Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 27: A court here in Jammu and Kashmir has issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against banned Hizbul Mujahideen chief Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salah-ud-din and three other key operatives in connection with a three-decade-old militancy case.
The warrants were secured by Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) in FIR registered at Police Station CIK under Sections 121, 121-A, 153-A and 153-B of the Ranbir Penal Code, read with Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Sections 2/3 of the Enemy Agents Ordinance.
The Court of Additional Sessions Judge TADA/POTA (designated under the NIA Act), Srinagar, issued NBWs against Salah-ud-din, Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan of Srigufwara, Anantnag; Sher Mohammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz of Malangam, Bandipora; and Nasir Yousuf Qadri of Habbakadal, Srinagar. Salah-ud-din is presently based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
Police said Salah-ud-din, a resident of Soibugh, Budgam, heads the United Jihad Council and is involved in multiple terror-related cases across the Valley.
Ghulam Nabi Khan is described by Police as the deputy supreme commander of the outfit and a handler involved in recruitment and coordination of militant activities. Sher Mohammad is a commander of the group allegedly involved in various militancy-related cases. Nasir Yousuf Qadri is accused of working for the outfit’s propaganda network and operating Kashmir Media Service to spread anti-India narratives.
Police said the case dates back to April 5, 1996, when they received information that Pakistan-based handlers were motivating Kashmiri youth to undergo arms training across the border to wage war against India. Investigators said evidence established the accused were involved in radicalisation, recruitment and facilitation of militant operations.
Despite sustained and continuous efforts by CIK to apprehend them, the accused have remained absconding and have deliberately evaded arrest.
The court observed that the allegations involve grave offences related to waging war against the state and held that custodial examination of the accused is necessary for effective investigation. It directed the Station House Officer/ Investigating Officer of Police Station CIK to execute the warrants and produce the accused before the court.
Officials said the move reflects CIK’s continued efforts to pursue long-pending militancy cases and bring absconding accused to justice.
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