Hizbul release new video showcasing the new group minus Burhan in the jungles of south Kashmir
Mystery over the killing of Burhan Wani deepened on Thursday when Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Mehbooba Mufti claimed that security forces had no inkling that Hizbul Mujahedeen commander was present in the hideout on the day of the encounter at Bamdoora village on July 8.
Mehbooba's disclosure comes on the day when Hizbul released new video showcasing the new group minus Burhan in the jungles of south Kashmir.
"How can one know about every encounter? I have talked to the police and, army and they told me that there were three militants but they did not know who they were. I feel if they knew (Burhan was there), perhaps we would had looked for another chance. Like Omar Abdullah who knew about Afzal Guru hanging and prepared for it accordingly," Mehbooba told reporters on the sidelines of the PDP foundation day celebrations.
The opposition party National Conference (NC) reacted angrily describing Mehbooba's remarks as "theatrical tendency to lie and deflect responsibility".
"It was ironic and ridiculous that the chief minister was terming Burhan Wani's killing a coincidence while simultaneously having released lakhs of rupees as reward money from the CM's secret fund for those who took part in the encounter", said Nasir Aslam Wani, NC provincial president.
Burhan was killed along with two of his associates in an encounter with security forces at Bamdoora village of Kokarnag in south Kashmir's Anantnag district on July 8.
Kashmir has been simmering since and around 48 civilians and two security personnel have been killed in the unrest so far. Around 3,550 security force personnel and 2,309 civilians were injured following severe protests and stone pelting incidents in the valley till July 25 this year
"There seems to be larger design behind such orchestrated eruptions to push Kashmiris into perpetual economic deprivation and social disorder. Kashmiris are made to pay a huge price by way of their life and livelihood in each such cycle of violence. It has been observed time and again that such hideous situations have only hurt the interests of Kashmiris the most," Mehbooba said.
Chief minister called upon the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make a renewed effort towards the resolution of J&K's problems by engaging all the stakeholders.
"I am sure the country's political leadership will pick up the threads and carry forward the reconciliation and resolution process started by Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2003," she said and emphasised the need for taking concrete steps to win hearts and minds of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Mehbooba's statement came on the day when Hizbul Mujhadeen released new video featuring heavily armed militants in army fatigues. It is the first video that has been released by Hizbul after the killing of Burhan Wani, who used social media to the hilt to send across his messages.
Details of the people in the video to be ascertain: Security Forces
The video seems to have been shot during the meeting of militants in undisclosed dense jungles. Some of the militants are seen wearing masks and hugging each other. There was no message in the video but the man who was shooting it was joking in Kashmiri from behind the scene. Security forces said they are looking into this video to figure out the details about the people in it. "We are looking into it. We will figure out soon who they are and what their plans are", said an officer.
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