Manan Wani neutralised: Mehbooba Mufti terms the terrorist welcomed by Syed Salahuddin into Hizbul as a ‘Young educated boy’

Less than a few hours after the security forces in Kashmir gunned down two terrorists, including top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Manan Wani, former CM of J&K Mehbooba Mufti has condemned the killing, terming the slain terrorist as a 'PhD scholar' and a 'educated boy'.

Manan Wani was inducted into the HM outfit earlier this year, with the terrorist outfit's chief Syed Salahuddin calling it as a 'expose of Indian propaganda'. "It is a negation to India’s propaganda that youth are joining militant ranks because of unemployment and economic problems. Educated youth are joining Hizb to take the freedom movement forward," the HM chief had said.

Soon after the death of Wani was confirmed, PDP chief and former CM of the state, Mehbooba Mufti paid tribute to the HM commander. Rather than praising the forces for their brave act, she termed the terrorist as a 'scholar' and 'educated boy', while calling for talks to be held with Pakistan.

"Today a PhD scholar chose death over life & was killed in an encounter. His death is entirely our loss as we are losing young educated boys everyday. 1/2," her message read.

"It is high time that all the political parties in the country realise the gravity of this situation and try to facilitate a solution through dialogue with all the stake holders including Pakistan to end this bloodshed. 2/2," she added.

Another individual who reacted sadly to the killing of Wani was Hurriyat chief Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. He not only mourned the death of the HM commander, but also called for a 'complete shutdown' in the area to pay respect to Wani. His message on Twitter read,

"Alas! heard the tragic news of #MananWani’s Martyrdom and of his associates! Deeply pained that we lost a budding intellectual and writer like him,fighting for the of cause of self-determination.JRL appeals to people to observe a complete #Shutdown tomorrow to pay homage to him"

Manan Wani, along with Asiq Tanwari were gunned down by the security forces in Handwara area of North Kashmir’s frontier district Kupwara. Authorities suspended the internet services in the Kupwara district “as a precautionary measure”. Schools and colleges were also closed in the district and also in South Kashmir. 

READ: Two Hizbul Mujahideen Terrorists, Including Manan Bashir Wani, Killed By Security Forces At Handwara