Srinagar: National Investigation Agency on Thursday attached property of founder and chief commander of Al-Umar Mujahideen, Mushtaq Ahmad Zargar alias Mushtaq Latram in Nowhatta area of Srinagar.
In a statement, issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a spokesperson said Zargar was released along with Masood Azhar in exchange of passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight at Kandahar in 1999.
The statement reads Zargar was also involved in the kidnapping of former union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed’s daughter, Rubaiya Sayeed in 1989.
“Zargar’s two Marlas house at Ganai Mohalla, Nowhatta, Srinagar, has been attached under the provisions of UA(P)A. The procedure was carried out today by a team of NIA along with the representative of district administration and local police,” it reads.
It added Zargar is a designated individual terrorist under the UA(P) Act and has been operating from Pakistan ever since his release.
“Zargar was earlier associated with Jammu & Kashmir Liberation Front and was responsible for several terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir. He has also been involved in other heinous crimes, including murders, and has close association with other terror outfits such as Al-Qaeda and JeM,” it reads.
The statement reads Zargar grew up in Nowhatta and joined JKLF. “In 1989 he was one of the members who kidnapped Rubaiya Sayeed and negotiated her release in exchange of five terrorists.”
It added he was arrested was on May 15, 1992 and was released from jail on December 31, 1999 as part of the Indian Airlines Flight hostage exchange deal—(KNO)
