Farooq Ahmed Dar

Early life

Farooq Ahmed Dar was born in the late 1960s (exact date of birth unknown) in Guru Bazar in Srinagar. "Bitta" being his pet name, Dar was given suffix nickname "Karate" because of his mastery in martial arts. Farooq Ahmed Dar used to work for his family business and in his early 20s, he left his home to become a militant.

Militant training in Pakistan-administered Kashmir

Farooq Ahmed Dar in 1988, was taken across LoC to Pakistan-administered Kashmir by the then JKLF chief commander Ashfaq Majeed Wani for militant training. Dar was blindfolded and then taken to Pakistan-administered Kashmir along with other "trainees" where they received 32 day training for anti India activities and for insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.

Participation in the 1990 ethnic cleansing

Upon his return from Pakistan-administered Kashmir after the training, Farooq Ahmed Dar participated in 1990 ethnic cleansing of Kashmiri Hindus and has claimed to have killed over twenty-two people, mostly Kashmiri Pandits. His first victim was a young businessman Satish Kumar Tickoo, who was also a RSS member. Tickoo was shot by Dar in front of his house. Farooq Ahmed Dar used to get orders (for execution) from Ishfaq Majid Wani or other superiors in JKLF. Dar would also walk armed on the streets of Srinagar in search of Kashmiri Pandits and on spotting, he would take out his pistol and shoot at them. He used pistols to kill individuals (civilians) and AK-47 to attack and fire at Indian Security Forces. It is estimated that Dar had killed between 22 and 42 people during the 1990 Kashmiri Pandit genocide. Farooq Ahmed Dar never covered his face or wore a mask to conceal his identity and there were eyewitness to his crime. The witnesses however never reported the crime and instead supported him. Dar also claimed that he never failed in executing any of his victims and that he always fired upon them from a distance (20–30 meters).

Arrest and detention

Farooq Ahmed Dar along with his two associates, was arrested by Border Security Force on 22 Jun 1990 from Srinagar. He was arrested and detained under the Public Safety Act and had 19 militancy related cases on him. He remained under detention for 16 years and was released on indefinite bail in Oct 2006. Dar was in detention in various prisons in India in different states. He served time in Kot Bhalwal Jail in Jammu, District Jail in Kathua, Central Jail in Jodhpur, Central Jail in Agra etc. Although demanded by Dar and his family, throughout his detention he was never shifted to a jail in Kashmir Valley.

Indefinite bail and release

On 23 Oct 2006, a TADA court in Jammu granted bail to Dar and he was handed over to his family on 25 Oct 2006."Bitta Karate jail and bail". oneindia.com. Retrieved 1 Jun 2016. </ref> He was initially granted bail for four months against a bail bond and personal personal surety of ₹1 lakh (equivalent to ₹2.2 lakh or US$3,341.80 in 2016) each. Dar was released after spending 16 years in jail. The Public Safety Act, under which Dar was arrested in 1990 was quashed by the Supreme Court of India before his release from jail. Even though 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 and confetti was showered on him. Then, Dar was taken out in a procession to an Eidgah where prayers were offered.

While dictating verdict, judge remarked:

When releasing Farooq Ahmed Dar on bail in 2006, the TADA court judge N.D. 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.”

Political career

Upon release from detention, Dar joined Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (R) where he worked his way up to taking the post of its chairman.