Such attacks defame Kashmir and deal a blow to Islam. MEHBOOBA MUFTI, J&K chief minister

SRINAGAR: Chief minister Mehbooba Mufti on Sunday paid tributes to the eight slain Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed by militants on Saturday and said such attacks “defame” Kashmir and deal a blow to Islam. “We are only defaming Kashmir and the state by these acts. We also deal a setback to the religion we practice,” Mehbooba said.

WASEEM ANDRABI/HTJ&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti paying tribute to CRPF men who were killed in a militant ambush in Pampore.

Eight CRPF personnel were killed and 22 others injured when militants attacked a convoy in Pampore on Saturday evening.

Two militants were also killed. A wreath-laying ceremony, attended by Mehbooba and deputy chief minister Nirmal Singh, was held in Srinagar for the personnel.

“This is a fasting month when people should be seeking forgiveness and expiation for past sins. At this time, such attacks in which bread earners of families are attacked – someone’s father or someone’s son – is condemnable. Nothing is achieved by these attacks,” she said.

Mehbooba also spoke about how such attacks have a negative impact on tourism and industrial development in the Valley, adding that investors often back out when they hear of such incidents.

“India is attracting lot of investments in infrastructure development and healthcare but when it comes to Jammu and Kashmir, the investors shy away because of these incidents.

The worst sufferers of these attacks are people of Jammu and Kashmir,” she said. Speaking to the media, director general of police K Rajendra Kumar said, “It is a desperate act by the militants. The attacks over the past few days – at Anantnag, Bijbehara and Pampore – are desperate acts,” Kumar said, adding that these attacks are retaliation to the neutralisation of many militants over the last six months.

On Saturday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also offered his condolences in a series of tweets: “I salute the courage of the CRPF personnel martyred today in J&K. They served the nation with utmost dedication. Pained by their demise. My thoughts are with the families of those martyred today. May those injured recover soon.”

Speaking to reporters in Hyderabad, union minister Kiren Rijiju described the killing of CRPF troopers as a “desperate attempt to create problems for the country”.

“We pay homage to the departed martyrs and send our condolences to the bereaved family members,” Rijiju was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.