MHA junks Hafiz Saeed's remarks

New Delhi: Reacting sharply to Mumbai terror attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s comments that he would continue fighting for Kashmiris till they get freedom, the home ministry said this was a mere “rearticulation of the agenda of terrorists who have thrived across the border”.

While maintaining that Jammu and Kashmir would always remain an integral part of India, a senior ministry official said our security forces had given an “appropriate response” to such comments by subversive elements. “Not just the security forces but even people of Kashmir have also given a suitable response to provocative comments by terror elements operating out of Pakistan.”

Following his release from house arrest on Friday Hafiz Saeed maintained that he would continue to mobilise support all across Pakistan for the Kashmiri cause and help people of Kashmir in getting freedom.

The home ministry officials further added that Government of India had always maintained a consistent and principled stand that Jammu and kashmir was and always remain India’s integral part.

“Comments made by Hafiz Saeed are nothing more than a rearticulation of terrorists groups which continue to operate freely across the border. Every time such provocative comments have been met with strong response in the Valley by the common people as well as security agencies. So these comments by Hafiz Saeed will in no way help evoke any response or support to subversive activities from the people on the ground in the Valley,” the official claimed.

The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD) head, who carries a $10 million American bounty for his role in terror activities, was freed after the government decided against detaining him further in any case.

He was under detention since January. Hafiz had stated that he was detained for 10 months to only stop his voice for Kashmir.