Mehbooba calls for communal unity

Srinagar, Apr 23: Asserting that the terror attack in Pahalgam that claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, was a cowardly act, former chief minister and Peopleís Democratic Party (PDP) President Mehbooba Mufti Wednesday condemned it, saying that people of Jammu and Kashmir stand in solidarity with rest of the country.

Mehbooba urged sections of the media to ìexercise restrainî while reporting the incident and ìnot fall for TRPsî, adding that it was their duty to ìrealise the sensitivity of the situation and report with utmost caution.î

ìOur enemies donít want peace to prevail and are bent upon spoiling communal harmony. I urge the media not to indulge in the TRP game right now and rather report factually and correctly,î she said.

Addressing media persons during a partyís protest at Lal Chowk here, the former chief minister expressed sorrow and ìextended an apology to the people of the nation on behalf of the people of Kashmir.î

ìThe attack on innocent tourists is not just an attack on lives, but an attack on Kashmiriyat. We condemn it in the strongest terms. It will not be tolerated,î she said.

Mehbooba urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure that the perpetrators are immediately identified and brought to justice.

ìThe Home Minister must act swiftly to ensure those responsible face the punishment they deserve,î she said.

Terming the attack ìinhuman,î the PDP chief said, ìPeople come to Kashmir to enjoy its beauty and peace, but this attack has tarnished that image. Kashmir is ashamed of what happened, and we stand with the people of the country during this crisis.î

ìI want to express my regret to the people of our nation for this tragedy. We are deeply sorry for what has occurred,î she said.

PDP staged a protest in Srinagar against the Pahalgam terror attack.

PDP MLA Waheed Para and senior party leader Naeem Akhtar were part of the protest besides Khursheed Alam, Iqbal Tramboo, Arif Laigaroo, Zuhaib Mir, and Ali Muhammad.