NEW DELHI: Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of Javed Ahmed Shalla leader of the Ikhwan-ul-Muslimeen organization held by the security forces as responsible for many murders in the Kashmir Valley.

While the official version is that he escaped from custody hours after his arrest on March 25 security sources privately admit that the was killed by personnel of one of the central police organizations while “escaping” near Wagpora village in Budgam district that day.

There was speculation in the Valley that he had been killed after the discovery of the body of his associate Mohammed Yusuf Beg a close relative of Ikhwan-ul Maslimeen Chief Hilal Beg soon after.

A Pakistan TV broadcast reported Shalla’s death on March 27 but there has been no confirmation or denial from the Indian authorities.

The death of Shalla would be a major “victory” for the security forces as he was one of the mast wanted men in the Valley. “A very dirty fellow” was how an official described him.

The government however would want to keep the death under wraps for the backlash it may invite.

It is satisfied however with the message the death has sent 10 militants down the line. Security officials claim that Shallas death has become common knowledge among armed militants in the Valley.

While his organization was still part of the J & K Students Liberation Front he was allegedly responsible for the kidnapping of Kashmir University vice-Chancellor Mashir-ul Hag his private secretary Abdul Gani and HMT General Manager H.L. Khera on April 6, 1990.

The three hostages were murdered on April 10, 1990 following the rejection of the abductors demanded by the Governor Jagmohan.

Shalla was captured by security forces once before and his release was the main demand by the Ikhwan-ul Muslimeen after the kidnapping of Oil India executive K Doraiswamy on June 281991. Doraiswamy was held hostage for seven weeks before the government released Shalla

Shalla was also responsible for the kidnapping of Saifuddin So2s daughter Naheeda on February 27,1991. She was freed on March 8 following the release of Ikhwanul Muslimeen activist Mushtaq Ahmed.

Militants released unharmed three of the four police officials and Congress (I) leader and former MLC Habibullah Bhatt but a militant was Killed and security forces had arrested seven of them in the Valley since Friday evening.

An official spokesman said that militants freed Sub Inspector G.M.Mir Jammu and Kashmir Armed Police and Constables Mohammad Shafi and Sat Paul Singhon Saturday morning. They however did not release Deputy Superintendent of Police H.I Bhagat.

These four officials were kidrapped by militants on April 2 from Wattergam near Sopore in North Kashmir.

Spokesman said Habibullah Bhalt who was kidnapped by militant outfit Allaha-Tigers on March 1 was freed and reached his home at Bandipora on Saturday morning.

Official sources said one militant was killed in an encounter with security forces in Baramulla district on Friday night.

Militants attacked security forces pickets at four places in interior Srinagar. However no one was injured.

Article extracted from this publication >> April 17, 1992