Maqbool Butt
Born 18 Feb 1938 · Martyred 11 Feb 1984
Shaheed-e-Azam · The Greatest Martyr

Maqbool
Butt Champion of Kashmir's Freedom · Founder of NLF

"I am not an enemy agent — I am the enemy of your illegal rule in Kashmir."

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Introduction

The Life &
Struggle of
a Martyr

Maqbool Butt, a prominent Kashmiri activist, dedicated his life to the cause of Kashmiri independence. He was repeatedly imprisoned and tortured — branded as a "Pakistani Agent" by India and an "Indian Agent" by Pakistan. However, he rejected both labels, declaring himself an agent of Kashmir's freedom.

Born on 18th February 1938 in Trahagam village, Kupwara district, to a peasant family, Maqbool grew up amid poverty and the oppressive realities of feudal Kashmir. His mother passed away when he was 11. Yet from these hardships emerged one of the most uncompromising freedom fighters in South Asian history.

Every year, Kashmiris across the world organize gatherings, poetry readings, and protests to honor his martyrdom — in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and beyond.

"I have no problem in accepting the charges brought against me except with one correction. I am not an enemy agent but the enemy — enemy of the Indian state occupation in Kashmir. Have a good look at me and recognise me full well, I am the enemy of your illegal rule in Kashmir."
Maqbool Butt · Statement before the Indian Court

During an award ceremony at school, wealthier students sat separately while poorer ones were placed apart. When Maqbool won an award, he refused to accept it unless all students sat together. His demand was accepted — his first victory against institutionalized inequality. He was a natural leader from the very start.

After completing his education at St. Joseph College, Baramula, and pursuing an MA in Urdu Literature at Peshawar University, Maqbool moved into full-time politics. In 1965, he co-founded the Jammu Kashmir National Liberation Front (NLF) — the organization that would define his life's mission.

Maqbool Butt

Maqbool Butt

Founder · NLF · Shaheed-e-Azam

1938
Born, Trahagam
1965
Founded NLF
1984
Martyred, Tihar
46
Years of Life

Journey, Resistance & Sacrifice

A Life of
Defiance

1938
Born in Trahagam, Kupwara
Born 18 February 1938 to a peasant family in Trahagam village. His mother passed away when he was 11. Early life was defined by poverty and the harshness of feudal Kashmir under Dogra rule.
1954–58
Student Activism at St. Joseph College
Studied BA in History and Political Science at St. Joseph College, Baramula. Led strikes supporting the Plebiscite Front and Kashmir's self-determination. His activism led the government to take control of the college.
1958
Crossing to Pakistan
Went underground after Sheikh Abdullah's re-arrest. Moved to Lahore and later Peshawar in August 1958. Joined the weekly magazine 'Anjam' as sub-editor and pursued an MA in Urdu Literature from Peshawar University.
1965
Founded the NLF
Co-founded the Jammu Kashmir National Liberation Front on 13 August 1965 in Peshawar, alongside Amanullah Khan and others. The NLF's aim was all forms of struggle — including armed — to enable Kashmiris to determine their own future.
1966–68
Underground Operations & Arrest
Led a secret group into Indian-Occupied Kashmir to establish guerrilla cells. Arrested after Indian intelligence detected their activities. One NLF member was killed in encounter. Tried as enemy agents — Maqbool received a death sentence in August 1968.
1968
The Great Escape
Escaped from Srinagar prison on 8 December 1968 after 46 days of intensive planning, breaking through the prison wall. Took 16 days to reach Azad Kashmir on foot. Reached Muzaffarabad on Christmas Day 1968.
1971
The Ganga Hijacking
Two Kashmiri teenagers hijacked Indian aircraft 'Ganga' on 30 January 1971, demanding the release of NLF prisoners. India used the event to suspend Pakistani overflights, contributing to the 1971 war. Maqbool was arrested and tried under the Enemy Act.
1976
Final Crossing & Arrest
Crossed back into Indian-administered Kashmir in May 1976. Was arrested along with his associates Abdul Hamid Bhatt and Riaz Dar shortly after arrival.
1978
Death Sentence Reinstated
The Indian Supreme Court reinstated Maqbool Butt's death sentence from the 1968 trial. He was imprisoned in Delhi's Tihar Prison for eight years as appeals and pressure from British-Kashmiris continued.
11 Feb 1984
Martyrdom — Executed at Tihar Prison
Hanged at Tihar Prison on 11 February 1984 in apparent response to the killing of an Indian diplomat in Birmingham. His family was denied access before execution. His body was buried within the prison premises. He was 45 years old. He is remembered as Shaheed-e-Azam — the Greatest Martyr.

A Martyr's Legacy

The Unyielding
Spirit of
Resistance

Annual Commemorations
Every 11 February, Kashmiris across the world organize gatherings and demonstrations to honor Maqbool Butt's martyrdom. Public meetings are held in Bradford, Leeds, Luton, and Rochdale, and a demonstration is held outside the Indian embassy in London.
Founding Legacy
Maqbool Butt's NLF gave birth to most pro-independence groups in Kashmir, including the Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF). His insistence on independence from both India and Pakistan — not partition between them — remains the cornerstone of the Kashmiri independence movement.
An Imprisoned Martyr
India — acclaimed as the world's largest democracy — demonstrated its most colonial face in the way Maqbool Butt was hanged: in revenge, without family access, buried within prison walls. His case is held as a symbol of India's oppressive occupation of Kashmir and its disregard for democratic values.
"Despite efforts by Indian and Pakistani media to discredit him, Maqbool Butt's legacy endures. He declared himself an agent of only one cause — the freedom of Kashmir."
Kashmir Freedom Movement · In Memory of Shaheed-e-Azam