Kashmir Crisis: Rajnath Blames Pakistan, Says Don’t Play With Fire

Rajnath Singh also denied that security forces were harsh while controlling protesting mobs in Kashmir.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh. (Photo: Reuters)

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday squarely blamed Pakistan for the present unrest in Jammu and Kashmir and also said the government will set up a panel to find an alternative to pellet guns used by security forces to control protesters in the Valley.

There can be no denying the fact that our neighbour (Pakistan) is singularly responsible for the present deterioration of the situation in the state.

Rajnath Singh

The terrorism that India is witnessing today is “Pakistan-sponsored”, he said adding, that it was “created in the name of religion”.

Referring to former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee’s famous lines - “Chingari ka khel khelna khatra hota hae” (To play with fire is often dangerous), Singh sought to caution Pakistan on its continued role in sponsoring terrorism.

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He denied that security forces were harsh while controlling protesting mobs in the Valley and hastened to add that personally he would always favour that minimum force is used to maintain control.

The minister admitted, “there could be some aberrations” in the form of high-handedness by security forces.

On use of lethal weapons and pellet bullets, which have caused large number of injuries in the Valley, including eye wounds, he said the Home Ministry will soon set up an expert committee to explore “alternative” to use of such weapons.

Singh maintained that the central government alone cannot bring peace in the trouble-torn state and sought support from all quarters.

He also named Hafiz Saeed and Syed Salahuddin — Pakistan-based terror heads — for fuelling tension in Jammu and Kashmir following the 8 July killing of Hizbul militant Burhan Wani.

(With inputs from PTI.)

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