Tapping Omar's phone is a breach of national security: NC

National Conference today said the reported tapping of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's phone by army's intelligence unit during former army chief General V K Singh's tenure was a breach of national security.
"If the Chief Minister's (Omar Abdullah) phone was tapped, who authorised it...And if it was tapped, who was hearing the conversation...It is breach of national security," National Conference (NC) chief for Jammu province, Devender Singh Rana told reporters this evening.
Replying to media reports of snooping devices used by the army's TSD to tap Omar's phone, Rana said "If that is true, those responsible should be prosecuted and punished, because you cannot breach the country's security...Who brought that equipment...Who authorised it...There is a protocol for phone tapping...It was violated".

"I will not be able to comment if the DIG reported the matter to Omar...If what is reported is correct...Then it is a breach of national security," he said.
"A thorough probe is needed...Outside the domain of army, MHA and the state government,", he said adding this was the reason the NC was pressing for a judicial probe.
"Jammu and Kashmir is a sensitive state and mere denial by Gen Singh is not enough...NC has demanded a probe by a sitting Supreme Court judge and bring truth to the fore," Rana said.
"It is important to know the truth because the issue has shaken the confidence of people in the state," he said.