Moulana Showkat Ahmad Shah, president of the Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith, has become another victim whose name would perhaps appear in the list of people killed by ‘unidentified’ persons. Kashmir, in last two decades of conflict has witnessed deaths of thousands of people who fell to the these ‘unidentified killers'. Although, blames are often exchanged between pro and anti-government groups for such killings. However killers always remain a mystery for people of Kashmir. From commoners to famous, these ‘unidentified' persons have spared none in Kashmir. We revisit some of the prominent separatist leaders and ideologues killed by ‘unidentified' persons in last two decades of conflict.
Soon after the armed conflict started in Kashmir valley, assassinations of prominent people began, the first victim of these ‘unidentified' killers was Chairman of the Awami Action Committee, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq. On May 1990 unidentified gunmen barged into his Nageen residence and shot him dead.
No group claimed responsibility. It is widely believed Farooq was killed by militants associated with pro-Pakistan group.
Hriday Nath Wanchoo, a Kashmir Pandit and a noted human rights activist was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on December 5, 1992. Wanchoo, who was a retired civil servant and trade unionist, had documented and filed writ petitions for hundreds of custodial deaths in courts.
No group claimed responsibility. The government accused militant group Jamiat-ul Mujahidin. Human rights activists, who investigated the case, have alleged that the militants of that group were released from jail on condition that they kill Wanchoo.
Amnesty International in its report stated that Wanchoo may have been extra-judicially executed because he was one of the most vocal human rights activists in Kashmir.
Dr Abdul Ahad Guru renowned Kashmiri cardiologist and a founder of a Medical College was assassinated in Srinagar on March 31, 1993. Dr Guru was one of the prominent faces of pro-freedom camp during early 90’s. He was the member of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).
No group claimed responsibility but it is widely believed a Hizbul Mujahideenn militant Zulqarnain carried out the murder. It is said that Zulqarnain, who was in police custody agreed to kill Guru in exchange for his release. After Guru was assassinated, to ensure that the killing remained secret, Zulqarnain was killed shortly during an encounter.
Prof Ahad Wani, a JKLF ideologue was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on December 31, 1993 from Kashmir University’s Department of Law and hours later his bullet-riddled body was spotted at a deserted spot outside the university premises.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing.
Qazi Nissar a prominent religious leader and Mirwaiz of south Kashmir was assassinated on June 18, 1994. Nisar had participated in the election of 1987 and was one of the founding members of Muslim United Front (MUF).
No group claimed responsibility. Hizbul Mujahideen was accused of carrying out his assassination.
Professor Mohammad Ramzan, president of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith was injured in an attack by the unknown persons on January 29, 1999, when he was coming out of a mosque in Chattabal area here after offering Friday prayers. He died on 15 February 1999.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing.
Abdul Gani Lone, former minister and MLA from Handwara, who later joined with the Hurriyat Conference, was assassinated May 21, 2002. Lone was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a rally in Srinagar. The shootout happened during a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of former Mirwaiz of Kashmir Maulvi Mohammad Farooq
No group claimed responsibility. Lone’s son blamed Pakistan’s ISI for the killing but later retracted.
Moulana Showkat Shah, president, Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith was assassinated on April 8, 2011. Shah was heading for Friday congregation when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a bicycle near a mosque in uptown Maisuma exploded and killed him.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing....
Soon after the armed conflict started in Kashmir valley, assassinations of prominent people began, the first victim of these ‘unidentified' killers was Chairman of the Awami Action Committee, Mirwaiz Maulvi Farooq. On May 1990 unidentified gunmen barged into his Nageen residence and shot him dead.
No group claimed responsibility. It is widely believed Farooq was killed by militants associated with pro-Pakistan group.
Hriday Nath Wanchoo, a Kashmir Pandit and a noted human rights activist was assassinated by unidentified gunmen on December 5, 1992. Wanchoo, who was a retired civil servant and trade unionist, had documented and filed writ petitions for hundreds of custodial deaths in courts.
No group claimed responsibility. The government accused militant group Jamiat-ul Mujahidin. Human rights activists, who investigated the case, have alleged that the militants of that group were released from jail on condition that they kill Wanchoo.
Amnesty International in its report stated that Wanchoo may have been extra-judicially executed because he was one of the most vocal human rights activists in Kashmir.
Dr Abdul Ahad Guru renowned Kashmiri cardiologist and a founder of a Medical College was assassinated in Srinagar on March 31, 1993. Dr Guru was one of the prominent faces of pro-freedom camp during early 90’s. He was the member of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF).
No group claimed responsibility but it is widely believed a Hizbul Mujahideenn militant Zulqarnain carried out the murder. It is said that Zulqarnain, who was in police custody agreed to kill Guru in exchange for his release. After Guru was assassinated, to ensure that the killing remained secret, Zulqarnain was killed shortly during an encounter.
Prof Ahad Wani, a JKLF ideologue was kidnapped by unidentified gunmen on December 31, 1993 from Kashmir University’s Department of Law and hours later his bullet-riddled body was spotted at a deserted spot outside the university premises.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing.
Qazi Nissar a prominent religious leader and Mirwaiz of south Kashmir was assassinated on June 18, 1994. Nisar had participated in the election of 1987 and was one of the founding members of Muslim United Front (MUF).
No group claimed responsibility. Hizbul Mujahideen was accused of carrying out his assassination.
Professor Mohammad Ramzan, president of Jamiat-e-Ahle Hadith was injured in an attack by the unknown persons on January 29, 1999, when he was coming out of a mosque in Chattabal area here after offering Friday prayers. He died on 15 February 1999.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing.
Abdul Gani Lone, former minister and MLA from Handwara, who later joined with the Hurriyat Conference, was assassinated May 21, 2002. Lone was shot dead by unidentified gunmen at a rally in Srinagar. The shootout happened during a ceremony to mark the death anniversary of former Mirwaiz of Kashmir Maulvi Mohammad Farooq
No group claimed responsibility. Lone’s son blamed Pakistan’s ISI for the killing but later retracted.
Moulana Showkat Shah, president, Jamiat-e-Ahli Hadith was assassinated on April 8, 2011. Shah was heading for Friday congregation when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) placed on a bicycle near a mosque in uptown Maisuma exploded and killed him.
No group claimed responsibility for the killing....
No comments:
Post a Comment