UAPA Court Convicts Towseef Ahmed Thokar In 2021 Imam Sahab Encounter Case

Kulgam, Nov 13: The NIA/UAPA Court for Kulgam and Shopian on Thursday convicted one Towseef Ahmed Thokar, son of Mohammad Yousaf Thokar, resident of Khawajapora Reban, Zainapora, for his involvement in the 2021 Imam Sahab terror case. The case pertains to FIR No. 25/2021 registered at Police Station Imam Sahab.
The court found the accused guilty under Sections 16, 18, and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code, and Section 7/27 of the Arms Act. The matter has been adjourned for sentencing on November 17, 2025.
According to case details, the FIR was registered in connection with an encounter between security forces and terrorists on May 5, 2021, during which three militants — Danish Ahmed Mir, Zahid Bashir, and Umar Hassan Bhat — were killed, while the accused Towseef Ahmed Thokar was apprehended alive from the encounter site along with arms and ammunition.
In an elaborate judgment, Special Judge Parvaiz Iqbal observed that with the growing incidents of terrorism, courts must adopt a stringent approach given the gravity of such acts that threaten national security, rule of law, and the fabric of civil society. At the same time, the court emphasized the importance of upholding constitutional safeguards and ensuring fair trials.
The court also appreciated the role of the Investigating Officer and the Prosecution for conducting the investigation sincerely and presenting evidence professionally before the court, which strengthened the prosecution’s case.
“The investigation has been carried out in a professional manner, and the prosecution has systematically produced the evidence that led the court to believe in the truthfulness of the prosecution’s story,” the judgment reads.
Concluding the judgment, the court stated that the prosecution successfully proved all the charges against the accused through cogent and reliable evidence, establishing his guilt beyond doubt.