Ex-Jama’at leader Hafiz Sikander files nomination in Bandipora with GPS tracker on ankle

Srinagar, Sep 12: Former District President of the banned outfit, Jama’at-e-Islami J&K, Hafiz Mohammad Sikander Malik Thursday filed his nomination papers from north Kashmir’s Bandipora constituency as independent candidate for the upcoming Assembly elections in J&K.

Malik, a resident of Gundpora, Bandipora has served as district president of the JeI, news agency KNO reported.

He was arrested in 2019 after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A, and was consequently booked under the controversial PSA and UAPA.

Sikander was released on bail on December 2, 2023.

"I have been attached by anklet GPS tracker from three and a half months after getting released from sub jail" he told reporters.

In 2024, when Jammu and Kashmir introduced GPS tracker anklets to monitor terror accused individuals on bail, authorities in Bandipora also affixed one to Malik to track his movements.

In an unusual development, several leaders of JeI have fielded candidates as independents for Assembly election in Jammu and Kashmir.