Shopian, November 13:
The NIA/UAPA Court for Kulgam and Shopian has convicted Towseef Ahmed Thokar, son of Mohammad Yousaf Thokar, resident of Khawajapora Reban, Zainapora, in connection with the 2021 Imam Sahab encounter case, registered under FIR No. 25/2021 at Police Station Imam Sahab.
The court found the accused guilty under Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 7/27 of the Arms Act. The matter has been listed for sentencing on November 17, 2025.
The case pertains to an encounter that took place on May 5, 2021, between security forces and terrorists at Imam Sahab, Shopian, during which three militants — Danish Ahmed Mir, Zahid Bashir, and Umar Hassan Bhat — were neutralized, while the accused Towseef Ahmed Thokar was apprehended alive from the encounter site along with arms and ammunition.
The case was investigated by Shri Mohd Ashrif Lissery (JKPS), the then DySP Operations, Imam Sahab Shopian, who is presently posted as SDPO Magam.
In a detailed judgment, Special Judge Parvaiz Iqbal observed that in view of the growing menace of terrorism, courts must adopt a stringent approach towards such acts which pose a serious threat to national security and the rule of law, while ensuring that constitutional safeguards and fair trial rights are duly upheld.
The court also commended the Investigating Officer and the Prosecution for conducting a professional and thorough investigation, and for presenting strong and credible evidence that withstood judicial scrutiny.
“The investigation has been carried out in a professional manner, and the prosecution has systematically produced evidence that led the court to believe in the truthfulness of the prosecution’s case,” the judgment reads.
Concluding the judgment, the court stated that the prosecution successfully proved all charges beyond reasonable doubt, leading to the conviction of the accused.
