Sayeed Salahudeen

Sayeed Salahudeen, Syed Salahudin, (born, Mohammed Yusuf Shah, 1946) is the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the most prominent Islamic armed organisation in Kashmir, that supports the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir's accession to Pakistan.

Early life

Born as the last seventh child of his parents at Soya Bug, a village in the Kashmir Valley, Mohammed Yusaf Shah initially became interested in studying medicine, but later on decided to become a civil servant. While studying Political Science at Kashmir University, he started to become influenced by the Jamaat-e-Islami, and become a member of its branch in the Kashmir Valley.

At University, he got involved in persuading Muslim women to veil themselves and also took part in processions in support of Pakistan. After University, he decided not to join the civil service, but instead he became an Islamic preacher at a Madrasa.

He is married with 7 sons. His oldest son, Shahid Yusuf, works as a teacher, while Javed Yusuf, is an agricultural technologist, who trained at the prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology. Shah's third son Shakeel Yusuf, works as a medical assistant at Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. Wahid Yusuf, studies in Sri Maharaja Hari Singh Government Medical College, after the family's affluent contacts helped him obtain a seat through a quota controlled by the Jammu and Kashmir Governor. Momin Yusuf, the youngest of Shah's sons, studies engineering in the town of Pattan.

Political Life

In 1987, Mohammed Yusaf Shah decided to contest an election on the ticket of the Muslim United Front, a coalition of Muslim political parties in Srinagar's Amirakadal Constituency. He came second after Ghulam Mohiuddin Shah of the National Conference won the seat, amidst allegations of rigging and bogus polling. Mohammed Yusaf Shah was arrested and put in jail for agitation against rigging by National Conference with the help of Central Government.This angered Kashmiri Muslims and anti-India sentiments started growing in Kashmir Valley.

After his release in 1989, he was allegedly threatened by National Conference Workers of dire consequenses. This forced him to fled to Pakistan and formed an armed militant organisation with the help of Shams-ul-Haq, Maqbool Illahi, Abdullah Bangro, Majeed Daar and others, called the Hizbul Mujahideen. He adoped the nom de guerre "Sayeed Salahudeen", named after Saladin, the 12th century Muslim political and military leader, who fought in the Crusades.

With the support of Pakistan, he crossed the Line of Control many times to fight against the Indian Army in the Kashmir Valley. Since 1995, he has been living in Pakistan. He moves frequently inside Pakistan to avoid potential Indian Commandoes capturing him.

To his supporters, he is a freedom fighter, but to his opponents, he is a murderer and a terrorist, who has killed many Indian soldiers.

External links

* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2001/aug/27inter.htm Interview with rediff.com, dated Aug 27 2001]
* [http://www.rediff.com/news/2007/jan/09inter.htm Interview with rediff.com, dated Jan 9 2007]
* [http://www.frontlineonnet.com/fl2317/stories/20060908003111100.htm Terror in twilight, dated Aug 26th - Sep 8th 2006]

References

Most Wanted Profiles of Terror by K.P.S Gill, ISBN 81-7436-207-X