New Delhi: Union Minister Venkaiah Naidu on Monday gave a stern reply to Pakistan-based Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin.
Lashing out at the Hizbul head for threatening a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue, Naidu said, “Who is he and who has given him the right to speak about Kashmir?”
The senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader's rhetoric came after Salahuddin said there is a "great chance" of a nuclear war between India and Pakistan over the Kashmir issue.
Naidu criticised Pakistan for harbouring and encouraging terrorists like Syed Salahuddin. He said: “They (Hizbul chief) keep talking bad for publicity. Pakistan must seriously think if encouraging such people is right.”
"Pakistan is duty bound, morally bound, politically bound and constitutionally bound to provide concrete, substantial support to the ongoing freedom struggle on the territory of Kashmir. And, if Pakistan provides this support, there is a great chance of a nuclear war between the two powers," Salahuddin told reporters in Karachi.
Tensions have been simmering in Kashmir ever since Hizbul commander was killed on July 8.
Meanwhile, a Kashmiri youth injured during clashes on Friday succumbed at a hospital today, taking the death toll 55 in the Valley Kashmir where curfew continued in many areas in the wake of violent protests.
