Those joining ranks of militants sacrificing their lives for freedom, says Farooq Abdullah

National Conference President Farooq Abdullah on Friday said becoming militants were sacrificing their lives for the freedom of the nation.

Addressing workers at the Nawa-e-Subh party headquarters in Srinagar, Abdullah said: "Today, when our boys are rendering sacrifices, they are not aspiring to become MLAs, MPs or ministers. They are giving sacrifices to demand their right. This is our land and we are its rightful owners."

Abdullah's statement came days after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat warned stone pelters not to interfere with army operations in Kashmir.

General Rawat had earlier this month said: "People who have picked up arms, the local boys, if they want to continue with such acts of terrorism and display flags of ISIS and Pakistan, then we will treat them as anti-national elements and go helter-skelter for them. They may survive today but we will get them tomorrow. Our relentless operations will continue."

General Rawat's statement had come in the backdrop of a protest that broke out last Friday near the Jamia Masjid in Srinagar with protestors pelting stones and raising Pakistan flags.

The Army Chief's statement triggered controversy with some parties saying that he should not have made such a sensitive statement.