Drone used for security in Kashmir is Modi Govt.'s biggest failure: Congress

Taking a strong exception to the use of helicopters and drones to prevent any untoward incident in the Kashmir Valley, the Congress on Tuesday said the use of such devices in the context of a security situation in India is possibly the biggest failure of the BJP-led NDA Government.

Wishing everyone on the occasion of Eid ul Zuha, Congress leader Manish Tewari expressed hope that the festival is celebrated with calm and compassion across the country, especially in Kashmir.

"It's of course the responsibility of the state to maintain law and order but perhaps this is for the first time the word 'drone' is being used in the context of a security situation in India. Drones are usually associated with Afghanistan, South and North Waziristan in Pakistan. This is perhaps for the first time that the word drone in a security context has figured in the Indian narrative and this is possibly the biggest failure of this government," he added.

In the wake of Eid-ul-Zuha, curfew is imposed in all 10 districts of Kashmir.

The Kashmir Valley will hardly see any festivities on the occasion of Eid, one of the most awaited Muslim festivals, as the state government has decided to impose restrictions to prevent outbreak of violence.

Helicopters and drones would be used for security and surveillance purposes in the Valley to prevent any untoward incident.

The army has also been kept on standby and has been asked to stay vigilant.

As per reports, the decision to impose restrictions on assembly of large number of people has been taken in view of separatists' call for a march to the local offices of the United Nations today.

Shutdown of internet services of all telecom networks and also mobile telephony except that of the state-run BSNL for the next 48 hours has already been imposed in the Valley.

Kashmir is witnessing unrest post the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with the security forces on July 8.