Hizb Chief Salahuddin Among Four Declared Proclaimed Offenders in 1996 Militancy Case

SRINAGAR: A Special Court designated under the NIA Act in Srinagar on Wednesday issued a proclamation against Hizb-ul-Mujahideen chief Muhammad Yusuf Shah, alias Syed Salahuddin, and three other accused in connection with a 1996 militancy-related case, directing them to appear before the court by July 14. The case was registered at the Srinagar police station of Counter-Intelligence Kashmir (CIK), the specialised investigative arm of the Jammu and Kashmir Police

The proclamation names Salahuddin, originally a resident of Soibugh in the Kashmir Valley’s central Budgam district; Ghulam Nabi Khan alias Amir Khan of Anantnag; Sher Muhammad alias Bahadur alias Riyaz of Bandipora; and Nasir Yusuf Qadri of Srinagar. According to the prosecution, the accused are associated with the proscribed Hizb and related militant activity.

According to the court order, the accused face charges under provisions of the J&K’s erstwhile Ranbir Penal Code, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, and E&IMCO in FIR No. 05/1996 registered at CIK Srinagar. The prosecution told the court that despite arrest warrants and continued efforts by police agencies, the accused could not be traced and were evading arrest. Salahuddin is currently operating from Pakistan and PoJK, both as the Hizb ‘Supreme Commander’ and chief of United Jihad Council, an amalgam of pro-Pakistan militant outfits.

Court records state that the case was registered in April 1996 after information received by CIK Srinagar alleged that Pakistani intelligence agencies were motivating Kashmiri youth to join militant outfits and undergo training across the border. The prosecution alleged that Salahuddin played a leading role in delivering provocative speeches and encouraging such recruitment.

Indian authorities have previously sought his appearance in other terror-related matters as well, including a 2025 UAPA case linked to Srinagar’s Zakura police station and a separate 2002 murder-and-arms case reported from Budgam, where courts also initiated proceedings after authorities said he was absconding and outside India.

After examining the material placed before it, the NIA court observed that warrants issued against the accused remained unexecuted and that reports from police authorities, field staff and local officials indicated they were absconding and concealing their whereabouts.

Holding that the statutory requirements for issuance of a proclamation under Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 had been met, the court ordered proclamation proceedings against all four accused and directed that the proclamation be published and served in accordance with law.