Mystery shrouds militant’s return

Senior separatist leader Zahoor Ahmad Bhat has mysteriously returned from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) 20 years after he crossed the Line of Control (LoC) for arms training.

Zahoor is brother of Maqbool Bhat, who founded the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in the 70s and was executed in Tihar Jail in 1984 for killing a bank official.

Five years after his hanging, Zahoor crossed LoC and married a Pakistani girl whose family had migrated from Kashmir. He later joined the JKLF faction headed by Amanullah Khan, a close associate of his brother and one of India’s most wanted. 

Zahoor arrived here a few days ago and the government allowed him a free run. Under pressure, police arrested him on Thursday but not before allowing him to address a rally at his village Trehgam in Kupwara to mark the 25th death anniversary of his brother.

The way Zahoor surfaced in Kashmir with wife and four children aged 1.5 to seven years is intriguing. Some reports suggest he returned via Katmandu, while other reports say he crossed LoC.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir range, B Srinivas said Zahoor came via Nepal. “He was not carrying valid documents and that is why he was arrested.”

Zahoor, on his part, said he was here to carry forward the mission of his slain brother in a democratic manner.