Shopian, Nov 18 (JKNS): The Special NIA/UAPA Court for Kulgam and Shopian on Tuesday convicted Towseef Ahmed Thokar in the 2021 Imam Sahab encounter case and awarded him six years of imprisonment after finding him guilty of multiple terror-related offences.
As per news agency JKNS stated that Thokar, son of Mohammad Yousaf Thokar and a resident of Khawajapora Reban, Zainapora, was convicted under Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 7/27 of the Arms Act.
The case was registered under FIR No. 25/2021 at Police Station Imam Sahab.
The case relates to an encounter that took place on May 5, 2021, at Imam Sahab, Shopian, during which three terrorists Danish Ahmed Mir, Zahid Bashir, and Umar Hassan Bhat were killed. Thokar was apprehended alive from the encounter site, and arms and ammunition were recovered from his possession.
The investigation was carried out by Mohd Ashrif Lissery (JKPS), the then DySP Operations Imam Sahab Shopian, who now serves as SDPO Magam.
The court praised the Investigating Officer and the Prosecution for conducting a thorough and professional investigation that held up during trial.
In his detailed judgment, Special Judge Parvaiz Iqbal emphasised that given the growing threat of terrorism, the judiciary must follow a stringent approach against acts that jeopardize national security, while simultaneously ensuring constitutional safeguards and a fair trial.
“The investigation has been carried out in a professional manner, and the prosecution has systematically presented evidence that led the court to believe in the truthfulness of the prosecution case,” the judgment reads.
The court noted that evidence presented established guilt beyond reasonable doubt, leading to Thokar’s conviction on all charges.
Rhe court in its decision stated, “The accused Tawseef Ahmed Thoker is guilty of offences under Section 307 IPC (attempt to murder), Section 7/27 Arms Act (possession of illegally acquired arms/ammunition), Section 16 UAPA (terrorist act), Section 18 UAPA (conspiracy to commit a terrorist act), and Section 20 UAPA (membership of a terrorist gang). The prosecution has successfully established the case beyond reasonable doubt.”
The judgment was pronounced in Open Court in virtual presence of the accused, the Additional Public Prosecutor, and defence counsel Tariq Khan. A free copy of the judgment was provided to the accused as per legal requirement. (JKNS
