Kashmir violence Pak sponsored, says Rajnath Singh

Alleging that whatever is happening in Kashmir is Pakistan sponsored, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday questioned Pakistan's interference in India's internal affairs, saying it has no right to rake up the death of a terrorist.

"Kehne ko naam Pakistan hai par harkaten saari naapaak hain (It's Pakistan just for the name, otherwise it's all acts are unholy. A terrorist was killed in India, and Pakistan is observing 'Black Day' is being observed in Pakistan. Pakistan is interfering in the internal issue of India," said the Home Minister.

He said 15 serious cases were registered against the killed terrorist, who was radicalising techno-savvy youth of Kashmir.

Stating that the government will be tough on militants, Singh said he had asked forces not to use fatal weapons and exercise maximum restraint while dealing with the ongoing trouble in the Valley.

"I want to inform everyone that I called the government in Jammu and Kashmir, asking everyone to exercise as much restraint as possible. We have asked forces to not use fatal weapons," the Home Minister, while assuring the Rajya Sabha that militants will be firmly dealt with.

He further said as many as 1,948 civilians were injured, of them 1,744 discharged after treatment, while 1,671 security force personnel were injured and one jawan died.

Wrapping up a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in the state, the Home Minister said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is extremely concerned over the situation.

"When Prime Minister Modi was on foreign tour, I didn't call him, but he did. He inquired about the Kashmir situation. And, after arriving back in India, the first meeting he held was a review meeting on the J&K situation," he added.

The minister expressed confidence that all political parties are together on Kashmir issue, and also against terrorism. He said he is in constant touch with the state Chief Minister and every possible measure will be taken to bring stability in the Valley.

He said he would talk to the chief minister about providing ration to all those people who were unable to leave their houses due to curfew.