Kulgam: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti Saturday said that if New Delhi is really interested in ensuring peace in J&K and the sub-continent, it must restore article 370 and resolve Kashmir through dialogue.
Addressing a gathering at southern district of Kulgam, Mehbooba, said for the everlasting peace in Kashmir, Government of India must restore special status which they snatched illegally on August 5, 2019 and also resolve the Kashmir issue through dialogue.
About Taliban, the PDP chief said that Taliban made US forces flee from Afghanistan, but the entire world is watching the behaviour of Taliban. “I urge the Taliban not to commit any act that forces the world to go against them. Role of guns is over in the Taliban and the world community is watching how they would behave with the people,” She said.
The PDP chief said that in 1947, the then Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru entered into accession with the then J&K leadership with a promise that the identity of people would be protected by all means and a special status would be granted. “Had BJP been in power at that point of time, J&K wouldn’t have been part of India today,” she said.
She alleged that BJP is misusing its agencies to crush the dissent in Kashmir. “If better sense doesn’t prevail in BJP camp, India is all set to break into parts on communal and religious lines,” the PDP chief said.
The IGP said that there are inputs about some fresh infiltration bids and the information about the same is being gathered. “The militants killed in Bandipora recently had infiltrated this year only,” he said.
The IGP said that militants after killing civilians and politicians take refuge in woods and police and the army is activating human intelligence in the forest area also. “We will not just track militants in the hinterland only but in the woods also,” Kumar said. About any latest weapon consignments being pushed into Kashmir, he said as of now there is no information available with the police about latest weaponary being provided to militants in the Valley.
Speaking on the occasion, GoC Victor Force said that yesterday, an information was received by the 42 RR after which the army along with police launched a search operation in Tarsar-Marsar area of Tral in Pulwama district. “Today morning, a contact was established and three militants were killed in a close battle,” he said. “The trio were active for a long time in South Kashmir.” He said that two Ak-47 rifles, one SLR, magazines and a UBGL were recovered from the slain militants. “Militants who are taking refuge in woods will be tracked down and killed,” he said.
The IGP while chipping in identified the slain as Wakil Shah of Jaish-e-Muhammad who was involved in the killing of BJP leader Rakesh Pandita and SPO. “The identity of two other slain is being ascertained,” he said, adding that Wakil was one of the most wanted militants of JeM in “police hit list”.
About the frequent killing of politicians, he said it wasn’t for the first time that militants are targeting politicians but they have been getting killed since 1989. “We can’t provide security to all of them but yes, those facing threats and are vulnerable must approach us and we will provide them security cover,” he said. He said that in the recent killing of Apni Party leader Ghulam Rasool Lone, police has got a lead and the killers will be either arrested or killed.