Peoples Democratic Party chief Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said there cannot be a worse tragedy that a youngster who got married just a year ago lost his life in an encounter.
She said that it was the misfortune of Jammu and Kashmir that youngsters here adorn the graveyards when they should be enjoying lives.
Mufti was talking to reporters after paying a condolence visit to the residence of slain Deputy Superintendent of Police Humayun Bhat, who was killed in an encounter in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday. The former chief minister was accompanied by her daughter and media advisor Iltija Mufti.
Two Army officers Colonel Manpreet Singh, Commanding Officer of 19 Rashtriya Rifles, his company commander Major Aashish Dhonchak and Bhat were killed in a gun battle in Anantnag district on Wednesday. Humayun’s father Ghulam Hassan Bhat retired as an Inspector General of Police in 2018.
“How many times shall we condemn? Will condemnations bring him back? He (Humayun)was just married last year,”” a visibly emotional Mufti said.
“At this age youngsters plan their lives ahead, but unfortunately Kashmiris continue to become ornaments of graveyards. This is the misfortune of Jammu and Kashmir.”
She said there cannot be a worse tragedy for Kashmir that a youngster who got married just a year ago lost his life in such a manner and the BJP was celebrating” in Delhi.
The PDP chief said she doesn’t want to give a political statement on the occasion but everyone knows what was the situation in J&K.
Iltija Mufti said it is very sad people here were paying the price of this conflict which is still going on.
“I felt very bad. We met his father and mother and they have a dignity about them and it just really breaks your heart,” she said.
While Iltija said she would not give any political statement, she remarked that it is “shameful” that the day officers were killed, there was a “celebration” at BJP headquarters.
She said her heart also breaks for the armymen who have lost their lives.
