Srinagar, Feb 27: A court in Srinagar 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.
According to Counter Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), 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 held that custodial examination of the accused is essential for effective investigation and for securing the ends of justice.
“Being satisfied that sufficient grounds exist, the Court allowed the application and directed the issuance of Non-Bailable Warrants, instructing the Station House Officer/Investigating Officer of Police Station CIK, Srinagar, to execute the warrants and produce the accused before the Court at the earliest,” the CIK spokesman said.
He said the decisive legal action underscores CIK’s sustained and uncompromising resolve to pursue terror-related cases to their logical conclusion, irrespective of the passage of time.
“Counter Intelligence Kashmir remains steadfast in its mission to safeguard national security and ensure that individuals involved in activities threatening the sovereignty and integrity of the nation are brought firmly within the ambit of law,” added the spokesman