Sajjad Afghani
Muhammad Sajjad Khan was a prominent Pakistani mujahideen jihadist and militant leader, who was Commander-in-Chief of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen.
He was known as Sajjad Afghani, due to his participation in the Soviet-Afghan War.
Khan was killed during an unsuccessful jailbreak from the Kot Bhalwal Jail in 10 March 1999.
Early life
He was born in the village of Baibakh, Rawalakot, in the Poonch District of Azad Kashmir, Pakistan.
Soviet–Afghan War
Sajjad Afghani joined the militancy under the banner of Harkat-ul-Mujahideen in the 1980s. He was well trained and remained involved in the Soviet–Afghan War. He stayed in Afghanistan until 1989.
In 1991 he became Commander in Chief of Harkat Ul Ansar in Srinagar. In June 1994 he was arrested along with Molana Masood Azhar by the Indian Border Security Force. Lt. Gen. Arjun Ray, then Brigadier General Staff, described Afghani, a frail but visibly tough militant who had fought the Russians, as the "biggest catch" given his importance in militant circles.
Death
According to Indian sources, Afghani was killed during an unsuccessful jailbreak from the Kot Bhalwal Jail in 10 March 1999. His death led to the hijacking of Indian Airlines Flight 814 in December by Harkat members, which led to the release of Masood Azhar, Ahmed Omar Saeed Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmed Zargar by the Indian Government. The handover of his body had also been one of the initial demands of the hijackers.