXURE A TO SRO 151

Details of some of the anti-national and prejudicial activities of JKLF are given and under.

Aims and object of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front 1. ' Secession of J&K from Union of India through Armed struggle. Some major instances of Anti-national/prejudicial activities of JKLF

are numerated below:-1. In the fourth convention of JKLF held at Lutan England in

October 1982 a number o f resolutions with regard to independence of J&K State were passed and adopted under the signature of Shri AmanUllah Khan. " '(>

2. JKLF has been preaching secession of J&K State from Union of India and in this connection it gave^alls through posters to the people of State to observe 15th August 1988 and 1989 (Independence Day) as black day in the state protest against the alleged occupation of Kashmir by Indian forces. Similar calls were issued on the occasion of Independence Day as well.

Annexures 495

3. JKLF in its attempt to cause secession of J&K State from Union of India tried to crea te public disorder by giving calls for bunds and strike through posters.

4. In November 1989 JKLF and its allies launched a boycott campaign" for the.9th Ldk Sabha Elections and through its coercive methods it succeeded to a large extent in this campaign.

5. JKLF militants unleashed a reign of terror in the Kashmir valley and indulged in a large number of assassinations. The party through press notes published by different newspapers of the valley proudly accepted and took credit for these dastardly acts. The main victims of the violence were political workers and public servants responsible for maintenance of public order. By these acts the party intended to create chaos in the state and a complete break down of machinery of a lawful Govt, to achieve their nefarious design.

6. In December 1989 terrorists having allegiance with JKLF ' kidnapped Dr. Rubiya Sayeed D/o Mufti Mohd. Sayeed Home Minister Union of India and demanded'release of five militants in exchange. After negotiations Dr. Rubiya was released in \ exchange of the militants. Mr Aman Ullah Khan Chairman of JKLF through a statement declared this criminal act of kidnapping of an innocent girl to the biggest achievement of the organisation. Through the same statement the Chairman of JKLF confessed on behalf ot his organisation the killing of . Sh. N.K. Ganjoo retired session judge for what he called the ' announcement of an unjust and politically motivated judgement.

7. The chairman of JKLF Mr. Aman Ullah Khan through a statement issued on January 1,1990 in Rawalpindi Pakistan declared JKLF to be an enemy of Govt, of India and its functionaries and all such political parties in India which support the accession of J&K State with India. He further declared that all such functionaries and political party members should be made targets.

' 8. In April 1990 JK Students Liberation Front a satellite of JKLF organised the kidnapping of Prof. Mushir-ul-Haq ,Vice -Chancellor of Kashmir University, Mr. Abdul Gani Dy. Registrar Kashmir University and Shri H.L Khera General Manager HMT Srinagar. The kidnapees were subsequently killed by the militants according to statement of Aman Ullah Khan chairman of JKLF issued by him in a press conference at •, the UN Headquarter in New York on April 4, 1990.


TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE OF INDIA EXTRAORDINARY

PART II, SECTION 3, SUB-SECTION (II) DATED 18-2-1996 DEPARTMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AFFAIRS

NEW DELHI, the 18* February, 1996

NOTIFICATION

S.O. 131 (E) - WHEREAS the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (herein after referred to as JKLF) is an association actually based in Pakistan and London having sympathisers, supporters and agents on Indian soil, especially in Jammu & Kashmir and

1. It has openly declared as its aim secession of the State of Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India, and to achieve this-purpose a) has been mobilising Kashmiri youth with the help of Pak

Inter Services Intelligence, exhorting them to intensify the armed struggle against the State Government established by law to achieve liberation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and indulging in activities prejudicial to the security and territorial integrity of India

b) has been spearheading a campaign for uniting militant outfits, professing secession

c) has been opposing holding of elections in the State of Jammu & Kashmir thereby obstrructing people from exercising their democratic and constitutional rights (the group has continued to advocate granting of self-determination and unity amongst various militant outfits);

d) its President, Yasin Malik, in an interview made an appeal to the former US President George Bush in December, 1995 to intervene for liberating the State from the Indian Union

2. It has, in its attempt to cause secession of the State of Jammu & Kashmir from the Union of India a) indulged in militant acts including abductions, shootouts

and threatening employees and large quantities of arms and ammunition continue to be recovered from the activists of the group.

b) Has been sending youth for training across the border c) Has been giving hartal calls hi disrupt life and taking out

processions in violation ol prohibitory orders

Annexures 497

3. The activists of JKLF have been violating prohibitory orders and creating law and'order situation and on 28-7.94, 31.7.94, 10.12.94,28.1.95,22.10.95, and 24.10.95 processions were taken, out by JKLF violating prohibitory orders.

4. JKLF claimed responsibility for attacks on security forces at Sonawari and Rafiabad in Baramulla District on 2nd April, 1994.

5. JKLF has been confessing involvement in subversion and issued details of attacks by the JKLF on security forces in Urdu daily 'Mashriq' dated 28th October, 1995.

6. JKLF kidnapped one Atif Amin, son of Mohd. Amin Bhat resident of Theed Harwan during the night intervening 14/ 15 November, 1994 at New Theed, who was subsequently released.

7. Militants belonging to JKLF killed one Imtiyaz Ahmed S/o Sajad Parvez resident of Chotta Bazar, Srinagar on 24th

November, 1994 8. The JKLF has been making open pronouncements prejudicial

to the interest of the nation and having serious repercussions for the integrity and security of India, such as the following: a) Yasin Malik, President of JKLF, in an interview to The

Statesman on January 22,1995 reiterated the demand for complete independence for Kashmir

b) Amanullah Khan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir-based Chairman of JKLF, also asserted the demand of the people ofJ&K for JAzadi' in an articte published in March 1995 in the Pakistani daily "News" (subsequently he reiterated his views in "The Kashmir Post' (May 1995), a journal published from London by the Kashmir Information Centre).

c) JKLF warned the people of the State from paying taxes and asked the Government employees not to submit their property statements.

And whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that for the aforesaid reasons the JKLF (including its members, activists, armed group sympathisers and self-styled leaders, operating inside India and abroad) is an unlawful association;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (7) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (17 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), including its members, activists, armed groups, sympathisers and self-styled leaders operating inside India and abroad to be an unlawful Association:

J


And whereas the Central Government is further of the opinion that because of its continued activities aimed at secession and the repeated acts of violence and attacks by its armed groups on the security forces and on the civilian population.

Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the provision to Sub-section (3) of the said section the Central Government directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the said Act, have effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

(F.No. 13014/13/95-R (DO-1)

DIP/ J-4046/96 Sd/-Dt: 28.3.96 (CPHUNSOG)

JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

Anncxurcs 499 _

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF JAMMU & KASHMIR AFFAIRS

NOTIFICATION

NEW DELHI, the 17,h February, 1998 S.0.129 (E) - WHEREAS the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front

(herein after referred to as JKLF) is an association actually based in Pakistan and London having sympathisers, supporters and agents on Indian soil, especially in Jammu & Kashmir and

1. It has openly declared as its aim, secession of the State o{ Jammu and Kashmir from the Union of India, and to achieve this purpose a) has been mobilising Kashmiri youth with the help of Pak

Inter Services Intelligence, exhorting them to intensify the armed struggle against the State Government established by law to achieve liberation of the State of Jammu and Kashmir and indulging in activities prejudicial to the security and territorial integrity of India;

b) has been preaching right of self-determination for the people of Jammu & Kashmir and has been giving calls to the people to observe 15th day of August (Independence Day) as a Black Day

c) has been opposing holding of elections in the State of Jammu & Kashmir thereby obstructing people from exercising their democratic and constitutional rights (the group has continued to advocate granting of self-determination and unity amongst w-rious militant outfits);

d) has been extorting money from the people at gun point to meet its requirements

e) has been holding protests and demonstrations in India and abroad

2. It has, in its attempt to cause secession of the State of Jammu & Kashmir from the Union of India a) indulged in militant acts as endorsed by the large

quantities of arms and ammunition from the group. b) Tried to create public disorder by giving and supporting

calls for bandhs and strikes 3. The activists of JKLF attempted to sei7e the Hazratbal Shrine

on the 24,h March 1496, which led to an encounter in which 5 Jammu & Kashmir Armed Police personnel including a Sub-Inspectur were injured and M JKLFmili tan ts were killed. The '' Sub-Inspector later succumbed to his injuries.

i ; Kashmir Underground

4. The activists of JKLF attacked the security forces near Hazratbal on the 30th March 1996, in which 22 JKLF militants were killed.

5. On a specific information, the J&K Police raided the house of JKLF Commander-in-Chief Rafiq Dar at Maisuma, Srinagar on the 26th of August, 1997. Yasin Malik objected to the raid. He was picked up and later released. Some 50-60 activists pelted stones at the police in protest and raised pro-independence slogans.

6. Yasin Malik, President of JKLF, was arrested in Pulwama on the 12th of September 1996 and again in Doda on the 24lh of September, 1996 while campaigning against the holding of elections in Jammu & Kashmir.

7. During the second half of 1997, the security forces recovered large quantities of arms and ammunition from the houses and hideouts of JKLF militants/

8. The JKLF has been making pronouncements prejudicial to the interests of the nation and having serious repercussions for the interest and security of India, such as the following: a) Yasin Malik in a press statement, while fully supporting

the hartal call given by the All Party Hurriyat Conference on the occasion of swearing-in ceremony of the National Conference Government in the month of October 1996, appealed to the people of Kashmir to observe "Civil Curfew" and hold protests

b) Amanullah Khan, Pakistan occupied Kashmir-based Chairman of JKLF, in a press statement on the 2nd of January, 1997, described the UN resolution dated the 5th

of January, 1949, regarding Kashmir issue as an insult to the people of Kashmir and added that by excluding the right of-self-determination, people's basic right, i.e. the self-dependence has been crashed. He further appealed to observe the 5th of January, 1997 as the third option day by observing complete 'hartal'.

c) Yasin Malik, while addressing a seminar (organised by the All India Peoples Resistance Forum) on the 25th and 26* May, 1997 in Calcutta declared to continue the struggle for total freedom of Kashmir

d) Yasin Malik stated in a condolence meeting at the Central Office of JKLF on the 30,h and 315t of December, 1997, that people should devote towards the freedom movement to achieve freedom

y

'Annexures 501

e) Yasin Malik led a delegation of All Party Hurriyat Conference on the 2nd Jnauary, 1998 in Tral and launched anti-election campaign from Dargah Faiz Panah

0 Yasin Malik attended Kul Jamat Hurriyat Conference (KJHC) on the I0,h of January, 1998 and supported KJHC decision to boycott the Lok Sabha Elections 1998 ,

g) JKLF appealed to the people of Jammu & Kashmir on the 21st and 22nd January, 1998 to observe the 26th of January, 1998

h) Yasin Malik while addressing a meeting on the 21s' of January, 1998 at Imam Bara, Badgam, stated that elections cannot be a substitute to plebiscite

And whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that for the aforesaid reasons the JKLF (including its members, activists, armed group sympathisers and self-styled leaders, operating inside India and abroad) is an unlawful association;

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of Section 3 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 (37 of 1967), the Central Government hereby declares the Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), including its members, activists, armed groups, sympathisers and self-styled leaders operating inside India and abroad to be an unlawful Association:

And whereas the Central Government is further of the opinion that because of its continued activities aimed at secession and the repeated gets of violence and attacks by its armed groups on the security forces, it

. is necessary to declare the JKLF to be unlawful association with j ' immediate effect;

Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by the provision to Sub-section (3) of the said section the Central Government directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the said Act, have effect from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.

Sd/-(SUDHIR S. BLOERIA)

JOINT SECRETARY TO THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA (RNo. 13014/10/95-K (DOI)


(No. Home-6/98/ISA) Dated: 17/2/1998



NOTIFICATION Srinagar 18-9-1996

SRO 324: Whereajs, the Harkat-ul-Ansar (HUA) is a militant association formed

in October, 1993 with the merger of the militant outfits, Harkat-ul-Jehad and Harkat-ul-Mujahideen:

1) ' Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of Jammu & Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983, as amended from time to time;

2) Of such persons, sympathisers and members who for its objects, activities and actions; a) Interfere and aim at interference with the public

administration and maintenance of law and order which constitutes danger to the public peace

b) Encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable under sections 153-A and 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code

c) Conceive plans designed to formulate the schemes to threaten or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State, and

d) Formulate the schemes intended to cause, or likely to -cause, fear, alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities ' in the State

Whereas, in furtherance of the aforesaid objectives the said militant outfit

1) Has been indulging in acts of armed violence with the help of foreign militants and foreign funds against the Government established by law

2) Has spread fundamentalist militancy to secede the State of Jammu & Kashmir from-Union of India and merge it with Pakistan

3) Has been imparting training to the youth in guerilla warfare in Pakistan/ Pakistan Occupied Kashmir besides imparting local training

4) Has unleashed a reign of terror in the State by resorting to violent activities resulting in deaths of a number of civilians and security forces personnel and kidnappings

Anncxures 503

5) • Has resorted to acts with the intention to' create communal disharmony between Muslims and Hindus, and

6) Has issued warning to Police Personnel and Government Employees not to take part in the electoral process in the State and warned them of dire consequences if they indulge in such activities

Whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials in its possession, which the Government considers to be against the public interest to disclose, the Government is of the opinion that the said Harkat-ul-Ansar is an unlawful association; and

Whereas the Government is further of the opinion that because of ir* continued activities aimed at secession and the repeated acts of violence and attacks by its armed groups on the security forces and on the civilian population, it is necessary'to declare the said association to be unlawful with immediate effect.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 and Section 3-A of the Jammu & Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, the Government hereby declares the aforesaid Association to be an unlawful association and further directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the said Act, have effect from the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

' Any office bearer or member of the aforesaid association or any other person interested to make a representation to the Government in respect of the issue of aforementioned notification may do so within a period of 30 days.

By order of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

No. Home-468/96/ISA Sd/-Dated: 18-09-1996 ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT DIP/J-1735 HOME DEPARTMENT Dt: 19-9-96



NOTIFICATION Srinagar 18-9-1996

SRO 325: Whereas, the Hizb-ul-Mu}ahideen is an association :

1) Which encourages or aids persons and its sympathisers to undertake unlawful activities within the meaning of jamrnu & Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1983, as amended from time to time;

2) Of such persons, sympathisers and members who for its objects, activities and actions; a) Interfere and aim at interference with the public

administration and maintenance of law and order which constitutes danger to the public peace

b) Encourage, aid and incite the people to undertake activities which are offences punishable under sections 153-A and 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code

c) Formulate schemes to threaten or disrupt or likely to disrupt harmony between different religious groups of the State, and

d) Formulate the schemes intended to cause, or likely to cause, fear, alarm and feeling of insecurity amongst members of different religious groups and communities in the State

Whereas, in furtherance of the aforesaid objectives the said militant outfit

3) Has been indulging in acts of armed violence for more than seven years and is in the forefront of secessionist movement in the state with active support of the Pakistan and P.O.K. Governments in terms of arms training, supply of arms and guidance

4) Has set ablaze various Government schools in order to compel the parents to send their children to the schools run by Jamait-e-Islami where they are introd uced to use of force to destabilise Government established by law

5) Has resorted to ruthless killing of Kashmiri politicians and intellectuals opposed to their ideology

6) Has forced Kashmiri youth to go across the border for arms training and continues to send youth to Pakistan/ Pakistan Occupied Kashmir for receiving arms training in sophisticated

Annexures 505

weaponary so that on their return they can indulge in secessionist activities and violence

7) Has indulged and continues to indulge in activities which threaten/ distrupt harmony between different communities/ religious groups

8) Has made pronouncements prejudicial to the integrity and security of the country as well as public order

9) Has unleashed a reign of terror in the State to create chaos and insecurity among the people and to undermine the authority of law and to destabilise the Government established bylaw

10) Has warned political leaders, general public and Government employees to desist from participation in the election which poses a serious threat to the establishment of popular Government in the State.

Whereas for all or any of the grounds set out in the preceding paragraphs as also on the basis of other facts and materials in its possession, which the Government considers lo be against the public interest to disclose, the Government is of the opinion that the said association is an unlawful association; and

Whereas the Government is further of the opinion that because of its continued activities aimed at secession and the repeated acts of violence and attacks by its armed groups on the security forces and on the civilian population, it is necessary to declare the said association to be unlawful with immediate effect.

Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 and Section 3-A of the Jammu & Kashmir Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1983, the Government hereby declares the aforesaid Association to be an unlawful association and further directs that this notification shall, subject to any order that may be made under Section 4 of the said Act, have effect from the date of its publication in the Government Gazette.

Any office bearer or member of the aforesaid association or any other person interested to make a representation to the Government in respect of the issue of aforementioned notification may do so within a period of 30 days.

By order of the Government of Jammu & Kashmir.

Sd/-DHVJ-1736 ADDL. CHIEF SECRETARY TO GOVERNMENT Dt: 19-9-96 HOME DEPARTMENT

Index

Abbas, Chaudhury Ghulam, 190 Abbas, Gulshan, 238 Abbas, Zaheer, 137 Abbas, Zubair, 237 Abdul al Maudodi,

Maulana Sayid, 122 Abdullah (Arif Hussain), 139 Abdullah, Farooq, 25, 48, 89, 94, 95,

101,106, 111, 112, 121, 126, 127, 132, 133,158,168,186,194,198,210, 415

Abdullah, Sheikh, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 59, 95,116,122,124,126,174,190,194

Abdus, Samsad, 140 Abid, Abu, 247 Aboo, Iqbal, 237 Abrar, Ah'med, 237 Ackerrnah, Gary, 74 Activists of Jammu region on Feb. 27,

1996,155,156 Adil, Abu, 149, 239, 247 Advani, L.K., 98,199 Afghan Command Force, 227 Afghan Mujahideen, 27,129 Afghan War, 178, 222 Afghani, Fayaz, 238 Afghani, Idris Bhai, 237 Afghani, Jamal, 154, 240 Afghani, Muzzamil, 237 Afghani, Owais, 238 Afghani, Sajjad Khan, 136,137,179, 237,

433 Afghani, Yaqub, 237 Afghani, Zahoor, 143,145,238 Afghani, Zardar Khan, 238 Afghanistan, 136 Afghanistan against Soviet Armed Forces,

24 Agra Central Jail, 52 Ahangar, Nissar, Ahmed, 239 Ahidi, Mohammed Yusuf, 450 Ahle Hadees, 420 Ahmed, Altaf, 183,239 Ahmed, Bashir, 41,239,241 Ahmed Bilal, 146, 238

Ahmed, Farooq, 238, 240 Ahmed, Fayaz, 179, 241,246,247 Ahmed, Ghulam (Maulvi), 122 Ahmed, Imtiaz, 240, 241 Ahmed, Javed, 240 Ahmed, Junaid, 246 Ahmed, Khurshid, 246 Ahmed, Manzoor, 440 Ahmed, Masood, 246 Ahmed, Mukhtar, 49 Ahmed, Mushtaq, 151 Ahmed, Naseer, 152,240, 436 Ahmed, Nazir, 240,419 Ahmed, Niaz, 143 Ahmed, Qazi Hussain, 444,446 Ahmed, Rafiq, 240 Ahmed, Riaz, 240 Ahmed, Sajjad, 51, 246 Ahmed, Salim, 440 Ahmed, Shabir, 247 Ahmed, Shamshed, 92 Ahmed, Showkat, 240 Ahmed, Suhail, 241 Ahmed, Syed Ishfaq, 239 Ahmed, Tanvir, 140 Ahmed, Zahoor, 241 Ahmed, Zubair, 143,153, 241 Ahsan-ul-Haq, Moulvi, 241 Aijaz-ul-Haq, 245 Air Force, 22 Akbar (Bhai), 402 Akbar, Sofi Mohammed, 175 Akbar Tigers, 220 Akhtar, Shams-ur-Rehman, 154, 241 Akram, Commander, 246 Akram, Mohammed, 51, 246,247 Akram, Maulana Ghulam Ahmed, 131 Akram, Wasim, 241 AlBurq, 147,160,161,219 Al Faran,'80,81, 82,118,138,139,141 Al Fatah, 155, 171, 172

Force, 202 Group, 22

Al Gabid, Gen. Hamid, 90


AI Haseef, Abdullah, 77 Al Inqalab Mujahideen, 221 Al Jehad Force, 193 Al Jehadia Police Commandos, 222 Al Mujahid Force, 170 Al Mustafa (Liberation Tiger Fighters),

• 221 Al Umar, Abu, 238 Al Umar Mujahideen, 161-163 Alarh, A., 243 Alam, Imtiaz, 246 Alam, Maqbool, 244 Alam, Masood, 37 Alamgir, Altaf, 153, 241 Albright, Madeline, 92

Madelein, 141 Alhaj, Mehmood Faid, 413 Ali, Aauzam, 160 Ali, Aforoz, 161 Ali, Haider, 429 Ali, Mozam, 241 Ali, Muzam, 237 'Ali, Nasir, 202, 242 Ali, Showkat, 242 Ali, Usman, 179, 242 All India Moslem League, 190 All Parties Hurriyat Conference, 23, 36,

51, 80, 67-106,129,188,191,193-195, 196, 220,445

All Parties Liberation Conference, 67 Allah Tigers, 163-165 AmarChand,57 Amar Nath Yatra, 137,230, 414 Amar Singh Club Stadium, 24,167 Ameer-e-Jammat, 128 Amin, Mohammed, 245 Amir, Ayaz, 464 Amnesty International, 43, 83 Anaan, Gen. Kofi, 200 Analytica, Oxford, 448 Andrabi, Asiya, 182,183,242 Andrabi, Jaleel Ahmed, 80, 84 Andrabi, Mohd. Altaf Khan, 243 Andrabi, Inayat Ullah, 134 Andrabi, Syed Inayatullah, 223,242 Anjum, Balakote, 231 Anjum, Hakim Naveed, 152,220,243 Anjuman Asqaf Jamia Masjid, 67 Anjunian-e-Tableeg-ul-Islam, 75 Anjuman-I-Ittehad-I-Musalmen, 25 Anjuman-I-Shari-I-Shian, 67 Annan, Kofi, 102 Ansar-ul-Haq, 202, 204

Ansar-ul-Mujahideen, 228 Ansan. Moulvi Abbas, 70, 73, 74, 87, 89,

90,91,95,100,176,243 Anti-Indian elements, 18, 20

Kashmiris, 21 Slogans, 24

Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act 1996,140

Antpnio, Silva, 171 Arab League, 43-Armed Forces, 25 Armed Moslem Mujahideen, 227 Army Committee, 464 Army Supply Dump at Khunrnoh, 29 Ars'had, Abu, 243 Arshad, Markaz-e-Dawat-ul Arya, D.K., 401 Asghar, 243 Ashsi, Ghulam Din, 56 Ashok Kumar, 40,89 Ashraf, Zulfiqar, 243 Ashraf, Mohammed, 117,245 Ashraf, Sehrai, Mohd., 123 Aslam, Mohammed, 116,245 Aslembeg, 446 Asmi, Firdous, 66,90,96,247 Assad, Tabbsum, 185 Aurangzeb, 57,107 Aurengzeb, Chaudhury, 243 Avebury, Lord Jric, 52 Awami Action Committee, 67 Awami League, 205, 212 Azad, Ghulam Nabi, 157,158, 244 Azam, Sikandar, 109,244 Azhar, Mohammed Masood, 137, 244,

400,403,413,433 Azhar, Showkat, 147, 244

'Azim, Mohammed, 50

Beg, Hilal Ahmed, 202, 253 Beg, Ishtiaq Ahmed, 262 Beg, Khursheed, 259 Beg, Mirza Dilshad, 140,441,418 Beg, Mohd. Salim, 140, 259 Beg, Syed Ahmed, 259 Bhagat,Arun,419 Bhagat, P.S. (Lt. Gen.), 455 Bhai, Abu Mohammed, 255 Bhai, Mohammed, 261 Bhai, Tariq, 255 Bharati, R.K., 235 Bhat, Abdul Ahad, 261,441 •

Index

Bhat, Abdul Ahmed, 159 Bhat, Abdul Ghani, 78, 87,92, 97,257 Bhat, Abdul Rashid, 255 Bhat, Aijaz Ahmed, 140, 254 Bhat, AliMotid., 129,262 Bhat, Bashir AKmed, 49,175, 226, 257 Bhat, Bilal Ahmed, 255 Bhat, CM., 402 Bhat, Farooq Ahmed, 179, 253 Bhat, Fayaz Ahmed, 159 Bhat, Ghulam Mohd., 80,84,130,131,132,

133 Bhat, Ghulam, Nabi, 31 Bhat Imitiaz Ahmed, 413 Bhat, Javed Ahmed, 138, 256 Bhat Khalid Ahmed, 253 Bhat, Utif, 90,114 Bhat, Mehraj-ud-Din, 260 Bhat, Mohd. Ashraf, 145 Bhat, Mohd. Hanif, 262 Bhat, Mohd. Maqbool, 253 Bhat, Mohd. Qasim, 260 Bhat, Mohd. Yasin, 162,252 Bhat, Mukhtar, 210,428 Bhat, Mushtaq Ahmed, 262 Bhat, Nisar Ahmed, 431 Bhat, Pervez Ahmed, 260 Bhat, Rafiq Ahmed, 187,262 Bhat, Shabir Ahmed, 259 Bhat, Shafeeq Ahmed, 260 Bhat, Shaheen, 259 Bhat, Sajjad Ahmed,' 257 Bhat, Shaukat Maqbool, 166, 254 Bhat, Tauseef, 120 Bhati, R.L., 210 Bhatt, Abdul Rashid, 425 Bhatt, Ghulam Mohammed, 256,260 Bhatt, Ghulam Nabi, 256 Bhatt, Lateef, 255 Bhatt, Mohd. Ashraf, 256 Bhatt, Mohd. ldris, 256 Bhatt, Mushtaq Ahmed, 260 Bhatt, Riyaz Ahmed, 420 Bhim Singh, 174 Bhupinder Singh, 136 Bhutto, Benazir, 33,38,90,105,138,460 Bhutto, Zulflqar Ali, 23,33,127 Bidar, Abdul Qayoom, 256 Bilal, Amjad, 136,257

. •Billu,Gujar,259 J3ilour, Abdul Qayoom, 154

; -"Bitta, Rafiq, 258

j

l

509

Bitter, reality is, 464-469 BJP, 111 ' Blair, Anthony, 60 Blair, Tony, 460 Bose, Subhash Chandra, 174 Brigade Headquarters in Kargil, 450 British Labour Party, 73 Brown, Hank, 193 Brown Hill, 449 BSF, 25,139,144,150,155, 158,188 Budshah chowk, 40,70 Bukhari, Ahmed, 437 Bhukhari, Mushtaq Ahmed Shah, 160,259 Bukhari, Syed Khalid Hussain, 259,413 Bukhari, Syed Massad, 257 Bukhari, Zia-ul-Haq, 226,258 Burhan-ul-Din Hijazi, 112 Burton, Dan, 80 Butt, Aashiq Hussain, 419 Butt, Bashir Ahmed, 256 Butt, Faiz Ahmed, 427 Butt, Farooq Ahmed, 48, 256 Butt, Javed Ahmed, 259 Butt, Maqbool, 21, 23, 25, 29, 46, 56, 57,

58,59,85,165,192 Butt, Mohammed Altaf, 37, 39 Butt, Mohammed Yasin, 144, 256 Butt, Mushtaq Ahmed, 429 Butt, Subedar Habibullah, 57

Carla Hills, 73 Cawthorn, W.J., 454 Cease Fire Line/18, 20, 21,55,451,454 Central Committee, 56 Central Industrial Security Force, 179 Central Military Command Council, 167 Chalku,Khurshid,27 Charar-1-Sharief, 95,138, 201 Chaturvedi, Bhuvnesh, 78 Chavan, S.B., 52 Cheema, Arshad, 442 Chewang, Thupstan, 79 Chilling Valley, 463 Chinar Petrol Pump, 29 Chinese War in 1962,464 Choudhury, Shabir, 50,60,102 Chowhan, Mohammed Yousaf, 142 Clinton, BUI, 54,141,458 Clinton-Sharif talks, 456 Congress Legislature Party, 25 Congress Party, 106, 113, 132, 140, 194, '

210

510

Constitution, 23,34, 91,122,126 Committee, 53 Order 1954, 25

Cook, Robin, 60

Daud, Mohd., 107, 219,266 Deewani; Abdul Hamid, 220 Delhi Agreement, 18 Delhi's Tiharjail, 25, 58 Democratic Liberation Party, 102,193 Dhinda, Bashir Ahmed, 424 Dhobi, Abdur Rashid, 176,268 Dhobi, Mohd. Shafi, 269,427,441 Dilawar, 162, 267 ' Dilshada, Advocate Miss, 31 Din, Master Hakim, 219,266 Diwani, Abdul Hamid, 266 Doraiswamy, K., 421 Drass, 449

v Drass-Kargil sector, 452,453 Dukhtaran-e-Millat

(Daughters of nation), 182 Durrani, Assad, 446

East Pakistan, 22 Ehlreich, Richard, 402,403 Election Commission, 75,209 Employees and Workers Confederation,

67 Enemy Ordinance Act, 31 European Union, 64 Exit Control List, 102

Fahad, Mehmood Alhaj, 269 Fahadullah, 269 Fai, Ghulam Nabi, 189 Faizal, 269 Faqtoo, Mohd. Qasim, 172,183,273 Faridi, Adil, 270 Farooq and Plebiscite Front, 20 Farooq, Omar (Moulvi), 67,76,81,83,91,

92, 93,94, 96, 97, 99,103,270,273 Farooq, Umar (Moulvi), 68,71,79,80,82,

86,87, 88, 89, 90 Farooqi, Abujahd, 274 Farooqi, Mufti Baha-ud-Din, 68, 73, 273 Farooqi, Mufti Mehraj-ud-Din, 272 Fayaz, Abdul Hameed, 273 ' Federal Actministration, 140 Fernandes, George, 98,132 Firdous, Abbas, 273 Firdous Ahmed Baba, Syed, 273 Firdous, Razia, 101

/ Kashmir Underground r-

Flavin, James (Irish Ambassador), 91 Foreign guests, 399 Forum Against Sellout, 223 Front Against Nationalists, 225

G-8,98,99 Gafoor, Abdul, 429 Gambari, Ibrahim, 80 Gamgeen, Ghulam Ahmed, 205 Ganai, Abdul Qayoom, 277 Ganai, Ghulam Hassan, 274 Ganai, Mohd. Yusuf, 177,178, 274 Ganai, Nasir Ahmed, 420 Gandhi, Indira, 59 Gandroo, Mohd. Iqbal, 26 Gandroo, Mohd. Iqbal, 40,170, 274 Garrison, Siachen, 463,464 Garrison, Leh, 449,450 Gauhar,Mohd.,41,274 Gayoor, Mohammed, 274 Ghall,B.B.,44,195 Ghani, Abdul, 41,103,129,143,145 Ghazali, Mohd. Abdullah, 158,282,444 Ghazi, Nasib-ud-Din, 114, 275 Ghazi, Rafi-ud-Din, 275 Ghaznavi, Hasma Khan, 277 Ghaznavi, Mansoor, 444 Ghias-ud-Din, Moulana, 282 Ghouri, Azam, 432 Ghouri, Saifullah, 277 Ghulam Mohammed, 286 Ghulam Nabiwar, 194 Ghulam Qadir Drabu, 95 Gilani, Azhar, 223, 277 Gilani, Col. Murtaza, 147 GUani, Nazeer Ahmed, 189 Gilani, Syed Ali Shah, 68, 70, 72, 74, 75,

80,81,82,83,84, 87, 88,89,90,91,92, 98, 101,103, 104, 106, 128, 129, 130, 133,184,195, 278

Gilgit Agency, 461 Gilkar, Mushtaq Ahmed, 429 GUI, H.S., 116 Gill, P.S., 402

Goga, Mushtaq Ahmed, 433 Gojal, Akhtar, Hussain, 282 Golden Temple, 25 Gori,.Shahabudin, 277 Government Employees Organisation,

232 ' Green Army, 220 Guerilla Warfare, 56

Index 511

Gujar, Din Mohammed, 438 Gujari, Mushtaq Ahmed, 282 Gujari, Nissar Ahmed, 282 Gujral, I.K., 93 Gul, Hamid (Lt. Gen.), 150,282,446 Gul, Mast, 114,115,138, 282,414 Gul, Shahbaz, 204 Gulzar, Ghulam Ahmed, 196, 277 Gupta, Chaman Lai, 111 Gupta, K.C., 167 Guvera, Che, 236

Habibullah, 286 Hagroo, Gulam Qadir, 292 Hagroo, Tariq Ahmed, 291 Haider, Bilal, 293 Haider, Farooq, 31, 38,41,43,48,53 Haider, Hilal, 211,213 Haider, Nissar, 286 Haider, Pervez, 153,286 Haider, Raja Zulfikar, 293 Haider Regiment, 226 Haj, 77 Hameed, S., 286 Hamid, Abdul, 286,288,292' Hamza, Ahmed, 444 Handoo, Ali Mohd., 31 Harvdoo, Fatooq Ahmed, 226,420 Handoo, Piyare Lai, 33 Handoo, P.N.; 40 Hansa, Abu, 293 Haq, Moulvi Abdul, 172,173, 289 Haq, Mculvi Ahsan-ul, 288 Haq, Mushirul, 129 Haq, Reyazul, 288 Haq, Shams-ul, 288 Hardev Singh, 136 Hari Singh, Maharaja, 190 Harkat-ul-Ansar, 63, 136, 138, 139, 141,

142,198 Harkat-ul-Jehad Islamia International,

178,179 Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, 179,180 Harocn, Saleem, 216 Haroon Rashid, Mohammed Shaffi, 112 Hartman, Arther, 73 Hassan-al-Bana, 288 Hassan-al-Turabi, 109 Hassan, Gnulam, 167. 292 Hassan, Manzoor, 115 Hassan. Mel\ar Karalla, 293 Hassan Mehmud-ul, 292

Hassan-ul-Alvi, 292 Hatash, Piarey, 235 Hazar, Nazir Ahmed, 291 Hazari, Mohd. Yusuf, 289 Hazratbal Relic, 21 Hazratbal Shrine, 20,47,48,51,68,70,86,

195,203 Hekmatyar, Gulbudin, 222 Hidayat Ullah, Mir, 56 Hijazi, Burhan-ud-Din, 114, 289 Hijazi, Haider, 48, 63, 65,189, 293 Hilal Ahmed War, 230 Hilal-e-Jurrat, 115 Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 199 Hi?b-i-Islami Kashmir, 222 Hizbullah (Party of God), 166-169 Hizb-ul-Momineen, 227 Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, 27,29,37,41,42,44,

47,48,54,69,74,107-121,130,136,138 Holy Qran, 126,191 Hbusego, Kim, 137,402 Hubbi, G.M., 101, 290 Human Rights Organisation, 60 Hura, Abdul Hamid, 221, 290 Hussain, Abid, 291 Hussain, Akhtar, 290 Hussain, Altaf M. Q. M. 460 Hussain, Arif, 290 Hussain, Ashiq, 292, 435 Hussain, Chaudhury Mushtaq, 96 Hussain, Fida, 187 Hussain, Kaka, 289 Hussain, Manzoor, 292 Hussain, Maqbool, 293 Hussain, Masood, 176 Hussain, Mirza Iftikhar, 426 Hussain, Mirza Nisar, 426 Hussain, Mohammed, 289 Hussain, Moulvi Munir, 187 Hussain, Mujahid, 289 Hussain, Mushahid, 446, 458 Hussain, Mussadiq, 289 Hussain, Shakeel, 111, 290 Hussain, Syed Khalid, 413 Hussain, Syed Munawar, 444 Hussain, Zakir, 51,292, 437 Hyat Khan, Umar, 221 ,-293 Hyder, Hilal, 205,208,290 Hyder, Sajjad, 291 Hyder Tabrez, 120 Hykal, Hashim, 222 Hykmatyar, Gulbudin, 27

Ibrahim, Dawood, 442

'* 512

Idd-uI-Zuha, 118 Idrees, Mohammed, 49 Ikhwan-ul-Musalmoon, 88,142-146,201-

206 Illahi. Feroz, 146, 294 Illahi, Gowhar, 155,202, 294 ' Illahi, Maqbool, 26, 31,109,113, 294 Ilyas, Ghazi Mohd., 294 Ilyas, Maulana, 298 Imam, Naib, 434 Imamia League, 228 Imam Khan, Mohammed, 107 Imtiaz, Brig., 41 Independence Day, 24,175 Indian Airlines Fokker

Friendship Plane is "Ganga", 22,58 Indian Army, 46,450,451,457

as "Army of Occupation", 24 . Indian Commission on Human Rights,

118 Indian Express, 108 Indian plane in 1971,23

•_. Indian Union, 19 ' ; Indira Gandhi International Airport, 102

Indira-Abdullah Accord, 174 -Sheikh Accord, 22,23,125

, Indus Valley, 448 Inqalabi, Azam, 31,33,134,172,175,177,

196, 298 Inqalabi, Umar, 298 International Commission on Human

Rights, 43 International Kashmir Committee, 65 International Organisations, 43 International Red Cross Society, 43 Iqbal, Javed, 202, 297 Iqbal, Mohammed, 298 Iqbal, Park, 100 Iqbal Park Coordination Committee, 227 Iqbal, Syed Asif, 144 Iqbal, Zafar, 150 Irfan, Mohammed, 41,43,293,297 Irfan-ul-Hassan,297 Irfan, Jahir, 297 Irshad, Gen., 297 Ishar, Javed, 294

'. Islahi, Abdul Rashid, 113, 297 4 Islam ka Fauji R3Zoo, 221

(Armed Wing of Islam) Islam, Manzoor-ul-, 295 Islam-Mushtaq-ul-, 295 Islam, Nasar-ul-, 294

< Islam, Saif-ul-, 296

Kashmir Underground

Islam, Shahid-uk 296 Islam, Tajamul, 134 Islam, Tanveer-ul-, 297 Islamabad, 54,105,141,142 Islami Front, 426 Islami Harkat-ul-Momineen, 230 Islami Inqalab Force, 222

(known as Front) Islami Inqalabi Mahaz, 147 Islami Jamit-e-Tulba, 134,135 Islami Jhamoori Ithehaad, 44 Islamic Blood Bank, 182 Islamic Jehad, 150 Islamic Resistance Forum, 220 Islamic Revolution. 130

in Iran, 24 Islamic Students League, 25, 26, 38, 69,

151-152,227 • Islamic Study Circle, 25 Islamisation, 24, 25, 26 Ismail, Mohammed, 177,297 Itehad-ul-Musalmeen, 67 Ittoo, Wali Mohammed, 114

J&K, 18 Awami League, 206-211 Awami Tehrik, 216 Democratic Freedom Party, 196, 197, 201 Government, 19 Ikhwan, 211-215 Islamic Millat, 229, 231 Islamic Resistance Force, 230 Islamic Voice, 218, 219 Legislative Assembly, 23 Liberation Council, 176 National Liberation Front, 18, 21, 24, 31, 32,37-66, 53, 86,96,165,166

J&K Liberation Front, set up 10 Hit squades, 39

J&K People's Conference, 194-196 People's League, 191 People's Political Front, 196 Plebiscite Front on Aug 5,1955,19,23, 58-59 Realisitic Front, 230 Solidarity Front, 188 Tehreek-i-Wattan, 215

Jabbadi,Jaffar,302 Jaffar, Lateef, 302 Jaffar, Kashmiri, 302 Jagat, Gurbachan, 97,437 Jagmohan, 25, 37,39, 43, 396,419

Index 513

Jalalabad Province, 142 Jalaludin, Chaudhary, 211 Jama Masjid, 73,86,89,94,134,425,428,

434 Jamait-e-Hamdania, 67 Jamait-e-TuIba, 24 Jamait-I-Ahal-e-Hadees, 75 Jamait-I-Islami, 24, 25, 26, 63, 67, 68, 75,

107,109,119,122-133 Jamait-I-Tulba, 25 Jamait-ul-Mujahideen, 172-174 Jamal, Afghani, 302 Jamal-ud-Din, 304

Afghani, 303 Khan, 303 Sheikh, 413

Jameel-ul-Rehman, 303 Jamia Masjid, 81

Jammu Provincial Committee, 106 Jan Mohammed, 48 Jan Sangh, 19 JantaDaI,39,125 Javed Ahmed Mir, 88 Javed, Khalid, 303 ]avta Party, 194 Jawaharlal Nehru University, 44,419 Jehangir, Aadil, 303 Jensen, Ken, 80 Jeovissen, H.J., 91 Jindal, Abu, 138,303 Jinnah, M.A., 33,6% 190 Joseph, George, 108 Jubbar Hill, 463 Junaid, Master, 304 Junaid, Qazl 172,301

K&K International, 228 Kachroo, Abdul Samad, 3Q5 Kalwal, Noor Mohd., 26, 37, 39, 41, 45,

304 Kamal, Sheikh, 31 Kanth, Ashiq Hussain, 419 KapilDev,24 • Kapoor, Ajay Kumar, 40 Kar, Ghulam Rasul, 111; 113,224 Kargil, postscript, 443-469

Strategic importance of, 448-454 War, 443,452-458

Karim, Abdul, 305 Kashmir Army Force (K-2i, 226 Kashmir Bar Association, 67, 76 Kashmir Conspiracy Case (1957-64), 19,

20

Kashmir Freedom Front, 226 Movement, 220

Kashmir Guerilla Front, 225 Kashmir Independence Movement, 58 Kashnurlnternational Front, 96 Kashmir Jehad Cell, 231 Kashmir-Ladakh Highway, 447,456,458,

463 Kashmir Legislative Assembly, 23 Kashmir Liberation Council, 221 Kashmir Liberation Tiger, 169,170 Kashmir Moslem Conference, 58 Kashmir Police, 23 Kashmir Political Conference, 18 Kashmir Solidarity Day, 65 Kashmir University, 41, 42,93,143 Kashmir Valley, 18, 20, 22, 23, 25, 27, 29,

31,32,37,38,45,47,55,56, 58,70, 80, 91,95,105, 111, 114,127,143,147,151, 158,159,175,178,182,194, 204, 205, 216, 220, 230, 406, 415, 417, 418, 421, 422,423,437,439,452,463

Kashmir (Mohajirs), 53 Kashmir Mujahideen,

Where are the?, 443-448 Kashmiri Pandits, 25, 78, 84,170, 207 Kashmiri, Tariq, 177, 304 Kashmiris, 19,21,24 Kassana, Khalid, 318 Kataria, Mohammed Shafi, 176,321 K a t m a n d u Valley, 439 v Kaul, Mushtaq Ahmed, 323 Kaushal,R.K.,411 Kemal, Mustafa, 116 Kenno, Sajjad Ahmed, 145,146,304 Khalid, Abdul, 305 Khalid, Maulana

Fazal-ur-Rehman, 446 Khalid, SaifuUah, 121,142,305 Khalid, Yunus, 305 Khalil, Fazal-ur-Rehman, 153, 154, 306,

444 Khalistan Liberation Force, 230 Khan Amir, 323 Khan, Abdul Rashid, 306 Khan, Abdul Qayoom, 446 Khan, Akbar, 21 Khan, Ali Mohammed, 435 Khan, Altaf, 46,177 Khan, AmanuUah, 18, 21, 23, 31, 38, 41,

42,43-51,53,54,58,59, 61, 62, 64, 65, 96,102,129,165, 306

Khan, Asqhar AH, 435


Khan, Ayub, 57,435 Khan, Babbar Ali, 306 Khan, Badshah, 306, 320, 321,322, 410 Khan, Bahadur, 319 Khan, Bashir, 322 "^ Khan, Bitta, 162,306 Khan, Daler, 202 Khan, Daud, 230,315 Khan, Dinga, 320 Khan, Farooq, 305 Khan, Gazab, 319 Khan, Ghazi Mushtaq, 306 Khan, Ghulam Mohammed, 108,424 Khan, Ghulam Mohidin, 160,315 Khan, Idris, 162, 225, 315,317,320 Khan, Jabran, 316 Khan, Jaffar, 318 Khan, Javedlqbal, 315 Khan, Imran, 24 Khan, Imliaz, 144 Khan, Irfan Abdul Latif, 430 Khan, Izrahil, 324 Khan, Jawed Ali, 430 Khan, Liaqat Ali, 212,432 Khan, Manzoor Ahmed, 120 Khan, Masta, 324 Khan, Mehraj-ud-Din, 324 Khan, Mir Nissar Ahmed, 323 Khan, Mohammed Aslam, 430 Khan, Mohd.,AHaf, 324 Khan, Mohd. Sajid Ali, 323 Khan, Mohd. Yakub, 49,316 Khan, Mukhtar, 318 Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, 158,316,321 Khan, Raja Muzaffar, 31,48 Khan, Nayeem, 26, 70, 88,101,192,194,

316 Khan, Nissar Ahmed, 167,319,426 Khan,Noor,40,316 Khan, Riaz Ahmed, 162, 316 Khan, Rustam, 324 Khan, Sajjad, 323 Khan, Saleem, 143 Khan, Samad, 155, 202, 318 Khan, Sardar Qayoom, 47,171 Khan, Sardar Aseef Ali, 77 Khan, Sardar Kader, 48 Khan, Shahbaaz. 322 Khan, Shah", 320 Khan. Shahnaz, 144 Khan, Shanno, 321,429 Khan, Shcr, 37,39, 202,318,319 Khan, Subedar KaJa, 57

Khan, Tariq, 319 Khan, UmarHyat, 318 Khan, Wafadar, 323 Khan, Yawar, 49,318 Khan, Yousaf, 323 Khan, Yunus, 318 Khan, Zafar, 60 Khan, Zuber, 435 Khana, Musa, 319 Khan-i-Khanan, Abdul Rahim, 243 Khanna,H.M., 105 Khateeb, Nadeem, Ahmed, 322 Khazir Mohammed, 315 Khawja,N.A.G.,52 Khera, H.L., 41,129,143 Khewar, Riaz, 100 Khuda Bakhsh, 323 Khurshid, 324 Killey, Mehmood, 426 Kirmani, Firdaus, 120 Kishtwari, Papa, 215, 216,315 Kohistani, Javed, 115,319 Koirala, Girija Prasad, 441 Koul, Lasa, 40 Krishan Pal, 214,215 Kuchai, Suhail, 319 Kuku Parray, 77,201, 202, 205, 206, 208,

210,211,323 Kumbay, Abdur Rashid, 205 Kundji, Arshid Ahmed, 324

Laden, Osmana Bin, 139, 406, 443 Lahore Airport, 22 Lahore Declaration, 105 Lahore High Court, 58 Lakhvi, Zaki-ur-Rehman, 444 Lai Chowk, 19,31, 70,87 Lala, Mohd. Ayub, 330 Lalded Government Hospital, 39 Lanford,Gib,84 Langrayal, Nassarullah Manzoor, 178,

3 2 5 ' Lashkar-e-Hyder, 229 Lashkar-e-Toiba, 146^151 Lashkar-I-Adam, 224 Lashkar-i-Ayubi, 219 Lashkar-1-Farooqi, 229 Lavey, Abdus Salam, 435 Leghari, Farooq, 77 Legislative Assembly, 26 Leh Autonomous Hill Council, 74 Liberation Cell, 41 Liberation of Kashmir, 38

Index " 515

Line of Control, 72, 448 There no?, 454-456

Lodhi, Azhar, 222 Lodhi, Hilal, 84,160,161, 325 Lohar, Subhan, 330 LokSabha,23,98,132 Lone, Abdul Ghani, 68, 70,72,74,81,82,

83,86,87,88,89,91,93,95,97,98,102, 125,160,184,194,195, 325, 401, 423, 424

Lone, Abdul Rashid, 329 Lone, Ashfaq, 328,330 Lone, Ashfaq Hussain, 107,328,419 Lone, Bashir Ahmed; 330 Lone, Ghulam Hassan, 329 Lone, Ghulam Mohidin, 84 Lone, Ghulam Rasul, 117, 329 Lone, Hilal Ahmed, 330 Lone, Manzoor Ahmed, 113,328 Lone, Mushtaq Ahmed, 329,415 Lone, Nazir Ahmed, 330 Lone, Nissar Ahmed, 179,328 Lone, Riyaz Ahmed, 50,329 Loosdrecht, B. Van, 91 LTTE, 141

Mackay, David, 402 Madine University, 128 Madni, Moulana Asad, 434 Madrassas, 122,123,130 Magrey, Abdul Majeed, 337 Magrey, Nazir Ahmed, 144,339 Magrey, Riyaz Ahmed, 344 Mahaaz-e-Islami, 223 Mahaz-I-Azadi, 23,25,174,175 Mahajan, Vikrant, 389 Majid, Abdul, 339,344 Majlis-I-Namayaindgaan, 132 Malik, Yasin, 88,91,97,99,100,101,103,

104,151,170,339,396 Manan, Abdul, 168,172, 330 Mangla Dam, 58 Mangloo, Abdul Salam, 156, 344 Manhas, Dawood, 139,337 Manhas, Ejaz Husain, 442 Manhas, Raja Khalid, 112,153,330,331 Manzoor Ahmed Shah,

Commander, 226 Maqbool, Alam, 112 Maqboal, Shahid, 339 Marka/-I-Dawat Arshad, 146 Marpo La. 447

Martyrs Day, 85,101,214 Masood, Alam, 51,331 Masood, Mamoon, 331 Masood, Yasin Salim, 402 Matta, Afzal Ahmed, 336 Meeraj, Syed Muzaffar, 144 Mehmood, Wahid, 413 Mehmood,Tahir,331 Mehraj-ud-Din, 144,337 Mhatre, Ravindra, 59 MI-17 Helicopter, 454 MIG-21,454 MIG-27,254 Militancy related incidents in 1988 &

1989, 28 Militant Outfits, 188 Militant units (Six), 116 Military Command Council, 112,157 Mir, Abdul Ahmed, 332 Mir, Assdullah, 338 Mir, Basharat Ahmed, 335 Mir, Bashir Ahmed, 338 Mir, Ghulam Ahmed, 345 Mir, Ghulam Mohammed, 435 Mir, Ghulam Rasul, 174, 337 Mir, Gowhar Amin, 431 Mir, Hilal Ahmed, 337, 339 Mir, Inayat, 53

• Mir, Javed Ahmed, 26, 38, 40,44, 45, 47,

59, 91,95,100,101,103,151, 333 Mir, Manzoor Ahmed, 143, 332 Mir, Mohd. Altaf, 332 Mir, Mohd. Irail, 332 Mir, Mohd. Muzaffar, 435 Mir, Mohd. Qasim, 332 Mir, Mohammed Ramzan, 156,332 ' Mir, Mohd. Yusuf, 335 Mir, Mushtaq Ahmed, 421 Mir, Nissar Ahmed, 333,335 Mir, Niyazi, 332 Mir, Qasim, 436 Mir, Sajjad, 333 Mir,Tahir,144,146,333 Miraj, Syed Muzzafar, 335 Mirwaij, Moulvi Mohd., 20 Mirza, Afzal Beg, 19 Mirza, Muzaffar, 337,338 Misgar, Abdur Rashid, 209, 212 Misgar, Mohd. Shaffi, 49, 335 Moghul Garden, 155 Moghlu, Altaf Ahmed, 115, 337 Mohammed, Ali, 115, 335 Mohammed Bin Qasim, 336


Mohammed, Ishtiaq, 205 Mohammed, Noor, 335,337 Mohammed Younus, 50 Moharrum, 74 Mohidin, Ghulam, 336,434 Moslem Action Committee, 78 Moslem Auqaf Trust, 108 Moslem Conference, 190,191 Moslem Janbaz Force, 85,152-156,161 Moslem Khawateen Markaz

. (Moslem Women Centre), 185 Moslem League, 104 Moslem Liberation Front 33 Moslem Mujahideen, 156-158 Moslem United Front, 126 Mota, Ahmed Azad, 344 Mota,Latif,441 Mouser, German, 435 Mudasir, Abdul, 343 Mufti; Bashir-ud-Din, 345 Mufti, Mehbooba, 106 Mugal, Abdul, Hafiz, 427 Mujahid Force, 20 Mujahideen-e-Albadr, 221 Mujahideen-I-Islam, 223 Mujahideen-Fil-Islam, 225 Mujib-ur-Rehman, Sheikh, 444 Mukesh Kumar, 425 Mukhtar, Umar, 202, 336 Mukund Hill, 448 Munshi, Javed Ahmed, 344 Murtaza, Syed Khalid, 337,344 Musharaf, Pervez, 456 Mushir-ul-Haq, 41,143,145,146 Mushki Valley, 449,462 Mushtaq-ul-Islam, 337 Muslim Auqaf Trust, 75,95 Muslim United Front, 26,38 Musa, Gen., 336 Mustafa, Bilal, 344 Mustafa, Nizam,-I-, 122 Mut, Bashir Ahmed, 419 Mutahida Quami Party, 54 Muteeb, Abdul, 139 Muzaffar, Raja, 47,53,63, 344 Muzaffarabad Declaration, 61, 62 Muzamil Mir Mohd., 52

Nabi, Hakim Ghulam, 128,129,131,345 Nadvi, Sharief-ud-Din, 187 Nsikoo, Ghuiam Mchsmmed, 19&M$ Najar, Abdur Rashid, 159,441,427 Najar, Ghulam Mohidin, 347 Najaar, Ghulam Qadir, 345

NAM, 43, 82 Narayanan, K.R., 93 Nasar, Mohd. Abu, 402 Naseem, Abdul Ghani, 187, 346 Nasir, Abdullah, 347 Nasir, Abrar, 345 Nasir, Hamid, 346 Nasir, Javed, 136 Nasir-ul-Islam, 345 Nasreen, Nahida, 182,183,346 Nassarullah Khan Nawabzada, 77 Nassarullah, Mir, 146 National Conference. 18. 19. 20. 32. 95.

100,104,126,158,194, 200, 210, 211, 213, 214, 215

National Press Club (Washington), 42 National Security Council, 469 National Security Organisation, 120 Nayeem Khan, 106 Nayeem-ul-Haq, 346 Nazam-us-Saqib, 345 Nazar, Javed Ahmed, 428 Nazar, Abdul Rasheed, 347 Nazar, Shaheen, 429 Nazim-e-Alla, 134 Nazim-ud-Din, 31 Nehrui Jawaharlal, 18 New Delhi, 22 New York Times, 80 NGOs, 87, 202 Nilakanth Ganjoo, 29, 32, 58 Nisar Ahmed Mir, 112 Nissar, Qazi, 25

Niyazi, Mir, 202, 204, 206,207, 209 Nizam-e-Mustafa, 24, 26,128 NLIBattalians,461,462 Noor-ud-Din, Sheikh, 114,138,347 Noor-ul-Amin, 347 Noor-ul-Haq, 163 Noor-ul-Hassan, 160, 346 Nuss, Bela Joseph, 433

OIC, 64, 78,82, 93 One-Day Cricket Match, 175 Operation Balakote, 177,178 Operation Gibraltar, 20 Operation Tiger, 109 Operation Top Ten, 113 OAU, 43, 64

P-5, 9» Paddar Fayaz Ahmed, 429 Padmanabhan, S., 402, 405, 412

Index 517'

Pahahvan, Samander, 353 Pakistan, 18

Attack on J&K on Dec., 3,1971,22 Army, 21, 84, 456 Embassy, 140,441 High Commission, 22, 77 • Independence Day, 115,175,162,163 Occupied Kashmir, 20 Newspaper "Neios", 139 War, was it not a?, 45M62

Pakistan's Greater Karakoram Plan, 462-464 ISI, 161,212, 399,400,401,447

"People's Party, 105 Palestine Liberation Organisation, 57, 105

Pan-Islamism, 122 Parray, Bashir Ahmed, 352 Parray, Ikhwan Supremo, 205 Parray, Manzoor Ahmed, 205,352 Parray, Mastdr Ghulam Mohammed, 353 Parray, Mohammed Yusuf, 201,210, 348 Parmoo, Ghulam Nabi, 352 Partridge, Rhys Curget, 433 Pasadaran-I-Inqalab-e-Islami, 224

(Guardians of the Islamic Revolution) Pathan, Rasheed, 352 Pattan, Abdul Rehman, 202 Pehloo, Ghulam Ahmed, 205, 352 People's Army, 444 People's Conference, 25, 67, 75

Constituents of, 231, 232 People's League, 25, 67 People's War Group, 89 Permanent Resident Certificates, 108 Pervez, Anwar, 347 Peshawar, 21 Pilot, Rajesh, 132,133 Pir Panjal Liberation Tigers, 227 Plebiscite Front in Kashmir, 22 POK Administration, 46, 64 POK Plebiscite Front Executive Commit

tee Meeting, 55 Police Party, 57 Political Conference, 67 Popular International Organisation, 109 Praja Parishad, 19 Pratinidhi Sabha, 442 Prem Nath, Pt , 32 Press Conference, 24,134,141 Prisoners of War, 44 Protest March, 201

Public Safety Ordinance, Nov. 6,1977,23 Pulmonery Odema, 452 Punjabi Musalmans, 147 Punju, Amir, 352 Puri, Mohinder, 211

Quereshi, Rashid, 458 Quereshi, Shaffi, 225 Quereshi, Wajahat Bashir, 41, 45,50,354 Quit Kashmir, 87

Raan of Kulch in Gujarat, 20 Rabita-al-Alam-al-Islami, 43 Raft', Mohammed, 50,360 Rafi-ud-din, Ghazi, 197 Rafiq, Mohammed, 41,360 Rafiqi, Iram Qaiyum, 395 Rafiqui, Mushtaq Hussain, 361 Rahu, Imran, 84,161, 361 Raina, Avtar Kishan, 40 Rangret-sub-Jail, 93 Rao, K.V. Krishna, 89 Raphel, Robin, 73 Rasheed-ul-Hassan, 52 Rashid, Abdul, 361, 362, 363 Rashid, Ibn, 361 Rashid, Sheikh Abdul, 95, 364 Rashtriya Prajatantra Party, 441 Rasul, Ghulam, 360 Rasul, Riyaz, 362 Rasul, Sheikh Ghulam, 421 Basel, Sy*& GVaiteir., 3.61

Rathod, Ghulam Mohammed, 188,362 Rathbr, Abdul Hameed, 209 Rathor, Abdul Salam, 362 Rathor, Abdur Rashid, 363 Rathor, Khurshid Ahmed, 205, 363 Rathor, Mushtaq Ahmed, 434 Rathor, Nisar Ahmed, 421 Rathor, Shabir Ahmed, 362 Rathore, Abdul Nasir Khan, 364, 413 Rathore, Zafar Iqbal, 22 Rauf, Abdul, 112,360,361 RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), 119,

468 Raza, Basharat, 49,50, 51,360 Razdan, V.K., 40 Red Cross Committee Jammu, 48 Rehmani, Abu Obaid, 144 Rehmani, Mohd. Farooq, 191, 364 Remotely Controlled Vehicles, 453 Reshi, Ghulam Hasan, 210 Resolution of UNCIP of 1948,19

518 • Kashmir Underground

Ridout, Paul Benjamin, 433 Rigoo, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din, 363 • Rinchen, Major, 450 Rishi, Gulam Mohidin, 362 Rishi, Khurshid Ahmed, 363 Riyaz, Rasul, 111, 114,116,120 Rongha, Mazir Ahmed, 68 Rohrabacker, Dana, 84 Rub, Syed Abdur, 362 Rubin, James, 64

Saad-ud-Din, 122 SAARC, 43, 77 Saboor, Aslam, 442 Sadai-i-Kashmir, 216 Sadiq, Ghulam Mohd., 20,123,124 Saeed, Hafiz Mohd., 150,446 Sagar, AH Mohammed, 131 Sagar, Mehmood, 26 Sagar, Mohammed Ahmed, 197 Sahrai, Ashraf, 365 Saidpuri,S.M.,210 Saifullah,32 Sailani, Ghulam Qadir, 367 Salaludin, Syed, 402,415 Salahudin, Syed, 445,446 Saleem,Mohd.,41,364,365 Saleh, Siddique, 369 Salim,MirArshad,419 Samavi, Hafiz Anwar, 376 Sampier, Hernando, 454 Sapru, Sameer, 34 Saraf, Ashraf, 41, 42, 48,112,128,367 Sarfaraz, Masood, 377 Save Kashmir Movement, 205 SaWhney, Praneet, 40 Saxena,G.C.,52,403,411 Sayed, Irfan, 148,376 Sayeed, Mufti Mohammed, 39,143,198 Sayeed, Rubaiya, 37,39,139,143 Security Forces, 43,70,113,130,140 Seera, Alpha, 377 Sehri, Dillawar, 365 Sepoy-e-Mohammed, 231 Shaffi, Mohd., 168,374 Shafiq, Shabnam, 216 Shafiq-ur-Rehman, 365 Shafqat-ul-Islam, 377 Shah, Abdul Roshid, 51, 371 Shah, Bilal Ahmed, 163 Shah, Commander Manzoor, 371 Shah. Fayaz. 370, 440 ' Shah. CM. , 25,128. 194, 369

Shah, Javed Ahmed, 207,367, 371 -Shah, Javed.Hussain, 209, 211 Shah, Lateef, 376 Shah, Mohd.'Abdullah, 374 Shah, Mohd. Shafi, 419 Shah, Mohd. Yusuf, 367, 374 Shah, Mushtaq Ahmed, 49, 369,372, 430 . Shah, Nazir Ahmed, 155, 371 Shah, Sonaullah, 176,376 Shahnaz, Alam, 371 Shah, Shabir Ahmed, 72, 75, 78. 84, 87,

88, 89,90, 96,153,184,192, 196, 377 Shah, Syed Irfan Ahmed, 371 , Shah, Syed Maqbool, 426" Shah, Syed Mirak, 20 -Shaheen, Ghulam Nabi, 101,119, • Shaheen, S.S., 52 Shahid-ul-Islam, 68 Shakeen, Abu, 373 Shalla, Bashir Ahmed, 428 Shalla, Javed Ahmed, 144,372 Shams-ud-Din, Kh., 19, 20,187 Shams-ul-Haq, 48,112,372 • Shams-ur-Rehman, 372 Sharif - Clinton agreement, 445

Washington Accord of July 4, 1999, 443

Sharif, Nawaz, 44, 54,105, 444, 446, 456, 457, 458, 468

Sharif, Omar, 219 Sharma, D.R., 106 Sheikh, Abdui Hamid, 37, 3S, 39, 4G, 43,

45,48,151,374 Sheikh, Abdul Majid, 435 Sheikh, Ghulam Hussain, 434 Sheikh Ghulam Mohd., 375 Sheikh Ghulam Mohidin, 422 Sheikh, Ghulam Nabi, 426 Sheikh, Ghulam Rasul, 130,165 Sheikh, Mehraj-ud-Din, 50,375 Sheikh, Mohammed, 374 Sheikh, Mohammed Abdullah, 18 Sheikh, Mohammed Amin, 424 Sheikh, Mohammed Ramzan, 423 Sheikh, Mohammed Yasin, 435 Sheikh, Nazir Ahmed, 220, 375 Sheikh, Sadiq, 162 Sheikh, Saleem, 374 Sheikh, Wahid, 112,374 Sheikh, Zulfqar, 375 -Sher, Capt. Kamal, 457 Sher Khan, 369 Sheroo, Manzoor Ahmed, 421

Index 519

Shiran, Abbas, 202,374 Shirazi, Jamshed, 201,202 Shiv Sena, 43 Shoora e-Jehad, 36,186,187 ( >

Shoora-I-Jehad Council, 142 ' • • Showkat, Ghazi, 175 - - -Shnnagesh, S M (Lt Gen ), 454 -Shyok Valley, 448,449,450,451,455,457, '

463 _ ' Siddiqui, Shabir Ahmed, 86 Sidiqui, Bilal Ahmed, 26, 31,157 Sidiqui, Kaleem, 167,371 Siddiqi/Farooq Ahmed, 370 Siddiqi, Naeem,J370

rBiddiqui,Shabirr49-51, bB,3?D Sikander Azam, 365

nSimla Agreement, 22,46,47,84,105,455,

456 Singh, Karan, 73" Singh, S P , 163 Singh, Sardar Swaran, 455 Sinha, Pankaj Kumar, 162 Sinha,SK,451 Sofi, Abdul Majid, 216 Soft, Ghulam, Mohd., 371 Son, Maqbool, 194 Son, Manzoor Ahmed, 371 Sofi, Mitha, 375

Sofi, Mohd Ramzan, 371, 375,376 Sofi, Mukhtar Ahmed, 101

Soz,Nahida,44,143,146 Snnagar, 18

Central Jail, 23,27 Students Liberation Front, 44,142, 143,

183 Sub-Continent, 197 Subrahmanyam, K, 464 Sufi, Ghulam Mohammed, 112 Sufi, Zahid Ahmed, 419 Sulaiman, Abu, 376 Sultan, Umar, 376 Supreme Revolut ionary Command

Council, 49 Sum Valley, 463 Syed Masoodi, Maulana Mohd., 20 Syed, Mohd Ashfaq Anwar, 222,367 Syed Saialudin, 108,119, 120, 121,188,

365 Syed, Saialudin, 112,114,116 Syed, Shabir Ahmed Shah, 196, 201 Syudpun, Ghulam Mohammed, 215,216

Tabedo Hill, 450 . Tableeq-ul-Islam, Anjuman, 67 TADA, 146,167, 169,192 Talur, Abu, 385 Tahir, Afzal, 102 Taunoor, Malik"Mohd., 161 Tajamul-I-Islam, Sheikh, 24 384 Tajamul-Islam, Syed, 160 Talbott, Strobe, 73 Tantray, Farooq Ahmed, 386 Tantray, Mohd Maqbool, 385 Taploo, Tikka Lai, 32 Tapoo, Tahir Shah, 442 Tarar, Rafiq, 184 Tan,^vidhci J\,DtiuYta,n,'3B5 Tanq, Abu, 385

Tanq, Maulana Azam, 138.197,386 Tashkent Agreement, 51,451, 454 Tayub, Maulana Abu, 136, 385 Tehreek Jehad Islamia, 224 Tehnk-e-Hurnyat-I-Kashmir, 166

(Movement for Freedom of Kashmir') Tehnk-e-Islamia, 223 Tehrik-ul-Jehad, 175,176 Tehnk-ul-Mujahideen, 159 Tehrik-ul-Musalmeen, 188, 224 Teh, Abdul Rashid, 422 Teh, Irs'had Ahmed, 385 Thakur, Ayub, 189 "The Nation" Pakistani newspaper, 46

Tiffins, Sarah, 91 Tiger Hill, 463 Tikoo, S K, 206,209 Timur, Malik Mohammed, 385 Tipu, Col, 385 Toofani, Masood, 386 Tramboo, Abdul Rouf, 385 Tramboo, Gulzar Ahmed, 385

' Tnbhuvan Airport, 441 TULA Party, 26 Turki, Hamid, 385 Turabi, Abdul Rashid, 444

Ubaid,Abu,139,386 Umar, Qasim, 386 Umat-I-Islami, 25, 67 UN, 47, 64, 74, 82, 83, 90, 102, 103, 190,

200 Charter, 194 Charter of Human Rights and Indian and State Constitution, 206 Commission for India and I'akistaii. 454


General Assembly, 59,, 80,103,105 Headquarters, 42 Human Rights Commission, 87, 168, 401 Military Observers Headquarters) 69, 103,194, Resolution on Kashmir, 63,79,154,380 Security Council, 98,100,102 Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities, 80

UNCA resolutions, 44 ' United Jehad Council, 226,445,446' • United Kingdom, 23 ;'. United Liberation Front, 58 Universal Declaration of Human Rights,

104 Unlawful Activities Act, 31, 52

.Urdu Daily, 53 Urdu Daily Jang, 38 US Administration, 63,80,92,98,136,141

Congressional Declaration, 74 Institute of Peace, 80

Usman, Majid, 386

Vajpayee, A.B., 98,132 Vakil, Mohammed Shabab, 172

Wahid, Abdul, 410 Wakhloo, Khemlatn, 167 Wakhloo, O.N., 167

. Wakoon,Shafat,386 Wangroo, Zahid Ali, 387 Wani, Abdul Ahad, 216 Wani, Abdul Majid, 387 Wani, Ahmed Majid, 170 Wani, Ashfaq Majid, 26,38, 47,151, 387 Wani, Aziz Ahmed, 421 Wani, Bashir Ahmed, 168,387 Wani, Farooq Ahmed, 49,387,388,391 Wani, Ghulam Qadir, 44,60,152, 388 Wani, Ghulam Rasul, 73,387 Warn, Hilal Ahmed, 391 Wani, Jan Mohammed, 389 Wani, Javed Ahmed, 388 Wani, Mohd. Afzal, 387 Wani, Mohd. Ramzan, 391 Wani, Mohd. Sayed, 388 Wani, Mohd. Yusuf, 154, 389 Wani, Mumtaz Ahmed, 87 Wani, Naseer Ahmed, 389 Wani, Nazir Ahmed, 172 Wani, Rafiq, 389

Wani, Saleem, 389 Wani, Shams-ud-Din, 390. : ;

Wani, Tariq Ahmed, 3 9 0 - -' Wani, Wali Mohammed, 216 War 1971,455 Warikoo, Sudesh, 31 Waseem, Umar, 387,389 Washington, Agreement, 446

Declaration, 96,445-456 WataIi,AliMohd.,28,29 Waza, Abdul Ahad, 31,389 West Indies, 24 , West Pakistan, 56 Wings, 217, 218 Wisner, Frank, US Ambassador, 84, 96

228,493 Wolpert, Stanley, 33 Women organisations, 180-186 World Human Rights Day, 201 WorldJslamic Kashmir Freedom

Movement, 189' World Islamic League, 77 World Moslem Congress, 43 Wular Lake, 216 . Wullar Barrage, 200

Yalgar-1-Ali, Al Mada'd, 222 Yatoo, Mohd!'Sharief, 391 Yawar, Salman, 50, 391 Yousuf-al-Umai/134 Youth National Conference, 119 Yunus Khan, Commander, 224 Yusuf, Mehmopd, 391

Zaffar-ul-Islam, 392 Zahageer, Ghulam.Rasul, 172 Zain-ul-Abdin, 393 Zaman Ali, Mohammed, 49 Zamaan, Umar, 393 Zarb-I-Haq, 224 Zargar, Bilal Ahmed, 425 Zargar, Iqbal, 162, 392 Zargar, Javed Ahmed, 37, 392 Zargar, Mohd. Salim, 392 Zargar, Mushtaq Ahmed, 26,161,392,43; Zargar, Shabir Ahmed, 156, 393 Zargar, Tariq Ahmed, 394 Zia-ul-Haq, Gen., 23, 24, 38 Zinni, US Gen., 458 ' , Zoji La, 447, 448,452,462,465, 466 Zuba'ir.sAbu, 393,-394 Zucconi, Gastano,.9l Zulfiqar Ashraf, 112

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