Yasin Malik, head of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front-Yasin (JKLF-Y), told the UAPA Tribunal that he abandoned armed struggle in 1994 and adopted a peaceful "Gandhian way of resistance." He argued that his group’s goal was a “United Independent Kashmir,” and he chose non-violence to pursue it. His statement came during a tribunal hearing on the five-year extension of the ban on JKLF-Y under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967.
Yasin Malik, however, is still facing serious accusations. He is a key suspect in the 1990 killing of four Indian Air Force personnel in Srinagar. Earlier this year, witnesses identified him as the main shooter in the incident. In May 2022, Malik was sentenced to life in prison for a terror funding case investigated by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
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In his affidavit, Malik claimed that top political leaders and government officials at the Centre had engaged with him since 1994, assuring him that the Kashmir issue would be resolved through dialogue. He also said they promised that after his unilateral ceasefire, the cases against him and JKLF-Y members would be dropped. Despite these claims, the tribunal upheld JKLF-Y’s ban for another five years.
The NIA has appealed for the death penalty for Yasin Malik in his terror funding case, and Malik has expressed his desire to personally defend himself in court. He declined the court’s offer to appoint a lawyer or legal assistant for him.
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