Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti stirred a controversy while she was condemning the militant attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Pampore in which eight defence personnel were killed.
Mehbooba was speaking at the wreath laying ceremony of troopers killed on Saturday near Pampore town when she allegedly linked terrorism with Islam.
Terror attack in Ramzan is against Islam
"I condemn the attack. I feel ashamed as a Muslim that such an incident happened during Ramzan that is observed for piety and penance. Allah has ordered that we should stay away from all bad and sinful acts during Ramzan. Such an act only defames Kashmir," CM Mehbooba Mufti said.
"All the big countries across the world had been advising their citizens not to visit Kashmir, but they have now relaxed their travel advisories," CM Mufti said.
Mehbooba Mufti said such acts deprive mothers of their sons, sisters of their brothers and families of their livelihood.
"The killing of people who were doing their duty brings a bad name to Kashmir and those who indulge in such acts are not doing any service to Islam," she said.
Opposition slams Mehbooba Mufti's statement
National Conference spokesperson Junaid Mattu while condemning Mehbooba Mufti's remarks said that the statement is shameful. "This is the same Mehbooba Mufti who used to say that terror has no religion. Now suddenly she sees terror as an offshoot of Islam for which Muslims should be ashamed. This is shameful coming from a Chief Minister," Mattu said.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and MLA from Beerwah Omar Abdullah also attacked CM Mehbooba Mufti over her alleged remark where she said 'she was ashamed as a Muslim'.
So @mehbooba_mufti has joined the "Islamic terror" bandwagon after spending years saying terror had no religion. Sad https://t.co/vKzwPpBupO
— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) June 26, 2016
Eight troopers killed, at least 22 injured in Pampore attack
The attack was triggered by two suicide militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba group who were also killed in the incident. The dead men include Sub-Inspectors Jaichandran and Sanjay Kumar, Head Constables Bir Singh and Jagtar Singh and Constables Santosh Sahu, Satish Chand, Kailash and Rajesh.
As many as 22 CRPF troopers injured in the attack are being treated at an army hospital in Srinagar.
