Did a key eyewitness reveal Yasin Malik as the primary shooter in the 1990 IAF personnel killings?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Yasin Malik identified as the main shooter in the 1990 IAF killings.
- Significant breakthrough in a case lasting over 35 years.
- Two eyewitnesses confirmed Malik's role during the trial.
- Incident resulted in the deaths of four IAF personnel.
- Next court hearing set for November 29.
Jammu, Nov 23 (NationPress) In a significant development during the trial of the banned Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) leader, Yasin Malik, for the murders of four IAF officials in the Rawalpora area of Srinagar on January 25, 1990, a crucial eyewitness has identified the separatist figure as the principal shooter in the TADA court.
Officials stated on Sunday that a vital eyewitness has pinpointed Yasin Malik as the primary shooter in the notorious 1990 Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel massacre case.
"The identification occurred before a specialized TADA court in Jammu, where Malik stands trial for the assault that claimed the lives of four IAF personnel and injured numerous others in Rawalpora, Srinagar, on January 25, 1990. The witness, who served in the IAF and was a colleague of the victims, confirmed Malik's involvement in this attack, marking a substantial breakthrough in this 35-year-old case," said officials.
Currently serving a life sentence for a terror funding case, Yasin Malik also faces charges for the 1989 abduction of Rubaiya Sayeed, the daughter of then Union Home Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.
Two crucial eyewitnesses distinctly identified Malik and three alleged accomplices as the main culprits before the TADA court in Jammu on Saturday.
Participating in the proceedings through video conferencing, Malik appeared alongside Javed Mir, Muhammad Rafiq Pahloo alias Saleem Nana Ji, and Shaukat Bakshi before the court.
During the cross-examination, both key witnesses reaffirmed their identification of all four as the main accused, according to officials.
A third eyewitness, an IAF staff member, testified that Malik was indeed the principal shooter in the assault.
This incident led to the deaths of at least four IAF personnel, including Air Force Squadron Leader Ravi Kumar Khanna, and left 22 others injured.
The eyewitnesses maintained their assertions throughout cross-examination.
Following the identification of the accused, the next court hearing is set for November 29.
The prosecution is pursuing the maximum penalty for Malik.