Rajnath slams Pakistan, asks it to mind its own business

Slamming Pakistan for supporting terrorism and separatism in India, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the neighbouring country was responsible for what was happening in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Kehne ko naam Pakistan hai lakin harkatain napaak" (The name is Pakistan - Land of the Pure - but its actions are unholy)," the Home Minister said while replying to a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

He said Pakistan must mind its own business as India is capable of dealing with its issues.

The minister told the house that Burhan Wani was a terrorist who was involved in many cases and as many as 17 FIRs were registered against him in India.

Singh said Wani was involved in enticing youths of Jammu and Kashmir to pick up guns and work against the country's interests.

Terming the situation in Kashmir as "unfortunate", the minister said all possible efforts were being made to restore normalcy in the state.

"I am in constant touch with the Chief Minister there. We discuss the situation at least twice a day. I am also in touch of the heads of the security forces," Singh said.

He said the security forces have been advised to use "maximum restraint" and use force only if they have no other option.

The minister categorically said that security forces will continue to fight against terrorists but efforts will be made to bring back misguided youths into the mainstream "as they are ours".

Singh said he will soon visit the state and initiate dialogue with the common people there.

Giving details about the killed and the wounded in violent incidents after Wani's death, the minister said that 43 civilians were killed and 1,948 injured, while one security personnel was killed and 1,671 personnel got wounded in clashes that followed the killing of the militant.

"Out of these 1,948 civilians who got wounded in different incidents, 1,744 have already been discharged after medical treatment while 204 are still hospitalised," Singh told the house.

--IANS

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