Kashmiri leaders can challenge their detention in court, no one charged with criminal offence: NSA Ajit Doval

New Delhi: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, on Saturday, said that Pakistan is trying to create trouble in Kashmir by spreading false propaganda, adding at least 230 Pakistani terrorists were spotted in the Valley recently.

Briefing media on the ground situation in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 and subsequent lockdown, Doval said, “We are determined to protect the life of Kashmiris from Pakistani terrorists even if we have to impose restrictions, terror is the only instrument Pakistan has to create unrest.”

The NSA claimed that they have detected "Pakistani communication towers 20 kilometers along the border" and accused Pakistan of indulging in false and black propaganda to create unrest in Kashmir.

“They (Pakistani terrorists) are trying to send messages. We heard intercepts. They were telling their men here 'how so many apple trucks are moving, can’t you stop them? Should we send you bangles?” he was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Doval further said that out of 199 police station areas in Jammu and Kashmir only 10 have prohibitory orders in place, adding, all landline connections have been restored in the state.

"We would like to see all restrictions go, depends on how Pakistan behaves. It’s a stimulant and response situation. If Pakistan starts behaving, terrorists don’t intimidate and infiltrate, if Pakistan stops sending signals through its towers to operatives, we can lift restrictions completely," said the national security advisor.

“I am totally convinced that majority of Kashmiris support the abrogation of Article 370, they see greater opportunities, future, economic progress and employment opportunities, only a few miscreants are opposing it,” he said, adding 92.5 per cent of the geographical area of J&K is free from restrictions.

Rejecting the reports of alleged atrocities by the armed forces in J&K, Doval said that the Indian Army’s only aim is to fight terrorists.

“No question arises of Army atrocities, only state (J&K) Police and some central forces are handling public order. Indian Army is there to fight terrorists,” he said.

Commenting on the detention of political leaders in Kashmir, he said that they were in preventive detention as there could have been problems in maintaining law and order in case there were gatherings and terrorists would have used the situation.

“None of them have been charged with criminal offence or sedition. They are in preventive custody till environment is created for democracy to function, which I believe may happen soon,” he added.

Doval further asserted that everything was done according to the framework of law, adding the detained political leaders can challenge their detention in court.  

Several mainstream leaders of Kashmir, including People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti and National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, have been placed under preventive detention since the abrogation of Article 370, apprehending “breach of peace and tranquillity in Kashmir”.

On August 5, the central government had announced its decision to withdraw the special status given to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and to bifurcate the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

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