Hizb expels ex-chief Dar, two others

In a major development, the Hizbul Mujahideen today expelled its former chief commander of Kashmir operations, Abdul Majid Dar, and two other senior militant leaders for going against the policies of the outfit. Dar had announced a ceasefire against Indian security forces in June 2000, only for it to be withdrawn by supreme commander Salahuddin two weeks later.

Hizbul spokesman Salim Hashmi, speaking to The Indian Express over the phone from Muzaffarabad (PoK) today, said Dar, Asad Yasdani and Zafar Abdul Fateh have ‘‘been expelled for violating the discipline of the group and adopting an approach conflicting to the policies of the outfit’’.

Hashmi, quoting Salahuddin, said the three no longer have any link with the outfit and any actions taken by them should not be attributed to the group. The spokesman, however, did not give details of the charges.

Hashmi said the decision was taken today in Muzafarabbad at a meeting of the Command Council of Hizbul Mujahideen. Dar was replaced by Saiful Islam in October 2001 from the office of operational chief.