Budgam violence: Defence expert calls for immediate political solution

As Jammu and Kashmir is again facing turbulence after three civilians were killed by the security forces during a stone pelting incident, defence expert Uday Bhaskar on Wednesday urged the Centre to chalk out a political solution to end the current crisis in the valley.

Asserting that, pacifying the situation in Kashmir will prove to be a tough task for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA government, Bhaskar said absence of a quick political initiative would give Pakistan an opportunity to defame India.

"The Prime Minister Modi-led Government has very serious challenge. Because after the spectacular victory especially in Uttar Pradesh, I think there is a lot of expectation that certain political initiatives will again be pursued, because absence of such initiatives, we can see a familiar pattern, will give Pakistan opportunity to go to town and cite this example as a human rights violation," said Bhaskar.

Bhaskar also condemned the stone pelting incident stating that any Indian citizen, however aggrieved, should never engage in stone pelting.

Three stone pelters were killed in retaliatory firing by security forces near the Budgam encounter site in the Kashmir valley yesterday.

The stone pelters were seen attacking the forces while a gun-battle was underway with terrorists, during which they were killed.

At least 17 stone pelters have been injured in the firing by forces.

The security forces had launched a search operation following a tipoff about the presence of terrorists, which then became an encounter.

Meanwhile, railway services will remain suspended throughout Kashmir today in the wake of volatile situation.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has made a fervent appeal to the locals of the Valley to not pose as an obstruction in the path of security forces while they are combating terrorists.

Further briefing about the Budgam encounter, Kumar said that the obstruction by the locals made their operation even more difficult, as they were forced to divert their attention from the militants.

Sources have held Pakistan responsible for the Budgam violence. They said that Pakistan is to be blamed for the recent spree of encounters that are happening in the state.

The Kashmiri locals are being tormented and brain washed by the separatist leaders of Pakistan and Kashmir and it is the Army and the Paramilitary Force that are protecting and safeguarding the people there, while the Centre and state government are monitoring the situation, sources added.