Mehbooba gives intelligence twist to Wani encounter

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday that Hizbul commander Burhan Wani may have been given a “chance” to survive if forces

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Thursday that Hizbul commander Burhan Wani may have been given a “chance” to survive if forces knew he was among the group of militants they were pursuing when they raided a house in a South Kashmir village on July 8.

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Mufti seemed to suggest that forces may have backed off from killing Wani — a social media savvy rebel commander revered by a section of Kashmiris who rose in outrage following his death — for the sake of peace in the Valley.

“Considering that situation was improving in the state, I think security agencies would have given him (Burhan) a chance had they known about his presence,” she said while meeting mediapersons after the party held its foundation day celebrations.

Wani’s killing prompted weeks of violent protests that left nearly 50 people dead and scores more injured. Only this week were blanket curfews relaxed from most parts of Valley. “Omar Abdullah knew about Afzal Guru’s hanging that is why he imposed curfew everywhere. Had we known (about any plan to kill Wani in particular), measures would have been in place”, she said.

Mehbooba also blamed “some professional elements for flaring up passions in the Valley”.

“We have come to know that there are some elements who are driving the boys towards security camps and instigating attacks and getting the innocents killed,” she said.

She added that the “elements” leave the mobs before the situation gets out of control.

Assuring compensation, the CM said the families of the victims will be taken care of .“The boys are young, we hope their sacrifices yield some results and there is some headway on Kashmir,” she said.

Mehbooba also said the use of pellet guns, which have caused serious injuries to many protesters, needs a review.

Minister of state for home Hansraj Ahir informed parliament recently that there have been 1,029 incidents of severe protests and stone pelting in Jammu and Kashmir so far this year in which 48 civilians and two security personnel were killed.

Separatists have asked people to ostracise and boycott the MLAs of ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for facilitating “oppression of their own people”.

In a joint statement, hardliner Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani and moderate leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and JKLF’s Yasin Mallik asked for social boycott of PDP leaders.