Eyewitnesses name Yasin Malik main shooter in 1990 IAF killings
What's the story
Former Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) separatist leader Yasin Malik has been identified as the main shooter in the 1990 killing of four Air Force personnel. The identification was made by two key eyewitnesses during a hearing in a Jammu Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA) court. The attack, which took place at Sannat Nagar, left Squadron Leader Ravi Khanna dead and injured 22 others.
Testimony details
Eyewitnesses recount harrowing experience of Sannat Nagar attack
During the court proceedings, one eyewitness, who was cross-examined by Malik, recognized him instantly. "Except for your style of beard, you haven't changed much," he said. The prime witness also named three others, Showkat Bakshi, Nanna Ji and Javed Ahmad, as participants in the attack. Recalling the traumatic event, he said Nanna Ji aimed an AK rifle at him, but he managed to escape by changing his position.
Current status
Malik currently serving life sentence in terror funding case
Malik is currently serving a life sentence in Delhi's Tihar Jail for a terror funding case. He attended the court hearing via video conferencing. The court has permitted cross-examination of prime witnesses with CBI's Special Prosecutor SK Bhat present during the proceedings. The next hearing is scheduled for November 29, bringing some closure to the victims' families after 35 years since the attack.