Hizbul distances itself from Musa’s statement threatening to behead Hurriyat leaders

In an emailed statement to Srinagar-based news agency KNS, Hizbul Mujahideen spokesman Saleem Hashmi said that the “militant organisation does not subscribe to the statement”.

The Hizbul Mujahideen has distanced itself from the statement of its commander Zakir Musa, who had threatened to kill Hurriyat leaders for calling Kashmir’s separatist movement political and not religious.

Kashmiri separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and Syed Ali Shah Geelani said they had nothing to do with Islamic State and al Qaeda (Agencies)

Calling Hurriyat leaders “hypocrites, infidels, followers of evil”, the militant had warned to chop off their heads “if they create hurdles in the path of making Kashmir an Islamic State”. He added that the heads will be hanged in Lal Chowk in Srinagar.

In an emailed statement to Srinagar-based news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Hizbul Mujahideen spokesman Saleem Hashmi said that the “militant organisation does not subscribe to the statement”.

“Such a statement is unacceptable to us. It reflects the personal opinion of Zakir Musa. Post Burhan Wani’s martyrdom, the nation and the leadership are united at every front and taking ahead the struggle for freedom and Islam to its end,” Hashmi said in the statement.

“At this juncture, any such statement or step will strengthen the occupying and imperialistic forces. Hizbul Mujahidin, the guardian of lakhs of sacrifices and freedom, is assessing the statement and won’t hesitate to take steps for the betterment of the freedom movement. We appeal the pro-freedom youth not give much attention and discourage such statements coming out in the media,” the spokesman said.

Director general of police SP Vaid had told PTI that the police had carried out a voice analysis and found that it was Musa’s voice. The clip surfaced after Hurriyat leaders recently sought to downplay the growing influence of ISIS ideology in the Valley.

(With inputs from PTI)