The National Investigation Agency has lodged a chargesheet against six senior Hurriyat leaders for their alleged role in the 1996 Kashmir mob violence that saw indiscriminate firing on police. Charges include criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants.

Key Takeaways

  • NIA files a comprehensive chargesheet linking six Hurriyat leaders to the 1996 Kashmir mob violence.
  • Three deceased leaders are named, establishing their involvement even though no prosecution can follow.
  • The investigation frames the incident as part of a pre‑planned separatist conspiracy aimed at destabilising the state.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday, July 10, 2026, submitted a detailed chargesheet accusing six senior Hurriyat Conference figures of orchestrating the July 1996 mob violence in Srinagar. The incident involved indiscriminate firing on police personnel and extensive stone‑pelting, leaving several officers injured.

Historical Context

On July 17, 1996, a funeral procession for slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh passed through Naaz Crossing in Srinagar. The procession turned violent when armed militants blended in, opened fire on police, and unleashed a large‑scale riot. The episode became a flashpoint in Jammu‑Kashmir’s already volatile political landscape.

Investigation Findings

Taking over the case in April 2026 on the direction of the Union Home Ministry, NIA’s probe concluded that Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Javid Ahmad Mir, Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi and Mohammad Yaqoob Wakeel not only led an unlawful assembly but also incited the crowd with anti‑India, pro‑Pakistan and separatist slogans.

According to the agency, the leaders used the funeral procession as a “platform to propagate separatist ideology, mobilise public support against the Indian Government, provoke public disorder, and incite violence against law‑enforcement agencies.” The presence of militants within the crowd and the subsequent indiscriminate firing underscore the pre‑planned nature of the attack.

Legal Charges

All six individuals have been charged under the Ranbir Penal Code, 1989 for criminal conspiracy, attempt to murder, rioting and assault on public servants, as well as under Section 13 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967. While the charges against the deceased leaders—Geelani, Lone and Wakeel—are noted as “abated,” the chargesheet still documents their role in the conspiracy.

Political Implications

This move is widely seen as a decisive step by the Indian government to cripple the Hurriyat network and deter future separatist mobilisations. Legal experts argue that the rigorous prosecution not only serves justice for the victims but also sends a strong deterrent signal to any groups contemplating similar violent tactics.

Continued monitoring of the case is expected, with NIA indicating that the investigation remains active as further evidence may emerge.