NIA charges six separatists over 1996 Srinagar violence

India's National Investigation Agency has filed a formal chargesheet against six senior separatist leaders for their alleged roles in orchestrating mob violence and an armed attack on police during a funeral procession in Srinagar nearly three decades ago. The chargesheet was filed on July 10, 2026, before the NIA Special Court in Jammu in connection with the 1996 case.

The accused are Shabir Ahmad Shah, Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Abdul Ganie Lone, Mohd Yaqoob Wakeel, Javid Ahmad Mir, and Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi. The NIA stated that proceedings against Geelani, Lone, and Wakeel have been abated following their deaths, but the chargesheet establishes their alleged involvement in the criminal conspiracy.

According to the federal anti-terror agency, the violence occurred on July 17, 1996, during the funeral procession of slain militant Hilal Ahmad Beigh at Naaz Crossing in Srinagar. The NIA alleges that the six Hurriyat Conference leaders jointly led the procession and instigated large-scale violence. The agency claims armed militants blended into the crowd and opened indiscriminate fire on police personnel, injuring several officers, while government vehicles were extensively damaged by...