Srinagar: Former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mehbooba Mufti has once again reiterated that popular militant commander Burhan Wani should have been caught alive.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, who presided the state when Burhan Wani was killed, said that she would not have let forces kill Burhan Wani had she known that he was caught in the encounter.

Mufti while talking to India Today said that Wani, whose killing led to a popular uprising in the Kashmir valley, wasn’t any big fighter nor did he take part in any encounter.

Adding that he picked up gun only after his elder brother was beaten up by the forces. Mufti while talking about current situation of the valley said that the killing of militants is not helping and it is not a solution. “Those who pick up gun, you kill them,” she added. “But not their idea. You have to address the idea.”

Mufti further added that if four are killed four others are picking up guns, “More people are picking up guns. Killing over ground workers and militants wont solve problems,” she said.

Mufti further said that an idea has to be replaced by a better idea.

She also held both politicians of Jammu and Kashmir and those at the centre responsible for the situation in the valley. “Everyone of us is responsible for the mess that Jammu and Kashmir is in right now,” she said.

Adding that her party joined hands with the right wing BJP only for resolving the Kashmir issue.

In 2016 Burhan Wani was killed along with two of his associates in south Kashmir’s Kokernag area of Anantnag district.

His killing led to massive anti-India uprising in Kashmir resulting in death of more than 120 people, blinding of hundreds others, during government forces’ action.