The J&K Police's State Investigation Agency (SIA) on Tuesday arrested two Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists allegedly involved in the murder of Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq on May 21, 1990. Mirwaiz Mohammad Farooq, the father Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, was chairman of the All Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee.
Addressing a press conference, Special DG CID Jammu and Kashmir, RR Swain, said the two terrorists, identified as Javaid Bhat and Zahoor Ahmed Bhat, would be handed over to the CBI.
"Javaid Bhat and Zahoor Ahmed Bhat were arrested today. CBI team has come from Delhi with a proclaimed offenders notice. They have been taken into custody. They will face the trial. Two of the five (accused terrorists) already died, one is serving a jail sentence and these two absconders will face trial," Swain said.
"Four accused were absconding. Main accused Abdullah Bangaroo was killed in an encounter. Another accused, Ab Rehman Shigan, was also killed in an encounter," he further said.
The Special DG (CID) Swain said it was Zahoor who had pulled the trigger after entering the bedroom of the Mirwaiz. "With this all accused of Mirwaiz killing have been brought to justice," he further said.
J&K Police said the duo had gone underground and were hiding in Nepal and Pakistan before returning back to Kashmir a few years ago. The two terrorists maintained a low profile, changed addresses and avoided the gaze of law enforcement agencies.
"Before killing Mirwaiz, all five Hizbul Mujahideen terrorists had gone to Pakistan for terrorist training in 1990. Back in Srinagar, Abdullah Bangroo received instructions in April 1990 from his ISI handler in Pakistan to eliminate Mirwaiz," J&K Police further said.
On May 21, 1990, Mirwaiz Farooq was killed by terrorists of Hizbul Mujahideen, who accused him of being a "peacenik" and an "Indian agent". The government had transferred the investigation to CBI on June 11, 1990.