Aijaz Dar was killed by his own people: Former DIG Watali

Resistance active in Kashmir since 1947

Ali Mohammad Watali, who had studied law, is former Director General of Police (DIG), Kashmir. Watali was actively involved in combating resistance from around mid-60s. It is believed that one of the first strikes of militancy was on Watali’s house. Ironically, Watali's brother was an important element during early years of militancy in Kashmir. Watali in a first ever detailed interview with a local daily talks to Rising Kashmir’s Daanish Bin Nabi about the unpleasant parts of Kashmir history—militancy and more. Excerpts: 

• ·         Instrument of Accession and Delhi Agreement safeguards dignity and honour of Kashmiris
• ·         It was my duty to deal with militancy like any other crime
• ·         Geelani Sahab would never have won from Sopore had the elections been rigged in 1987
• ·         Rumors of election rigging led to militancy
• ·         First group that crossed over to Pakistan was from Trehgam
• ·         JeI did not know anything about militancy in the beginning
• ·         First casualty of militancy was Aijaz Dar

• ·         You are veteran of the Police Department. What made you take to combating resistance?

I was active in combating the resistance movement because it was my duty. I was called upon by my call of duty to deal with militancy like any other crime. The resistance of militancy was new for Kashmir at that time and it was my task to deal with the militancy to the best of my abilities.

• ·         Do you believe in the idea of India?

I believe in the idea of India but on the basis of the Instrument of Accession and the Delhi Agreement and nothing beyond it. Both these accords safeguard the honour and dignity of Kashmiris. Our accession with India is not a normal accession like any other princely state. We should keep in mind that certain conditions were set also by the Maharaja before acceding with India. Our accession was negotiated that time.

• ·         Resistance was active in 1984-85 as well with small resistance groups like Al Jehad, Al Maqbool or the Holy War Fighters. Tell us how they operated and who were these people? Did they also receive training from Pakistan?

I don’t know about these groups and who supported them. It’s a wrong notion that resistance groups became active in 80s. Right after 1947 there are certain pockets of resistance active in Kashmir against India. Only their methods were different. Some believed in the fight through political means. Others chose violent means. In 1948, the Special Staff of police recovered a bomb from Rajwara area of Handwara. Resistance was active from the time of accession.

• ·         Do you think the incarceration of youth from 1984 to 1988 was a catalyst for mass militancy in the 90s?

This is a false accusation that the youth was put behind bars or tortured. The incarceration of youth as a catalyst for militancy does not go together.

• ·         But weren’t Shabir Shah and Yasin Malik arrested and tortured in the 80s?

Absolutely not. No one was arrested and one can check the record. Everything was normal in 80s in Kashmir. People were busy with the elections of National Conference. All these boys were nowhere active. There first activity was in militancy.

• ·         You witnessed the election of 1987, which was allegedly marked by overwhelming rigging. Please tell us about it.

It is a common belief that these elections were rigged but I do not agree. There were only incidents of miniscule rigging, which can be reported from anywhere in the world. These involved minor incidents like favouring someone and were limited to only 10-12 constituencies. These incidents took place in some constituencies, but not on the direction of the government. Had the elections been rigged, Geelani Sahab would never had won from Sopore at that time.

• ·         If there was no rigging, no torture or arrests of youth, then what led to militancy in 1988. What was the trigger?

As I said, the spark was already there. Then the rumour of this widespread rigging spread about the 1987 elections. The rest, as they say, is history.

• ·         What do you see as the first attack of militancy?

The very first attack was on my house in Rajbagh. Before that the militants had attacked the Central Telecom Office (CTO) but that was an institution. The first time they targeted a man, it was me. The date was September 18, 1988 and the militants attacked at night. A welcome party had been organized for me. When I returned home late in the evening there was a burst of firing on my house. One of my bodyguards was injured. A militant Aijaz Dar was killed on the spot. My security did not fire a single shot. And at the end we found Aijaz Dar dead.

• ·         Are you saying Aijaz Dar was killed by his own people?

Yes, Aijaz Dar was killed by his own people. My security guards did not fire a single shot. I do not know was it intentionally or deliberately but Aijaz was shot dead by his own people.

• ·         Who was responsible for this attack?

Only one group was active at that time. I don’t want to name it now.

• ·         It is reported that JeI sympathized with you after the attack? Is it true JeI had soft corner for you?

Not only Jamaat but all my friends and well-wishers came to meet me. (Laughs) I have never been a Jamaat man. I had and still have good friends in JeI. Geelani Sahab is a very respectable man and he too holds me in high regard. I have never gone to his house but whenever we have met on a social gathering he embraces me. I could never got along with JeI ideologically.                      

• ·         Which was the first group that crossed over to Pakistan, and in which year?

The first group which crossed over to Pakistan was from Trehgam area of Kupwara. All these were either the sympathizers or relatives of Maqbool Bhat. It was the spring of 1987 when this group crossed over to Pakistan.

• ·         Was it HAJY group or some group that started militancy in Kashmir?

HAJY group was not a separate group at that time. It was formed later. At that time, Pakistan was not supporting a particular group, or did not support a particular ideology. Least of all JeI – they were not there. It may surprise many JeI did not knew anything about militancy. JeI came on the scene later, in the early 90s about the time of Hizb-ul-Mujahidin. Earlier, JeI was not in the picture.

• ·         What were the circumstances that made JeI the frontrunner in resistance movement?

Armed resistance started in mid-1987 and by the early 90s everything in Kashmir was in absolute mess. JeI had to jump into it under severe compulsion from various sections. Beyond this JeI themselves can better answer this question.

• ·         Who was the first person to be killed in militancy?

According to my estimates, the first casualty of militancy was Aijaz Dar.

• ·         Have you taken part in any encounter with the militants?

Police never used to take part in encounters with militants.

• ·         There are also allegations that use of torture by police was a common practice during those days?

Torture is possible only if someone is arrested first. Let me explain this for instance the HAJY group became active in the old city of Srinagar. We did not deploy any troops there except the State police. There was firing from both sides but no one was killed and only a constable was injured. Since no one was taken into detention how was torture possible?

• ·         How and why did your brother get involved with the resistance movement?

It was the most devastating moments of my life. He and some militants were arrested from his house. He was released after two years of incarceration. But now he has a settled life and has his own business.

• ·         You are writing a book on Kashmir. When will it be released, and what can a reader look forward to in your book?

My book will be released within this year. Only finishing touches are left. I have presented a hitherto unknown picture of militancy in my book and presented the pros and cons of the movement. It is the first of its kind.

Published on May 13, 2015.