Latest news with #Jamaat-backed
India.com
10-07-2025
- Politics
- India.com
From Terrorist To Army Captain: Meet Indian ‘James Bond' Who Helped Eliminate 300 Terrorists
Far from the stereotypical spy movie hero, Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat — once a militant — went on to become one of the Indian Army's most valuable undercover agents and later, a decorated army officer. His story, filled with danger, redemption, and sacrifice, resembles a real-life thriller that spans decades of Kashmir's insurgency. Now 56, Mushtaq walks quietly in the garden of his home in Pulwama, South Kashmir — a man once feared and revered, known by many names: James Bond, Romeo, and Ishfaq. Once a militant trained in Pakistan, he later switched sides, becoming a covert operative for the Indian Army and helping eliminate over 300 terrorists during his 36 years as an armed man. From Insurgent to Informant Mushtaq was born in Zawsoo, a small village in Pulwama. He joined militancy in the late 1980s, during the peak of violence in the Kashmir Valley. Coming from a Congress-supporting family, he was targeted and ostracized by pro-Azadi elements. With the state administration collapsed and security forces absent, he picked up arms, believing that it was the only way to protect himself and his family. In 1989, he crossed into Pakistan and trained with Afghan warlords. He even fought alongside the Taliban against Ahmad Shah Massoud's Northern Alliance in Afghanistan. By late 1990, Mushtaq had returned to Kashmir as a member of the Jamaat-backed Hizbul Mujahideen. But his experience in Pakistan left him disillusioned. 'I saw how Pakistan used Kashmir's freedom narrative for its own political agenda. That's when I decided to change course,' he said. In 1994, he began secretly working for the Indian Army. Living Among Enemies, Working for the Nation Mushtaq operated deep undercover. Living among militants, he became a critical asset for Indian security forces. He is said to have brought over 100 active militants into the Army's fold as informants. His most significant contribution came when he crossed the border into Pakistan four times to gather crucial intelligence, including early warnings of the 1999 Kargil infiltration — information that helped change the course of the war. 'I never picked up a weapon against the army after 1994. My job was intelligence — to prevent bloodshed by providing actionable information,' he said. Mushtaq claims his efforts directly contributed to the elimination of over 300 terrorists and the deradicalization of over 500 youths. Many were guided toward education or recruited into the Territorial Army. From Undercover Agent to Army Captain In 1999, his cover was blown. Instead of abandoning him, the Indian Army inducted him into the 162nd Battalion of the Territorial Army. In recognition of his service, the President of India directly commissioned him as a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), and he eventually rose to the rank of Captain before retiring in 2021. He built a unit of reformed militants who became known as the "James Bond Group" in Pulwama-Shopian. This unit conducted numerous successful anti-terror operations, helping stabilize the region. Despite repeated threats, Mushtaq chose not to leave India. 'I was attacked twice, shot in the legs, my house was burnt twice, and my uncle was killed. But I never gave up,' he says. His children — two sons and a daughter — had to change schools 16 times due to security threats. Today, his daughter is a doctor, one son lives in Canada, and the other lives with him in Kashmir. Though his son in Canada urges him to move abroad, Mushtaq refuses. 'My fight isn't over. I want to stop this cycle of radicalism and separatism. I want to help young people find a better path,' he says. Struggles with the System Despite his immense contribution, Mushtaq has a grievance. He says the intelligence wing of Jammu and Kashmir still lists him and his associates as former militants, not patriots. 'Our children ask, are we traitors or patriots? This confusion must end,' he says. Mushtaq's story is now part of a book titled 'The Bravehearts', chronicling his transformation from a militant to a soldier. It's a powerful tale of redemption, courage, and national service. By going public, he knows he is risking retaliation from terrorist groups. But for him, the motive is clear: 'I want to inspire others. I want to show that no matter where you come from, you can choose to serve your country.'
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
New alliance in the Valley: Sajad Lone, Jamaat faction and Hakim Yasin join hands to offer J&K ‘alternative'
Sajad Lone's People's Conference, Hakim Yasin's People's Democratic Front and the Jamaat-e-Islami faction that contested the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Assembly polls have joined hands to form a political alliance in the Union Territory. The alliance has been named the People's Alliance for Change (PAC). Lone made the announcement on Monday at a press conference and was accompanied by Yasin and Shamim Ahmad Thoker, the founding president of Justice and Development Front (JDF), the political party floated by the Jamaat-e-Islami faction that fielded candidates in last year's Assembly polls. 'The people of Jammu and Kashmir have endured immense suffering and we are committed to driving change,' Lone said, adding that the alliance 'offered' a 'viable alternative' in a 'barren political landscape'. We cannot succeed alone, Thoker said, adding that there must be unity to 'serve people effectively'. Though the alliance partners have little presence on the ground, their partnership could upset the electoral balance in some seats. Lone's Handwara seat was the only seat his party won in the 2024 Assembly polls. The Jamaat-backed candidates failed to win any seat despite contesting 10 seats as Independents. Yasin, who had earlier won the Khansahib Assembly seat twice as an Independent, lost to the National Conference (NC) in the 2024 polls. Lone's Peoples Conference has pockets of influence, especially in the frontier district of Kupwara and Pattan in Baramulla. The Jamaat has a presence across the Kashmir Valley. However, it is to be seen if the Jamaat cadres — and its sympathisers — rally behind the JDF. Many senior Jamaat leaders and its cadres see the JDF as a 'creation of intelligence agencies' in the Valley and have distanced themselves from the party.
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Ex-members of banned JeI form new J&K political party
J&K (ANI photo) SRINAGAR: Former functionaries of the proscribed Jamaat-e-Islami (JeI) Kashmir floated a political party Sunday, naming it Jammu & Kashmir Justice and Development Front with a call to 'fill the gap between governance and the grassroots'. Sayar Reshi , a senior JeI member who contested J&K's first assembly election as a Union territory last year and ran CPM's M Y Tarigami close in Kulgam, said the new party would field candidates in all future elections in the Valley. In the 2024 polls, he was among 10 Jamaat-backed Independent candidates in the fray. People's Conference MLA Sajad Lone said the launch of a new party in J&K's political landscape should be celebrated. 'We welcome them. The electoral arena should be exhaustive and present all ideologies. Their journey till here has not been painless. Wishing them all the best,' he said. JeI was banned in 2019 over its alleged links with militant outfits.
