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95% Kashmir Militancy Sponsored By Pakistan

By Fayaz Wani

Srinagar, March 5: The pro-India chief minister of Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad says 95 per cent of militancy in Kashmir was sponsored by Pakistan.

Talking to a group of media persons here, the pro-India chief minister of Kashmir, Ghulam Nabi Azad said that 95 per cent of militancy in Kashmir was sponsored from across the border (Pakistan) while the 5% comprised local vested interests, who exploited the situation.

He said the neighbouring country now being faced with challenges to its own survival, the mindset of rulers there had changed even as some elements wanted to keep the pot of violence boiling here. "The 5 per cent vested interests within Kashmir exploiting the situation created by Pakistan were no longer able to exploit the sentiments of the masses as the latter abhor violence and wanted peace and development," he claimed.

In reply to a question on whether he was optimistic about the new government in Pakistan working for peace in region, the pro-India Kashmiri leader said that it was too early to say. He said it all depended on how independent the new Prime Minister there worked from the army, ISI and the President. He, however, said that he was hopeful of the two countries carrying forward the peace process and felt happy that democracy had won in Pakistan.

Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.