Jammu: Trouble has intensified for Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik with two key witnesses identifying him as the main shooter in the attack that killed four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel, including Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna, and wounded 22 others.
On January 25, 1990, terrorists opened fire at Rawalpora, in the outskirts of Srinagar. The victims were waiting for a bus to pick them up for duty when the attack took place.
Malik, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), is among the prime accused, along with Ali Mohammad Mir, Manzoor Ahmad Sofi (alias Mustafa), Javed Ahmed Mir (alias Nalka), Showkat Ahmed Bakshi, Javed Ahmed Zargar, and Rafiq “Nanaji” Pahloo.
The two witnesses were testifying before a Jammu Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court that is hearing the matter.
One of the witnesses, who was cross-examined by Malik, even said: “Except for your style of beard, you haven’t changed much, and I have no difficulty recognising you as the main shooter.”
The prime witness also identified three other accused, Showkat Bakshi, Nanna Ji and Javed Ahmad, as involved in the Sannat Nagar shootout. Recounting the harrowing experience, the witness told the court that Nanna Ji had pointed an AK rifle at him, ready to fire.
“He wanted to spray bullets, but I changed my position and saved myself,” the witness said.
Describing the chaotic scene, he explained how they managed to rush an injured official to the hospital.
“It was only the next day that we learnt four of the injured officials had succumbed to their injuries,” the witness added, highlighting the traumatic aftermath of the attack.
Malik is currently serving a life sentence in Delhi’s Tihar Jail in a terror funding case. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has appealed to the Delhi High Court, seeking the death sentence for him.
The Jammu court, meanwhile, allowed the cross-examination of the prime witnesses. S K Bhat, special public prosecutor for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was present during the hearing. The next hearing is scheduled for November 29.
Bhat has presented strong evidence against Malik and the other accused. The case has brought some closure to the families of the victims after 35 years.
