Omar Abdullah's decision to revoke AFSPA took all by surprise: PDP

Commending the Army for maintaining security in Jammu and Kashmir, main opposition People's Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti today counselled caution about the move by Omar Abdullah government to revoke Armed Forces Special Powers Act from parts of the state.

Talking to reporters after attending a seminar at the Hindustan Times Summit here, Mehbooba said Omar's move seeking revocation of the controversial law from some areas of Jammu and Kashmir has taken "everyone by surprise, even the Army".

"Revocation of AFSPA, withdrawl of security forces from the civilian areas are articles of faith as far as we are concerned because we feel the security forces have done a commendable job," she said.

She said there are "some black sheep" everywhere, some Generals who fudge their certificates but a majority of Indian Army is "very disciplined".

"You have to give them a very honourable exit and to give that you need to go through a very very proper manner where you take everybody on board and don't seem to be looking that you are pushing them out but you are just telling them that OK the job is done and we need space for civilian institutions to function," Mehbooba said.

She alleged the decision of the state government for withdrawl of AFSPA from some regions was taken "in a haphazard manner which took everyone by surprise, even the Army."