Moradabad Court Sentences Hizbul Mujahideen Operative Ulfat Hussain to 10 Years Rigorous Imprisonment
In a significant development in the fight against terrorism, a court in Moradabad has sentenced Ulfat Hussain, a long-standing member of the banned terrorist organization Hizbul Mujahideen, to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The verdict was delivered by Additional District and Sessions Judge Chhaya Sharma on Monday, as confirmed by Additional District Government Counsel (ADGC) Suresh Singh during a statement issued on Tuesday.
Along with the prison sentence, the court also imposed a monetary penalty of ₹48,000 on Hussain as part of the sentencing. The judgment comes after a prolonged period of legal proceedings and manhunts that spanned nearly two decades.
According to official sources, Ulfat Hussain, who also goes by the alias Mohammad Saiful Islam, hails from the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
He has a documented history of involvement in terrorism, with his activities dating back to 2002. His association with Hizbul Mujahideen—a militant organization declared unlawful under Indian law—has been under the radar of security agencies for many years.
Hussain had previously been arrested and granted bail in 2008. However, shortly after being released, he absconded and managed to evade law enforcement for years.
His failure to appear before the court led to him being declared a fugitive, and in response, the Moradabad court issued permanent arrest warrants against him, first in 2015 and then again in 2025.
To expedite his capture, a cash reward of ₹25,000 was announced for any information that could lead to his arrest. Despite these efforts, Hussain remained elusive until earlier this year.
The breakthrough came on March 8, 2025, when the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), working in close coordination with the Katghar Police, launched a meticulously planned joint operation.
The operation was carried out in the Poonch region of Jammu and Kashmir, where Hussain had been hiding.
Law enforcement officials successfully apprehended him during the raid and subsequently transported him under tight security to Moradabad, where he was lodged in the district jail.
The conviction and sentencing of Ulfat Hussain mark the culmination of a lengthy investigation and enforcement process.
Officials emphasized that the verdict sends a strong message about the government’s commitment to combating terrorism and ensuring that those involved in extremist activities are brought to justice, irrespective of how long they manage to avoid capture.
Legal experts note that the sentence reflects the gravity of Hussain’s crimes, including his prolonged affiliation with a terrorist organization, his role in promoting anti-national activities, and his defiance of legal procedures by jumping bail.
Authorities have expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that it represents a major victory for the justice system and law enforcement agencies who have tirelessly pursued the case for many years.
This case also highlights the continued vigilance of security forces across the country, especially in states like Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, where coordination between state and central agencies plays a crucial role in counter-terrorism operations.
The court’s decision is being hailed as a step forward in upholding the rule of law and reinforcing the nation’s zero-tolerance policy against terrorism.
