STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a sudden U turn, Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh on Saturday ‘discredited’ Security Forces involved in the killing of Burhan Wani, Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, by claiming that he was killed ‘accidentally’ in the routine anti-terror operation.
“It was an accident as they (Security Forces) did not know about his presence. The troops accidentally killed Wani. Had they been aware of his presence, they would have taken precautions,” said Nirmal Singh while interacting with the media persons after participating in an official function in Katra, base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The BJP leader and Deputy Chief Minister also claimed operations would continue against the terrorists. “If terrorists would not surrender they will meet the same fate. There is no other way to deal with them but to neutralise them”.
He said the Security Forces involved in the operation had informed them about the operation, saying that there were three terrorists. But they were not aware about the identity of the terrorists.
Referring to the spontaneous violence which had erupted across different parts of Kashmir valley, Singh said that it happened so suddenly on day one.
“But in the days later the Security Forces managed to control the situation. If we had advance information we would have taken adequate precautions,” Singh said
Reacting to the statement of Deputy Chief Minister, Congress Chief Spokesman, Ravinder Sharma said that the statements by Nirmal Singh were highly condemnable and objectionable .
“Singh is taking line of J&K Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti. What kind of message BJP is giving to the Security Forces. They are answerable to the nation,” said Sharma
Earlier ,on July 28 Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti made a similar statement. On Thursday, Mufti had said that the Security Forces were unaware of Wani’s presence at the encounter site on July 8.
“As far as I know, what I heard from the police and the army, who said they only knew that there were three militants inside the house but did not know who they were,” Mufti said.
“I feel if they knew, perhaps we would not have such a situation when the overall situation in the state was improving, so it could have been a chance,” she added.
