The BJP joined Congress, National Conference (NC) and separatist leaders on Friday in questioning Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s recent statement, suggesting “giving a chance to militant commander Burhan Wani in the operation.”
BJP legislator Ravinder Raina claimed “security agencies knew fully well about the presence of Mr. Wani.” “The operation, which was led by the police, knew every detail in advance, even the house and lane where Wani was hiding. It is because of this that it took four minutes to neutralise the militants,” said Mr. Raina.
Congress leader Salman Nizami too expressed doubts over Ms. Mufti’s assertions. “Whom would you believe, the police or the CM? [PDP MP] Muzaffar Beig said the CM was unaware and now Mehbooba says the police were unaware. Top cops and the Army say it was a planned operation aided by accurate intelligence inputs. The government must sort this out,” said Mr. Nizami, adding “who will get the Rs. 10 lakh reward?”
Taking a jibe at the Chief Minister, NC spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu said, “Ms. Mufti should have the courage of her conviction to either condone or condemn the Burhan operation. She can’t play both sides here!”
Separatist JKLF chairman Yasin Malik called Ms. Mufti’s assertions “absurd.” “She is on the one hand justifying the killings of innocent Kashmiris by saying that they were misled by some people to attack camps and bankers where security forces left with no other option fired upon them and on the other hand she terms them as martyrs and says that the sacrifices of these innocents will not go in vain,” said Mr. Malik.
Hizbul Mujahideen commander Wani was killed in an operation in south Kashmir's Kokernag area on July 8. Two associates of Wani were also killed in the operation, striking a blow to the Hizbul.
