bdul Kabir, a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was detained for questioning at Kishtwar Police Station on Friday after referring to slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani as a “martyr” during a PDP event.
Kabir had previously stated that describing Wani as a “martyr” was his personal opinion and emphasised the freedom to express views in a democratic country. Speaking on Thursday, he said, “I had stated that when Burhan Wani was killed, BJP leaders visited his home and provided compensation. It is our freedom to decide whether or not to call him a martyr. We live in a democratic country. This is my personal view.” He also claimed that BJP leaders had visited Wani’s family and offered compensation following Wani’s death.Burhan Wani, a self-styled commander of Hizbul Mujahideen, was killed along with two other militants in an encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district in June 2016.
Separately, last month, security forces recovered the body of a Pakistani Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, identified as Mohammad Asif alias Hashim Moosa, along with war-like materials during a search operation in the general area of Palmaidan in Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir.
The operation, confirmed by the Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, involved a joint search following specific intelligence. The forces engaged with terrorists after observing suspicious activity, resulting in an exchange of gunfire during which Hashim Moosa was neutralised. The operation remains ongoing with continuing search efforts in the area.
Hashim Moosa was named as a key suspect involved in the 2025 Pahalgam attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 tourists. Jammu and Kashmir Police had announced a reward of Rs 20 lakh for information leading to the arrest of Pakistan nationals and LeT terrorists Adil Hussain Thoker, Ali Bhai, and Hashim Moosa in connection with the attack.