In Death, Burhan Wani Will be More Dangerous, Says Omar Abdullah

Burhan Wani, known to recruit youth through social media, will inspire Kashmir’s disaffected, says Omar Abdullah.

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. (Photo: PTI)

Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Saturday that Kashmir’s “disaffected” have got a “new icon” in Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

Close to 20,000 people assembled in Tral, the deceased militant’s hometown in Pulwama district to attend the funeral prayers.

Wani, the 21-year-old poster boy of militancy, was shot dead yesterday by security forces along with two of his accomplices in Kokernag area, 83 kms from Srinagar.

Also Read: Burhan Wani: The Face of Kashmir’s New Insurgency

Hizbul commander Burhan Wani after being shot dead by the security forces on Friday, 8 July 2016. (Photo Courtesy: ANI)

Also Read: Kashmir Simmers After Hizbul Commander Wani’s Killing; Three Dead

Alas Burhan isn’t the 1st to pick up the gun and won’t be the last. Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has always maintained that a political problem needs a political solution. For all Burhan’s social media activity I don’t recall any militancy incident attributed to him while I was in office. Not sure after that. Mobile internet services [in Kashmir] suspended. Restrictions/curfew announced for a lot of places. Separatist leaders detained.

Omar Abdullah, Ex-CM of Jammu and Kashmir, in several tweets

Also Read: Over 20,000 Attend Hizbul Chief Burhan Wani’s Burial in Srinagar

On Friday, Omar had said while Wani was not the first one to take up arms, he would not be the last as Kashmir’s issue is a political problem, requiring a political solution.

Saving grace for the government is that in most places the people assembling seem to have no intention to disturb peace. Otherwise if crowd this size were to turn violent and pelt stones it would be unmanageable. Hope cooler heads prevail.

Omar said the saving grace for the government was that the people assembled in Tral were not violent and had no intentions of disturbing the peace.