SIA files chargesheet against 12 in Kashmiri Pandit’s murder case

Our Correspondent

Srinagar, January 20

The State Investigation Agency (SIA) of the Jammu and Kashmir Police on Saturday filed a chargesheet against 12 persons, including three militants who have already been killed, in connection with the murder of Kashmiri Pandit Sanjay Sharma.

‘Conspiracy hatched across border’

• The SIA said that the investigation into the killing revealed a broader conspiracy that originated from across the border to disrupt the revival of peace and communal harmony in the Valley.
• The investigation has reportedly unveiled that the accused individuals were acting on instructions from terror handlers across the border, maintaining communication via encrypted online messaging platforms.
• The SIA said Jazim Farooq Wani, who pulled the trigger, received weapon training from Nassir Farooq Shah on the directives of Pakistani handler Khalid Kamran.

The police said the killing of Sharma was part of a broader conspiracy originating “from across the border” to disrupt the revival of “peace and communal harmony in the Valley”.

Militants had shot Sharma, who worked as a security guard at a bank, on February 26 last year at Achan village in Pulwama while he was on his way to a market near his home. He died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.

The case was initially registered at the Pulwama police station but it was later transferred to the SIA.

The SIA said probe into the killing revealed a broader conspiracy that originated from across the border to disrupt the revival of peace and communal harmony in the Valley.

“The aim was to use the murder of an innocent person from the minority community to fuel communal disharmony and sustain terrorism,” it added.

“After taking over the case, extensive searches were conducted across South Kashmir, unearthing vital physical and technical evidence. This evidence exposed the accused persons’ involvement in the crime, including logistical support, harbouring the accused and concealing evidence,” the SIA added.

The SIA said that during its investigation, officials conducted five rounds of extensive searches at 32 locations across the Valley. “Mobile devices, incriminating documents, bank documents, one pistol magazine and live cartridges were seized during this search,” the SIA added.

The chargesheet has been filed before the Special Designated Court under the NIA Act at Pulwama.

The three accused militants, Jazim Farooq Wani, Danish Ahmad Thokar and Ubaid Ahmad of Shopian district were killed in different encounters with the security forces last year.

Other accused include Zaffar Hussain Bhat, Nassir Farooq Shah, Aamir Hussain Wani, Towseef Ahmad Pandith Sajjad Ahmad Bhat, and Sahil Bashir Dar, who are from Anantnag district.

The two other accused have been identified as Sarjeel Ahmad Bhat from Kulgam and Shameem Ahmad Bhat from Shopian.

One of the accused, referred to as the handler by the SIA, is Khalid Kamran of Pakistan. The SIA said that while the investigation continues for accused Yasir Shabir Wani, eight out of the 13 accused, including three juveniles, are currently in judicial custody. Zaffar Hussain Bhat and Khalid Kamran are presently absconding, the SIA said.

“The investigation unveiled that the accused individuals were acting on instructions from terror handlers across the border, maintaining communication via encrypted online messaging platforms. Jazim Farooq Wani, who pulled the trigger, received weapon training from Nassir Farooq Shah on the directives of the Pakistani handler Khalid Kamran,” the SIA said.

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