Resurgence of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front

The resurgence of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) following the contested elections in 1987 brought with it a tumultuous period for the Kashmir Valley. The Impact of HAJY Group on Kashmir Terrorism was enormous in 1990

HAJY Group, comprising Hamid Sheikh, Ashfaq Wani, Javed Ahmad Mir, and Yasin Malik , played a crucial role in the organization’s revival. Tragically, their call for independence led to violence against the Kashmiri Pandit community, resulting in the loss of innocent lives and forcing lakhs pf Kashmiri Pandits to flee their ancestral homes.

Hameed Sheikh – The Commander of Aali Kadal Unit:

Born in Srinagar in 1967, Hameed Sheikh was a young man when he joined the JKLF during his university days in the late 1980s. His involvement in the organization soon propelled him to become a founding member of the JKLF’s Aali Kadal unit. As the commander of this unit, he played a prominent role in furthering the organization’s activities in the region.

Hamid Sheikh was killed on November 19, 1992, along with six other JKLF members, including Mushtaq Ahmad Lone, Advocate Jamil Chowdhry, Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh, Mushtaq Ahmad Kuttay, Mustaq Ahmad Khan, and Ghulam Mohammad. Their involvement in violent activities left a trail of sorrow and destruction, impacting the Pandit community and Kashmir as a whole.

Ashfaq Majeed Wani

Born on September 5, 1966, in the Sarai Balla area of Srinagar, Ashfaq Majeed Wani was a talented student with a love for sports. During the the late 1980s, he was actively engaged in the Kashmiri freedom movement.

At the young age of 24, he lost his life during an encounter with security forces on March 30, 1990. His death was used to add fuel to the creation of a strong movement.

He was allegedly involved in the kidnapping of Rubaiyya Sayeed, daughter of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, the then Home Minister of India and the centre govt released five dreaded terrorists in exchange for Rubaiyya Sayeed,due to that JKLF boldened their activities against Kashmiri Pandits, forcing Kashmiri Pandits to leave Kashmir. 19th January 1990 was the darkest day in our history.

Javed Mir (Javed Nalka) – Allegations of Violence:

Javed Mir, known by his alias Javed Nalka, held a significant position within the JKLF. He faced arrest in October 2019 in connection with the killing of four Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel in January 1990. The allegations against him were grave and reflected the gravity of the situation during those tumultuous years.

Javed Mir was released on bail in November 2019 after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court found insufficient evidence to link him to the killings. While his was involved with violent incidents,and court found insufficient evidence it is crucial to follow due process to get the justice for all the crimes he had committed against the humanity.

Javed Nalka shot to fame when Yasin Malik was put behind bars from 1990 to 1994 for his role in the Kashmir militancy. During that period Nalka became the “Acting Chairman” and the de-facto supremo of his group. That is when he took to wearing lavish clothes and with his beret and sunglasses. Javed Nalka also had a revolver that he would brandish and play with during his numerous press conferences. He loved to project a macho image in those press meetings, dispensing his pearls of wisdom and authority.

Impact of HAJY group on Kashmiri pandits

The resurgence of the JKLF, spearheaded by the HAJY Group, had severe repercussions for the Kashmiri Pandit community. The organization’s violent activities led to the loss of innocent lives and created an atmosphere of fear and insecurity. Kashmiri Pandits, who had lived in the region for generations, faced an excruciating dilemma – remain in their homes amidst the escalating violence or leave behind everything they cherished in search of safety. 19 January 1990 was the darkest day of Kashmiri Pandit History

The atrocities against the Kashmiri Pandit community were not isolated incidents but part of a broader armed insurgency that engulfed the entire region. While the JKLF was not the only militant group involved in the conflict, its actions significantly contributed to the suffering of the Pandit community. Many Kashmiri Pandits were specifically targeted, with their homes attacked, their businesses destroyed, and their places of worship desecrated.

The psychological impact of the violence and forced displacement was profound. The exiled Kashmiri Pandits faced numerous challenges in their new surroundings. They had to rebuild their lives from scratch, dealing with the trauma of their past and the uncertainty of their future. Despite the difficulties, the Pandit community exhibited resilience, determination, and a longing to return to their homeland someday.