MUZAFARABAD: Abdul Hamid Shaikh a popular Kashmiri leader is reported killed. Shaikh 30 was the deputy leaders of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) in Indian occupied Kashmir Reports reaching here reveal that the killing took place on the afternoon of Nov.21 when Shaikh and three of his associates were travelling in a Shikara in lake Dal in capital Srinagar. Indian security forces are reported to have chased the boat in an area which was under military siege for search operations.

Sheikh’s killing is a major blow to Kashmiris struggle for independence from India. Shaikh has been at the forefront of the current uprising. In a previous attempt at his life Shaikh was seriously injured in 1990 when Indian security forces reportedly shot at him in capital Srinagar. Shaikh was then taken toa hospital from where he went underground. In September 1990 he was arrested along with his colleague Mohammad Yasin Malik but was released early this year. Shaikh was a close political associate of Shabir Ahmad Shah the jailed Kashmiri leader. Sheikhs death is the second major blow suffered by the JKLF in two years. In 1990 Ashfaq Majid Wani a nationalist Kashmiri leader was also killed by the Indian security forces.

The imposition of indefinite curfew in the Srinagar municipal area as soon as his body was fished out from Jhelum river shows the influence he wielded among the local people.

Hamid Sheikh had given many a slip to securitymen in the last two years. He was arrested during an encounter in which he received serious injuries. He was released in exchange for Rubia Sayeed kidnapped daughter of then Home Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed.

Kashmir Valley is reported to be tense and the military and the paramilitary forces are holding flag marches in cities and towns to enforce a strict curfew

In London the reaction to the killing has been sharp. The Spokesman for the JKLF in Britain Zaffar Khan has accused India of committing a political murder. Special prayers are being organized in London’s Central Mosque at Regents Park at 12 p.m on Sunday.

Kashmir Council for Human Rights in London has denounced the killings and has appealed to the Secretary General of the United Nations to order an enquiry into the killings.

Article extracted from this publication >> December 4, 1992