A known figure from India&rsquo;s terror history has come back into the spotlight during the investigation into the recent Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. 
National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources have revealed that Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, the chief of the banned terror group Al-Umar Mujahideen, may have indirectly aided the attack.
Zargar, who was one of the terrorists released in exchange for hostages during the 1999 Kandahar hijack, is currently based in Pakistan. According to officials, his supporters reportedly helped overground workers (OGWs) involved in planning and executing the Pahalgam terror attack.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-orders-civil-defence-drills-as-pakistan-tensions-military-action-pahalgam-terror-attack-9037598" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Air raid sirens, civilian training': India orders civil defence drills on May 7 as tensions with Pakistan rise: Govt sources</a>
<h2>Kandahar hijack connection</h2>
Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar was freed along with Maulana Masood Azhar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh in exchange for the passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999. Though now he is living in Pakistan, Zargar still maintains influence in Srinagar, his hometown. His supporters, as per NIA, may have played a role in supporting the recent terror activity in Pahalgam.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pakistan-based-hacker-group-targets-india-again-claims-military-data-theft-idsa-denies-breach-9037739" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'WE KNOW HOW YOU THINK': Pakistan-based hacker group targets India again, claims military data theft; IDSA denies breach</a>
<h2>Who is Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar?</h2>
Known also as &lsquo;Latram&rsquo;, Zargar is accused of several terror-related crimes including abductions and brutal killings of those who resisted militancy in Kashmir during the early 1990s.
In 2023, Indian authorities seized Zargar&rsquo;s property as part of the crackdown. The government has banned Al-Umar Mujahideen, and Zargar was officially designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in March last year.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/22-pakistani-women-in-india-gave-birth-to-95-indian-children-families-now-over-500-9037171" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">&lsquo;Checking for active ties with Pakistan&rsquo;: 22 Pakistani women in India gave birth to 95 Indian children; population now over 500</a>
Following the Pahalgam attack, several banned outfits have come under NIA&rsquo;s radar. Many individuals, believed to be linked to these groups, have already been taken into custody. In a series of raids conducted on Thursday, 21 homes were searched in Srinagar. This included the ancestral house of Zargar.
These raids are part of an intensified drive by law enforcement against former militants, overground workers, and individuals charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in light of the Pahalgam terror attack.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/how-pakistan-got-the-nuclear-bomb-india-pahalgam-terror-attack-9007958" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">'Will go hungry, but get the bomb&rsquo;: How Pakistan got the nuclear bomb? A story of desperation, fear, and rivalry with India</a>

India news: National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources have revealed that Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, the chief of the banned terror group Al-Umar Mujahideen, may have indirectly aided the attack.

A known figure from India’s terror history has come back into the spotlight during the investigation into the recent Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which left 26 civilians dead. National Investigation Agency (NIA) sources have revealed that Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar, the chief of the banned terror group Al-Umar Mujahideen, may have indirectly aided the attack. Zargar, who was one of the terrorists released in exchange for hostages during the 1999 Kandahar hijack, is currently based in Pakistan. According to officials, his supporters reportedly helped overground workers (OGWs) involved in planning and executing the Pahalgam terror attack. Also read: 'Air raid sirens, civilian training': India orders civil defence drills on May 7 as tensions with Pakistan rise: Govt sources Kandahar hijack connection Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar was freed along with Maulana Masood Azhar and Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh in exchange for the passengers of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight IC-814 in 1999. Though now he is living in Pakistan, Zargar still maintains influence in Srinagar, his hometown. His supporters, as per NIA, may have played a role in supporting the recent terror activity in Pahalgam. Also read: 'WE KNOW HOW YOU THINK': Pakistan-based hacker group targets India again, claims military data theft; IDSA denies breach Who is Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar? Known also as ‘Latram’, Zargar is accused of several terror-related crimes including abductions and brutal killings of those who resisted militancy in Kashmir during the early 1990s. In 2023, Indian authorities seized Zargar’s property as part of the crackdown. The government has banned Al-Umar Mujahideen, and Zargar was officially designated a terrorist by the Union Home Ministry in March last year. Also read: ‘Checking for active ties with Pakistan’: 22 Pakistani women in India gave birth to 95 Indian children; population now over 500 Following the Pahalgam attack, several banned outfits have come under NIA’s radar. Many individuals, believed to be linked to these groups, have already been taken into custody. In a series of raids conducted on Thursday, 21 homes were searched in Srinagar. This included the ancestral house of Zargar. These raids are part of an intensified drive by law enforcement against former militants, overground workers, and individuals charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) in light of the Pahalgam terror attack. Also read: 'Will go hungry, but get the bomb’: How Pakistan got the nuclear bomb? A story of desperation, fear, and rivalry with India

Pahalgam terror attack linked to 1999 Kandahar hijack? Here's how

Netflix has issued an official statement following controversy over its latest web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The OTT platform has updated the opening disclaimer of the series and added the actual names as well as code names of the hijackers.&nbsp; 
 
The move comes after concerns were raised by a certain section of social media over the names of two hijackers in the series—Bhola and Shankar. Both are Hindu names used for two Muslim terrorists. Critics claimed that it was an attempt to obscure the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident.&nbsp; 
 
On Tuesday, Monika Shergil, the vice president of content at Netflix issued a statement on the controversy. In her statement, Shergill said, "For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of story-telling and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation."

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The statement came after Shergill met with the Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi on Tuesday. Shergill was summoned to the ministry to address concerns.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/netflix-guarantees-all-content-to-be-sensitive-to-national-sentiments-amid-ic-814-row-755489">Netflix guarantees all content to be sensitive to national sentiments amid IC 814 row</a> 
 
Directed by Anubhav Sinha, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, is based on real events and adapts from the book Flight Into Fear, written by Captain Devi Sharan (captain of the hijacked flight)&nbsp;and Srinjoy Chowdhury. The web series features a bevy of actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Patralekha, Arvind Swamy, Aditi Gupta, Dia Mirza, Manoj Pahwa, and others. 
&nbsp; 
Despite the controversy around the series, Netflix has stood by it and asserted that the story has been told with authenticity. It has updated the disclaimer to ensure transparency with the audience.&nbsp;

Netflix has issued an official statement following controversy over its latest web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The OTT platform has updated the opening disclaimer of the series and added the actual names as well as code names of the hijackers.

Netflix has issued an official statement following controversy over its latest web series IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. The OTT platform has updated the opening disclaimer of the series and added the actual names as well as code names of the hijackers. The move comes after concerns were raised by a certain section of social media over the names of two hijackers in the series—Bhola and Shankar. Both are Hindu names used for two Muslim terrorists. Critics claimed that it was an attempt to obscure the real identities of the terrorists involved in the 1999 incident. On Tuesday, Monika Shergil, the vice president of content at Netflix issued a statement on the controversy. In her statement, Shergill said, "For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight 814, the opening disclaimer has been updated to include the real and code names of the hijackers. The code names in the series reflect those used during the actual event. India has a rich culture of story-telling and we are committed to showcasing these stories and their authentic representation." #WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra | Netflix India issues an official statement addressing the controversy around its original, IC814- The Kandahar Attack- "... For the benefit of audiences unfamiliar with the 1999 hijacking of the Indian Airlines flight 814, the opening disclaimer has… pic.twitter.com/KpfFuWJXtB — ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2024 × The statement came after Shergill met with the Information and Broadcasting Secretary Sanjay Jaju in New Delhi on Tuesday. Shergill was summoned to the ministry to address concerns. Netflix guarantees all content to be sensitive to national sentiments amid IC 814 row Directed by Anubhav Sinha, IC-814: The Kandahar Hijack, is based on real events and adapts from the book Flight Into Fear, written by Captain Devi Sharan (captain of the hijacked flight) and Srinjoy Chowdhury. The web series features a bevy of actors, including Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Vijay Varma, Patralekha, Arvind Swamy, Aditi Gupta, Dia Mirza, Manoj Pahwa, and others. Despite the controversy around the series, Netflix has stood by it and asserted that the story has been told with authenticity. It has updated the disclaimer to ensure transparency with the audience.

IC 814 row: Netflix agrees to update opening disclaimer after meeting with I&B Ministry

Slamming the Pakistani court's decision to acquit journalist Daniel Pearl's killer Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Joe Biden's administration has said it was "outraged" Thursday after Pakistan's top court upheld the acquittal and ordered the release of the terrorist convicted of masterminding the 2002 beheading of US journalist Daniel Pearl. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/omar-sheikhs-acquittal-by-pakistan-supreme-court-travesty-of-justice-says-india-359929">Also read | Omar Sheikh's acquittal by Pakistan Supreme Court 'travesty of justice', says India</a> 
 
The US is "outraged by the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision," Biden's chief spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters, underscoring the uneasy alliance between Washington and Islamabad, which has fractured many times over Islamist militancy.

She called the ruling "an affront to terrorism victims everywhere" and demanded the Pakistani government "review its legal options."

The White House statement came after Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who had been convicted of masterminding the brutal murder of Pearl, the South Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, by jihadists.

Pearl's killing -- which was filmed -- caused international shock and outrage.

State Secretary Antony Blinken said that Washington is ready to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for his horrific crimes against an American citizen.

"We expect the Pakistani government to expeditiously review its legal options to ensure justice is served. We take note of the Attorney General's statement that he intends to seek review and recall of the decision. We are also prepared to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for his horrific crimes against an American citizen," US State Department release quoted Blinken.

Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh was indicted in the United States in 2002 for hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, resulting in the murder of Pearl, the South Asia Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, as well as the 1994 kidnapping of another United States citizen in India," the statement added.

(With inputs from agencies)

Slamming the Pakistani court's decision to acquit journalist Daniel Pearl's killer Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Joe Biden's administration has said it was "outraged" Thursday after Pakistan's top court upheld the acquittal and ordered the release of the terrorist convicted of masterminding the 2002 beheading of US journalist Daniel Pearl.

Slamming the Pakistani court's decision to acquit journalist Daniel Pearl's killer Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, Joe Biden's administration has said it was "outraged" Thursday after Pakistan's top court upheld the acquittal and ordered the release of the terrorist convicted of masterminding the 2002 beheading of US journalist Daniel Pearl. Also read | Omar Sheikh's acquittal by Pakistan Supreme Court 'travesty of justice', says India The US is "outraged by the Pakistani Supreme Court's decision," Biden's chief spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters, underscoring the uneasy alliance between Washington and Islamabad, which has fractured many times over Islamist militancy. She called the ruling "an affront to terrorism victims everywhere" and demanded the Pakistani government "review its legal options." The White House statement came after Pakistan's Supreme Court upheld the acquittal of Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, who had been convicted of masterminding the brutal murder of Pearl, the South Asia bureau chief for the Wall Street Journal, by jihadists. Pearl's killing -- which was filmed -- caused international shock and outrage. State Secretary Antony Blinken said that Washington is ready to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for his horrific crimes against an American citizen. "We expect the Pakistani government to expeditiously review its legal options to ensure justice is served. We take note of the Attorney General's statement that he intends to seek review and recall of the decision. We are also prepared to prosecute Sheikh in the United States for his horrific crimes against an American citizen," US State Department release quoted Blinken. Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh was indicted in the United States in 2002 for hostage-taking and conspiracy to commit hostage-taking, resulting in the murder of Pearl, the South Asia Bureau Chief for the Wall Street Journal, as well as the 1994 kidnapping of another United States citizen in India," the statement added. (With inputs from agencies)

US outraged, ready to prosecute Daniel Pearl's killer Omar Sheikh after Pakistan SC acquits him

India has sharply reacted to Pakistan acquitting Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused in the killing of American journalist <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistan-supreme-court-orders-immediate-release-of-daniel-pearl-murder-prime-suspect-359828">Daniel Pearl</a> in 2002, calling it "travesty of justice".

Highlighting the "very low conviction rate in Pakistan" when it comes to sentencing of terror accused, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "this case truly demonstrates Pakistan’s intent on taking action on the terror front. It is a travesty of justice not to find Omar Saeed guilty of any charges in this heinous act of terror."

Saeed was acquitted by Sindh High Court but the case was put on appeal which was dismissed by Pakistani Supreme Court. Two out of the three judges on the bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam ruled in favour of upholding the Sindh High Court's verdict.

India while reacting to the development called Islamabad to take "sustained, verifiable, credible and irreversible action" against terrorism and terrorist funding "emanating from all territory under its control remain unchanged."

Sheikh was one of the terrorists released during the infamous Indian Airlines plane IC 814 hijacking case in 1999. A Pakistani-British national, he was arrested by India in the 1990s for kidnapping western tourists.

The mother and father of Daniel Pearl, Ruth and Judea Pearl also strongly reacted to the development, saying the "release of these killers puts in danger journalists everywhere and the people of Pakistan", urging US government to take all "necessary actions under the law to correct this injustice."

Incidentally, after the 26/11 terror attacks, Omar Sheikh pretended to be the then Indian FM late Pranab Mukherjee and made a hoax call to former Pakistan President Zardari leading the country to be put on high alert. He did so while being in jail using UK sims.

India has sharply reacted to Pakistan acquitting Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused in the killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, calling it "travesty of justice".

India has sharply reacted to Pakistan acquitting Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh, the main accused in the killing of American journalist Daniel Pearl in 2002, calling it "travesty of justice". Highlighting the "very low conviction rate in Pakistan" when it comes to sentencing of terror accused, ministry of external affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said, "this case truly demonstrates Pakistan’s intent on taking action on the terror front. It is a travesty of justice not to find Omar Saeed guilty of any charges in this heinous act of terror." Saeed was acquitted by Sindh High Court but the case was put on appeal which was dismissed by Pakistani Supreme Court. Two out of the three judges on the bench headed by Justice Mushir Alam ruled in favour of upholding the Sindh High Court's verdict. India while reacting to the development called Islamabad to take "sustained, verifiable, credible and irreversible action" against terrorism and terrorist funding "emanating from all territory under its control remain unchanged." Sheikh was one of the terrorists released during the infamous Indian Airlines plane IC 814 hijacking case in 1999. A Pakistani-British national, he was arrested by India in the 1990s for kidnapping western tourists. The mother and father of Daniel Pearl, Ruth and Judea Pearl also strongly reacted to the development, saying the "release of these killers puts in danger journalists everywhere and the people of Pakistan", urging US government to take all "necessary actions under the law to correct this injustice." Incidentally, after the 26/11 terror attacks, Omar Sheikh pretended to be the then Indian FM late Pranab Mukherjee and made a hoax call to former Pakistan President Zardari leading the country to be put on high alert. He did so while being in jail using UK sims.

Omar Sheikh's acquittal by Pakistan Supreme Court 'travesty of justice', says India

After India asked for immediate <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-pakistan-standoff-us-supports-indias-airstrikes-on-jem-terror-camp-and-other-developments-200164">release of the pilot from Pakistan</a>, a media report said &nbsp;foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was willing to consider returning the Indian pilot it it lead to "de-escalation".

A government source had said earlier that India won't allow a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/wont-allow-a-kandahar-this-time-pakistan-must-immediately-send-our-pilot-back-says-india-200264">"Kandahar-like" situation</a> this time. &nbsp;"If they think they will hold us hostage with our captured defence personnel, this won't happen," the sources added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was safe and sound. "The armed forces rescued him from the mob that went after him after his plane crashed in Kashmir," the FO said.

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India on Wednesday had summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan&nbsp;Syed Haider Shah&nbsp; and demanded immediate and safe return of the IAF pilot who was detained by Pakistan following an aerial engagement by Air forces of the two countries.

"It has also been made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the external affairs ministry said, adding that it had conveyed "strong objection" to the Pakistan deputy high commissioner at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.&nbsp;

As tensions between the two nations continued to rise, US President Donald Trump sought to cool nerves asserting that &nbsp;"reasonably attractive" news was set to come from Pakistan and India.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam after the second summit with North Korean leader Kim, Trump said, "We have reasonably attractive news from Pakistan and India. They have been going at it we have been involved in trying to help them stop. And we have some reasonably decent news."

He added, "I think, hopefully that will be coming to an end. It's being going for a long time. Decades and decades. There is a lot of dislike unfortunately." 
&nbsp;

After India asked for immediate release of the pilot from Pakistan, a media report said foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was willing to consider returning the Indian pilot it it lead to "de-escalation".

After India asked for immediate release of the pilot from Pakistan, a media report said foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was willing to consider returning the Indian pilot it it lead to "de-escalation". A government source had said earlier that India won't allow a "Kandahar-like" situation this time. "If they think they will hold us hostage with our captured defence personnel, this won't happen," the sources added. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Office (FO) said that the Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot was safe and sound. "The armed forces rescued him from the mob that went after him after his plane crashed in Kashmir," the FO said. India on Wednesday had summoned the acting high commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah and demanded immediate and safe return of the IAF pilot who was detained by Pakistan following an aerial engagement by Air forces of the two countries. "It has also been made clear to Pakistan that no harm should be caused to the Indian defence personnel, the external affairs ministry said, adding that it had conveyed "strong objection" to the Pakistan deputy high commissioner at the "vulgar display" of an injured personnel in violation of all norms of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention. As tensions between the two nations continued to rise, US President Donald Trump sought to cool nerves asserting that "reasonably attractive" news was set to come from Pakistan and India. Speaking to reporters in Hanoi, Vietnam after the second summit with North Korean leader Kim, Trump said, "We have reasonably attractive news from Pakistan and India. They have been going at it we have been involved in trying to help them stop. And we have some reasonably decent news." He added, "I think, hopefully that will be coming to an end. It's being going for a long time. Decades and decades. There is a lot of dislike unfortunately."

After India refuses to negotiate pilot's return, Pak foreign minister Qureshi says ready to send him back if it leads to 'de-escalation'