After Kashmir attacks, NC leader rakes up controversy

After multiple attacks in Kashmir Valley, a ruling National Conference leader on Tuesday night kicked up a controversy alleging that army may have had a hand but later sought to defuse the row saying he has not accused any security agency of involvement.

"The main finger of suspicion points towards the army as well," NC general secretary and party's chief spokesman Mustafa Kamal told mediapersons.

Militants have been blamed by the police for the four attacks --three grenade blasts and one pistol shooting -- amid plans announced by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah last week for revoking the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act from certain parts of the state.

Kamal, who is uncle of Omar Abdullah and brother of Union Minister Farooq Abdullah, suggested that the attacks were an attempt to sabotage the efforts to phase out AFSPA from the Valley.

"The finger of suspicion do point towards those vested interests who do no want the AFSPA to go for their personal interests," he said.

The army while responding to Kamal's allegation said it was not "worth any comment". "It is not worth any comment from our side," army spokesman Lt Col J S Brar said.

Unknown assailants on Tuesday carried out four attacks within a span of four hours in central Srinagar and in south Kashmir injuring three CRPF pesonnel and one policeman.

Shortly after he made his controversial comments, Kamal denied having said that army had a hand in the strikes.

"I vehemently deny statements attributed to me of accusing army or any other security agency of being involved in the grenade attacks," Kamal, who was recently appointed as the spokesman of the ruling party, told PTI.

He said 24 hours have not even passed since the "unfortunate" incidents took place and that it would be premature for any one to speculate about the perpetrators of these attacks.

"The police investigations are going on and it will unravel the truth behind these attacks," Kamal said.

In an apparent reference to Peoples Democratic Party, Kamal earlier said the "finger of suspicion" also pointed towards the largest opposition party in the state assembly that has been gunning for Omar Abdullah.