The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Shafat Ahmad Shungloo in connection with the 1989 kidnapping of Rubaiya Sayeed, daughter of then-Union Home Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed. Rubaiya was abducted by terrorists on December 8, 1989, while returning home from Lal Ded Memorial Hospital in Srinagar, marking a critical shift in Kashmir’s terrorist landscape. Her release came five days later when the then-government led by VP Singh capitulated to the terrorists’ demands by freeing five jailed militants.
Yasin Malik, leader of the Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF), is considered the prime suspect in Rubaiya’s kidnapping. He faces over 60 criminal charges, including those related to the murder of Indian Air Force personnel, and is currently serving a life sentence in Delhi’s Tihar Jail for separate terror financing offenses.
In a court appearance in 2022, Rubaiya identified Malik as one of her kidnappers, recounting how he had threatened her during the ordeal. She stated, “This is the person and his name is Yasin Malik. He was the man who threatened me that he will drag me out of the minibus if I refused to follow their diktat.”
The incident significantly bolstered terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir, with reports indicating that public support for the militants surged. Harinder Baweja, writing for the Hindustan Times, described how the state government effectively disappeared amidst the chaos, while large crowds celebrated in the streets, openly supporting the militants’ actions. “The entire Valley was celebrating,” she noted, as thousands rallied, chanting slogans calling for freedom.
Journalist Aasha Khosa confirmed that there was little sympathy for Rubaiya among the local populace, stating that the community was largely aligned with the militants. She reflected on the profound impact of the kidnapping, saying, “It made people realize that there was major trouble in Kashmir.” The celebrations following the release of the militants exemplified a stark change in public sentiment, showcasing the extent of the acceptance of militancy in the region, as people took to the streets to express their joy and support for the released terrorists.
Original Source: https://www.firstpost.com/india/cbi-arrests-man-in-rubaiya-sayeeds-1989-kidnapping-case-13955712.html
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Publish Date: 2025-12-01 19:22:00
