Abdul Kabir Detained in Kishtwar After Burhan Wani “Martyr” Remark

Jammu: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Abdul Kabir has drawn controversy by describing slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as a “martyr”. He also questioned why certain BJP leaders visited the militant’s home and offered his family compensation.

Wani, once the face of the new-age militancy in the Kashmir Valley, was killed by security forces in an encounter on July 8, 2016, in the Kokernag area of Anantnag district, south Kashmir.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a party function on Thursday, Kabir said he had not been commenting on how Wani was treated. His point, he explained, was that BJP leaders of that period went to Wani’s house after he was killed and gave his family compensation. He left the reason for people to work out themselves.

Asked whether it was right to call a militant a martyr, Kabir said the choice of words, whether “martyred”, “killed” or something else, was a separate matter. He added that people have the freedom to choose their words in a democratic country. When asked whether the “martyr” description was his own view, he confirmed that it was personal.

The remark has since led to Kabir being detained at Kishtwar Police Station on Friday for questioning over his reference to Wani as a “martyr” in a speech at a PDP event.

with inputs from PTI