Armed forces deserve salutes, not stones in Kashmir: BJP

Expressing disappointment over incidents of stone pelting on armed forces in Kashmir Valley, BJP on Monday said those men from Army, IAF and security agencies, who are tirelessly working to rescue flood victims, deserve to be felicitated instead of being attacked with stones.

"We condemn the repeated incidents of stone pelting on the men of Indian army and other forces, who have come to the post floods rescue of the people in Kashmir in particular," BJP state spokesperson Balbir Ram Rattan told reporters in Jammu.

He said it is "unfortunate and disappointing" that some anti-social elements at the behest of separatists are attacking these armed forces men, who have come as "messiah" in the hour of grief and sorrow.

The army and security personnel have been working round-the-clock during the last few days to reach out to the people who are stranded across the flood-hit Valley, he said.

"A force which discharges multiple duties without caring for its own safety should never be insulted by throwing stones, rather it should be applauded and saluted," Rattan said and expressed hope that anti-social elements will also join hands with defence forces in rescue operations.

The BJP leader also appreciated prompt action taken by the Narendra Modi Government in providing relief and rescue and said PMO is keeping a vigil on the flood-hit state. "Whatever is being done by the Union Government is its commitment to stand by the people of the state, who perhaps have lost hopes from the state's NC-Congress coalition government," he added.