No need of Jihad in Kashmir, says arrested militant

A Pakistani militant arrested by the Army on Saturday said there is no need of Jihad in Kashmir as contrary to what he has been told in Pakistan, Kashmiris are not facing any oppression.

Syed Moinullah Shah, cadre of the Pakistan based Hizbul Mujahideen, who was part of the group of 31 militants who crossed over the Line of Control recently, said that after seeing the conditions of Kashmiri Muslims, he wanted to go back rather than carry on with Jihad.

"I was told by Kashmiris who come there (Pakistan) that they are being tortured by the Indian Army. Their houses have also been taken away, they are not allowed to do namaaz. They also said their women were being raped," Shah, who was presented before the media, said.

Shah, who underwent an intensive training in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, said, "When I came here, I did not see any kind of torture. Everybody was busy doing their own work. I felt there was no need of jihad in Kashmir."

The Pakistani militant ruled out the involvement of Taliban in Kashmir and said, "The Taliban do not operate here. They are separate and have a different set-up. They are involved in Afghanistan and certain parts of Pakistan."