Farooq Ahmed Dar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Farooq Ahmed Dar (1973-01-01)1 January 1973 (age 52) |
| Nationality |  Indian |
| Other names | Bitta Karate |
| Years active | 1990-date |
| Organization | JKLF |
| Known for | Role in militant separatist activities during theKashmir insurgency in 1990. |
| Criminal charge | Violation ofPublic Safety Act. |
| Criminal penalty | Pending |
| Criminal status | Arrested and detained by NIA |
| Spouse | Assbah Arzoomand Khan |
| Mother | Fatima |
Farooq Ahmed Dar known by hisnom de guerreBitta Karate, is aKashmiri militant, who currently serves as the chairman of theJammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) in theKashmir Valley ofJammu and Kashmir,India.
Dubbed as the "Butcher of Pandits," due to a confession interview[1] Dar has admitted on camera to massacring multipleKashmiri Hindu Pandits and Kashmiri Muslims during the 1990 Kashmir insurgency leading up to theExodus of Kashmiri Hindus.[2][3][4][5][6] He was imprisoned from 1990 until 2006 under terrorism-related charges before being released on bail. He was arrested again in 2019 forfinancing terrorism.[7]
Dar was born on 1 January 1973 in the Guru Bazar neighbourhood of the city ofSrinagar in theKashmir Valley ofJammu and Kashmir,India into aKashmiri Muslim family of theDar clan. While "Bitta" was hispet name, he was given the suffix "Karate" because of his mastery inmartial arts. Dar used to work for hisfamily business until he left his home to become a militant in his early 20s. He became infamous during the militancy of the 1990s.[8]
In 1988, Farooq Ahmed Dar was taken across theLoC toPakistan-administered Kashmir by the thenJKLF chief commanderAshfaq Majeed Wani for armed training. Dar wasblindfolded and then taken to Pakistan-administered Kashmir along with other "trainees" where they received 32-day armed training.[9][additional citation(s) needed]
Farooq Ahmad Dar operated as a militant of theJammu Kashmir Liberation Front and participated in the militant activities.[2]He has admitted on camera to have killed over 20 Kashmiri Pandits.[2][4] His first victim was a young businessman, Satish Kumar Tickoo, whom Dar knew and often took a lift from. Tickoo was called out of his house and shot to be killed on 2 February 1990.[10][11]He apparently used to get orders (for execution) fromAshfaq Majeed Wani or other superiors in theJKLF.[9]According to Kashmiri Muslim sources in downtown Kashmir, Dar would walk armed on the streets ofSrinagar in search of Kashmiri Pandits and on spotting, he would take out his pistol and shoot at them.[12][11] He usedpistols to kill civilians andAK-47 to attack and fire atIndian Security Forces. He admitted to killing at least 20 people in 1990 during the insurgency.[9][2] According to the convener ofPanun Kashmir, he had admitted to killing 42 Kashmiri Pandits.[3] Dar later claimed that he hadn't killed any Pandits and that the statement was made under duress.[6][9]
Farooq Ahmed Dar, along with two of his associates, was arrested byBorder Security Force on 22 June 1990 fromSrinagar. He was arrested anddetained under the Public Safety Act and had 19 cases against him. He remained under detention for 16 years and was released on indefinite bail in October 2006. Dar was detained in various prisons across India. He served time in Kot Bhalwal Jail inJammu, District Jail inKathua, Central Jail inJodhpur, Central Jail inAgra etc.[3][8][11][12][13]
On 23 October 2006, a court enforcingTerrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA court) inJammu granted bail to Dar and he was handed over to his family on 25 October 2006.[12][13] He was initially granted bail for four months against abail bond and personal surety of₹1 lakh (equivalent to₹3.2 lakh or US$3,750.50 in 2023) each. Dar was released after spending 16 years in jail. His detention under the Public Safety Act was quashed by theSupreme Court of India before his release from jail. His release was condemned by several Kashmiri Pandit organizations. Dar got a warm reception from his supporters in Kashmir. Large number of supporters assembled at his house where flower petals andconfetti was showered on him. Then, Dar was taken out in a procession to anEidgah where prayers were offered.[3][13]
While dictating the verdict, the TADA court judge, Justice Wani remarked:
The court is aware of the fact that the allegations against the accused are of serious nature and carry a punishment of death sentence or life imprisonment but the fact is that the prosecution has shown total disinterest in arguing the case.[12]
Upon release from detention, Dar joined theJammu Kashmir Liberation Front (R) where he worked his way up to become its chairman.
TheNational Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested him again in 2019 on charges ofterror funding.[7] NIA has charged Dar, Sayeed Salahudeen, and others of "conspiring to wage war against the government" and fomenting trouble in the Kashmir Valley.[7] His co-accused is theHizbul Mujahideen's headSayeed Salahudeen.[7]
A Kashmiri pandit has called for the reopening of the trial against Dar.[14]
