Introduction
In connection with the murder of Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq, two terrorists who had been on the run for more than 30 years have been captured by the Jammu and Kashmir Police’s Special Investigation Agency (SIA). The news was delivered by a police officer at a press conference.
Details of the Arrest
The Special DG, CID, RR Swain revealed that the case regarding Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq’s killing on May 21, 1990, had been registered at Nigeen police station. Five terrorists were identified as being involved in the crime: Abdullah Bangroo, Rehman Shigan, Ayub Dar, Javaid Bhat, and Zahoor Bhat.
Fate of the Other Terrorists
While Abdullah Bangroo and Rehman Shigan were killed in encounters with security forces and couldn’t face trial, Ayub Dar had been convicted and was serving a life sentence in Srinagar central jail. Javaid Bhat and Zahoor Bhat had been absconding for years, but they were finally apprehended in a recent operation by the SIA of J&K Police.
Hidden for Decades
After murdering Mirwaiz Farooq, the two terrorists had gone into hiding, residing in various places like Nepal and Pakistan before discreetly returning to Kashmir a few years ago. They managed to evade law enforcement agencies by frequently changing addresses and residences.
Upcoming Trial in Delhi
The arrested individuals, Javaid Ahmad Bhat and Zahoor Ahmad Bhat, will now face trial in a designated TADA court in Delhi. The trial had already concluded for one of the five accused, Ayub Dar, who had been convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment. The other two absconding terrorists involved in Mirwaiz’s killing, Abdullah Bangroo and Abdul Rehman Shigan, had been killed in encounters with security forces in the 1990s.
Background of the Murder: Terrorists from Hizbul Mujahideen murdered senior Kashmiri leader Mirwaiz Farooq on May 21, 1990. They labeled him a “peacenik” and a “Indian agent.”
Investigation and CBI Involvement
The case was registered at Police Station Nigeen, Srinagar, and later transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on June 11, 1990. After an extensive legal process, the designated TADA court convicted Ayub Dar in 2009. Ayub Dar appealed against his conviction, but the Division Bench of the Supreme Court upheld the verdict in 2010.
Conspiracy and Execution Mirwaiz Muhammad Farooq
The terrorists involved in the plot—Abdullah Bangroo, Javed Ahmed Bhat (alias Ajmal Khan), Mohd. Ayub Dar (alias Ishfaq), Abdul Rehman Shigan (alias Inayat), and Zahoor Ahmed (alias Bilal, alias Jana)—had received training in Pakistan before executing the assassination plan. On May 21, 1990, Zahoor Ahmed fired multiple rounds at Mirwaiz Farooq, while the others provided cover and support.
