BJP contradicts Mehbooba,says forces were aware of Wani's presence

Jammu: Contradicting Mehbooba Mufti’s stand, BJP on Saturday said security forces had the knowledge of Hizbul terrorist Burhan Wani’s presence at the encounter site. Terming the killing of Wani as “success”, Jammu and Kashmir BJP chief Sat Sharma said identity of the terrorist “doesn’t matter” in such operations. “As far as the question of the event (killing of Wani) is concerned definitely the security forces had the knowledge they knew who was inside and they undertook their job after taking everything into consideration”, he said, adding “without information” security forces do not act. He said, “the people who take up gun to disintegrate the nation and don’t consider Jammu and Kashmir to be part of India, they are terrorists and deserve to be killed…the way our security forces have acted by eliminating the terrorist who wanted to disintegrate the country is worth commendation,” Sharma said. On Thursday, Mehbooba had said the security forces were not aware of Hizbul commander Wani’s presence during the July 8 raid, at his hideout at Kokernag in South Kashmir, where he was killed. Mehbooba also indicated that had the security forces known about Wani’s presence, the situation could have perhaps been controlled better. “As far as the statement of chief minister is concerned, we must keep the morale of the security forces high. As the president of the state unit of BJP, I can say the identity of the terrorist does not matter for the security forces.” He said Wani carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh on his head and his killing was a “success” for the security forces. He said while security forces were doing a commendable job, it should be ensured that no innocent civilian was killed. About unrest in the Valley, he said the government was trying hard to bring peace in the state. “Some people tried to disrupt the environment in Jammu but people from various walks of life came together and foiled such designs,” he said. Rejecting the demand of governor’s rule in J and K, Sharma said the need of the hour was that all political parties work for bringing peace in the state. Protests broke out across Kashmir Valley on July 9, a day after Wani was killed in the encounter. In the ensuing clashes between protesters and security forces, 47 persons, including two policemen, were killed and 5,500 were injured.