Cops identify Hizb ultra in video

Majid Jahangir

Tribune News Service

Srinagar, January 20

The J&K Police have identified the Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander who appeared in the latest video in which he is asking people “not to participate in the upcoming Republic Day functions and boycott mainstream politicians”. 

A senior police officer said the militant commander in the video was Yaseen Yatoo (40) of Nagam Chadoora in Budgam, one of the oldest surviving militants.

“He is a recycled militant and was arrested more than a couple of times. He crossed the Line of Control in 1997 for arms training. After his return, he was arrested and later released. He remained in and out of jail, but got recycled each time,” the officer said. 

The officer said that in December 2015, Yatoo “mysteriously went missing”.

“He, however, managed to spread a rumour that he has died close to the LoC while exfiltrating. Even his funeral prayers in absentia were led by senior separatist leader Ashraf Sehrai at his native place,” the police officer said, adding that his family even mourned the death for four days.

The family, it is learnt, came to know that Yatoo is alive six months after the funeral prayers in absentia.

The video of the militant commander in an Army fatigue and guarded by two AK-47 borne militants surfaced on social media on Thursday. In the video, shot at an undisclosed location, he said that the “struggle” would continue and anyone harming it would be dealt with severely.

Another police officer said Yatoo was mostly active in Kulgam and Budgam districts. “During the 2016 unrest, the militant commander was seen in a video while addressing a rally in Kulgam,” he said.

The appearance of the oldest surviving militant in a video is an indication that not only the new breed of militants, but senior commanders are also using social media to attract youth towards militancy. 

The trend of video messages was initiated by Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. After his killing in July last year, 59 local youths have joined militant ranks in Kashmir.