Situation in Kashmir is Pakistan sponsored: Rajnath Singh

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said the current unrest in the Kashmir Valley was "sponsored" by Pakistan.

"Whatever is happening in Kashmir is Pakistan sponsored," Rajnath said while responding to a day-long debate on the situation in the valley in Rajya Sabha.

"When I visited Srinagar and Anantnag on July 23 and 24, I met about 30 delegations from different walks of life and discussed the Kashmir issue," he said.

Addressing concerns on the use of pellet guns to deal with agitating mobs, the minister told the House that security forces had been advised to use maximum restraint while using force.

He also said, if talks with Pakistan happen, "it will be about Pakistan Occupied Kashmir".

On sending an all party delegation to Kashmir, the minister said that let the "ground work" be completed and then government will decide about it.

"There will be talks with all concerned parties," he added.

Assuring the house that every possible step was being taken to ensure availability of essential commodities, the Home Minister said that 5,600 trucks have reached the valley since curfew was imposed.

Since the July 8 killing of rebel commander Burhan Wani by security forces, over 55 people have died in clashes with security forces. Thousands have been injured in the last 32 days of unrest in the Valley.

Singh also said that medical facilities for the injured were being provided.

--IANS

sk-ruwa/rn