Mehbooba hits out at Islamabad

In a sharp switch in stance, J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti described Pakistan as hypocritical and blamed it for instigating Kashmiri youth to pick-up weapons. Unlike her father Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who throughout his political career never criticized Pakistan, Mehbooba for the first time went against the political line of the PDP. “Pakistan shouldn't tell our children that if you take up guns and die, we will salute you. I think this is hypocrisy .While Pakistan tortures those who take up guns in its own territory, it teaches some other lesson to our children. This is wrong,“ she told reporters.She also castigated Pakistan for infiltration and asked it stop this. “Everyday we get to know that infiltration is going on unabated along the borders,“ Mehbooba said, drawing the connection between increasing terrorism in the Valley with repeated intrusions from across the border. At the same time, the CM said confidence building measures with the neighbour must continue. She also said withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) “could be tried“ in certain areas. “Unfortunately , and not for the first time, there is such an atmosphere here. Many civilians and police personnel have died,“ she said.
Meanwhile, a constable Mudasir Ahmad, who was injured in a hand grenade attack in Kulgam on July 15, succumbed to his injuries, taking the death toll in the Valley to 47.