Former SHO Gets Lifer For Aiding 2003 Kupwara Terror Attack

The Court convicted Ghulam Rasool Wani, former SHO of Sogam (a township in Kupwara district), for criminal conspiracy in the 2003 Kupwara fidayeen attack. The court upheld the acquittal of his co-accused, Abdul Ahad Rather, due to insufficient evidence.

Justices Sanjeev Kumar and Sanjay Parihar, partially allowing the state’s appeal, criticized the trial court’s “perverse and erroneous” approach. They found that Wani, aware of the terrorist’s identity and intentions, facilitated the attack, enabling the killing of security personnel.

On May 12, 2003, Wani allowed Mohammad Ibrahim, a Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist disguised in a police uniform, to be driven from Sogam Police Station to Kupwara town's main square in an official vehicle. There, Ibrahim opened fire, killing two CRPF constables, B. Prashad and B. Ramaiah, injuring six others, before being neutralized.

The court’s 30-page judgment likened Wani’s actions to “firing a loaded cannon into a crowd,” highlighting his intent to cause death. Wani was ordered to surrender for custody, while proceedings against the deceased terrorist were abated.

The ruling overturns the 2011 Sessions Court acquittal of both accused, citing witness testimonies confirming Wani’s role in the conspiracy under Section 120-B read with 302 RPC, emphasizing that his failure as a police officer to protect lives amounted to aiding terrorism.