30-year-old Terror Case: Warrants against Syed Salahuddin, 3 operatives of banned outfit

A sessions court in Srinagar has issued non-bailable warrants against four alleged terrorist commanders, including the self-styled chief of the banned outfit Hizbul Mujahideen , Mohammad Yousuf Shah alias Syed Salahuddin , in connection with a 30-year-old terror case , officials said on Friday.

Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK) said the warrants were issued by the court of the additional sessions judge, Srinagar designated as a special judge under the NIA Act after hearing the prosecution and examining the case records.

According to officials, Salahuddin, who is currently based across the Line of Control, has been identified as a key terror operator and instigator. He is also the chief of the so-called United Jihad Council and is accused in several terror-related FIRs registered across different police stations in the Kashmir Valley.

The other accused named in the warrants are Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan , Sher Mohammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz , and Nasir Yousuf Qadri . Officials said Qadri is allegedly involved in running a terror propaganda and narrative machinery and is linked to Kashmir Media Service (KMS), which disseminates anti-India content and issues threats against communities and individuals.

The case dates back to April 5, 1996 , when intelligence inputs suggested that Pakistan-based handlers and agencies were motivating and facilitating Kashmiri youth to undergo militant training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with the objective of waging war against India.

During the investigation, authorities said substantial evidence was collected establishing the prima facie involvement of the accused in unlawful and anti-national activities, including radicalisation, recruitment and facilitation of terrorist operations linked to Hizbul Mujahideen.

Despite sustained efforts by Counter Intelligence Kashmir to apprehend them over the years, the accused have remained absconding, officials added.