A Prevention of Terrorism Court in Srinagar has sentenced Jamat-ul-Mujahideen terrorist Shahid Latif, a close associate of Mast Gul, to 16 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 40,000 for terrorist activity in Jammu and Kashmir.

The court delivered the judgment on Monday. Latif is a resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

Latif was arrested along with Giasuddin of Baramulla, who died during the trial.

The court said Latif and Giasuddin had been deputed by JUM commanders to carry out terrorist activities in Jammu area.

They were, however, apprehended by the police before they could execute their plan, Judge P N Razdan said.

The court further observed that from the perusal of the evidence and the confessional statement of the accused, it is clear that both were active members of the banned terrorist organisation.

The court awarded eight years of rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs 40,000 under Section 3(3) and Section 3(5) of TADA.

Latif will be deported to Pakistan after serving the sentence.

Latif was earlier also sentenced to imprisonment by a court after completion of which he was deported to Pakistan. But Latif, along with Mast Gul, had crossed over to India again and was involved in the Hazratbal incident.