In what comes as a breakthrough in the 1990 Indian Air Force personnel killing case, two eyewitnesses have identified Jammu and Kashmir separatist leader Yasin Malik as the main shooter while hearing at Jammu’s TADA court. They have reportedly also identified three of his associates, reports said.
Yasin Malik is the leader of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), a separatist organisation, and has been involved in separatist activities.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Malviya expressed joy over the development in a post on X, adding that the statement by the eyewitness moves the nation one step closer to justice.
‘Justice may be delayed…’
In the post, Amit Malviya called the moment a “BIG BREAKTHROUGH”, adding that a crucial eyewitness and former Indian Air Force staffer has given a decisive statement in court, identifying JKLF chief and terrorist Yasin Malik “as the main shooter who opened fire on IAF personnel in Srinagar in 1990 — killing four brave Indian Air Force officers in cold blood”.
“For decades, the families of our martyred air warriors have waited for justice. This eyewitness account strengthens the prosecution’s case and brings the nation one step closer to holding the perpetrators fully accountable. Justice may be delayed, but it will not be denied,” he said.
What happened in 1990?
On a cold morning of January 25, 1990, a day before the Republic Day, four Indian Air Force personnel were murdered and dozens others were injured in an attack at Rawalpora. These people were waiting for a bus to their duty station, when terrorists opened fire at them.
Yasin Malik was later identified as the prime accused in the case. Other accused include Ali Mohammad Mir, Manzoor Ahmad Sofi (alias Mustafa), Javed Ahmed Mir (alias Nalka), Showkat Ahmed Bakshi, Javed Ahmed Zargar, and Rafiq “Nanaji” Pahloo.