Sajjad Afghani | |
|---|---|
| Born | Muhammad Sajjad Khan 1959 |
| Died | 10 March 1999 (aged 40) Bhalwal,Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Burial place | Jammu,Jammu and Kashmir, India |
| Occupation | Militant |
| Years active | (1984–1996) |
| Organization | Harkat ul-Ansar |
| Known for | Militancy |
| Title | Commander |
| Opponents | |
| Family | Sudhan |
| Military career | |
| Battles / wars | |
Muhammad Sajjad Khan (1959 - 10 March 2011) was a Pakistanimilitant andCommander-in-Chief ofHarkat-ul-Mujahideen. He was known as Sajjad Afghani, due to his participation in theSoviet-Afghan War.[1]
He was born in the village of Baibakh,Rawalakot, in thePoonch District ofAzad Kashmir, Pakistan.[2]
Sajjad Afghani joined the militancy under the banner ofHarkat-ul-Mujahideen in the 1980s. He was well trained and remained involved in theSoviet–Afghan War. He stayed inAfghanistan until 1989.[3]
In 1991 he became Commander in Chief of Harkat Ul Ansar inSrinagar. In June 1994 he was arrested along with MolanaMasood Azhar by the Indian Border Security Force.[1] Lt. Gen.Arjun Ray, then Brigadier General Staff (BGS), described Afghani, a frail but visibly tough militant who had fought the Russians, as the "biggest catch" given his importance in militant circles.[4]
According to Indian sources, Afghani was killed during an unsuccessfuljailbreak from theKot Bhalwal Jail in 10 March 1999.[1] His death led to the hijacking ofIndian Airlines Flight 814 in December by Harkat members, which led to the release ofMasood Azhar,Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh andMushtaq Ahmed Zargar by theIndian Government.[5] The handover of his body had also been one of the initial demands of the hijackers.[6]