‘Our boys are fighting with pistols and SLRs; Pak media doesn’t give us enough space’
In a purported audio message gone viral on social media in Kashmir, militant outfit Hizbul Mujahideen’s commander, Riyaz Naikoo, on Monday sought to remind the people of Pakistan about their “responsibility” in the ongoing “armed resistance” in the valley.
Naikoo, who took over after Sabzar Bhat was killed in May last year, questioned Pakistan’s politicians over their diplomatic support to the “Kashmir movement”.
“Any resistance movement has three dimensions: diplomatic, political, and armed. Diplomatically, only Pakistan can support us, but unfortunately the politicians there have kept the Kashmir issue limited to elections only. It is your responsibility to pass on this message to them and to wake up their conscience,” Naikoo could be heard saying in the unconfirmed 17-minute message.
Naikoo said the militants “biggest problem” was “the lack of weapons”.
“AK47, which was used in 1990s by the militants, continues to be our weapon too. In fact, many of us do not possess that as well. In 1990s, militants used to carry five magazines, and today, the maximum we have is two or three,” he said, while explaining the weaponry the government forces carry in comparison.
Naikoo said when any of their colleagues gets killed in a gunfight, his parents ask them whether their son possessed enough arms to combat.
“We become speechless at that point in time,” he said. “Around 40 of our colleagues have attained martyrdom this year alone. You all shall know what we have received from the base camp. Our boys are fighting with mere pistols and SLRs,” he said.
“My aim is not to criticise you neither do I doubt your intentions. My goal is to awaken your emotions.”
“Feel the pain Kashmir suffers from.”
Naikoo, the audio message added, said that in comparison to how India and its “agencies” were using their diplomatic prowess to “defame and distort Kashmir movement”, Pakistan newspapers and its national media was “not giving” Kashmir issue enough space.
“Here (in Kashmir) we are not able to use social media freely and counter the lies and confusion perpetrated by our enemies. You could have done it easily there,” he said.
Naikoo claimed “our colleagues at the base camp” were in contact with many in Kashmir, many of whom work for “the agencies”.
“Our base camp colleagues trust them blindly and then bring them in contact with the militants in the field, consequences of which are faced by us. Besides, it also leads to our colleagues in the field thinking badly of the people at the base camp,” he said.
