Rajnath reviews Kashmir situation with Parrikar, Mehbooba

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is chairing a meeting to review the situation in the Kashmir Valley arising after killing of a Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani on July 8 at Kokernag.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Jitendra Singh and Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti are also attending the meeting.

In the meantime, two BSF personnel and a terrorist were killed in an encounter near the Line of Control in Machhil Sector in Kupwara district.

BSF spokesman Vishwa Bandhu said a group of terrorists attacked a BSF Post in Bhuriwala around 5.45 a.m. today that triggered a fierce encounter, in which two BSF personnel and one terrorist were killed, while at least three BSF personnel sustained injuries in the gunfight.

Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha urged the government to call an all-party meeting to discuss the Kashmir issue.

They also suggested sending an all-party delegation to Srinagar to take stock of the situation.

Raising the issue in the Zero Hour, leader of opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed concern over curfew imposed in some parts of the Valley.

He said the curfew is continuing for the first time for a longer period.

He said more than eight thousand people were injured in the violent incidents.

Sitaram Yechury of CPI(M) said everything is paralysed in the Valley and suggested use of pellet guns should be withdrawn.

D. Raja of CPI demanded withdrawal of armed forces and urged the government to initiate the political process.

Sharad Yadav of JD(U) demanded a discussion on Kashmir issue in the House.

Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said the government is ready for the discussion and he will convey the feelings of the members to the Home Minister.

Responding to this, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said the government is ready for a discussion on Tuesday.