Srinagar, Jan 8: Senior Hurriyat (M) leader and National Front Chairman, Nayeem Khan today defended the armed struggle in J&K and said the involvement of militant leadership was imperative in the settlement of Kashmir issue.
 “The youth involved in the armed struggle in the state have no international agenda, but have taken up the arms under compulsion for restoration of political rights of the people,” Nayeem told a gathering at Sopur.
 Addressing mourners who assembled to pay homage to the two militants killed in the Lal Chowk encounter on Thursday,
 He said “the struggle of Kashmiris is not terrorism.”
 “The role of Jehad Council (the PaK-based conglomerate of over a dozen militant outfits operating in the state) in the ongoing struggle is very important and in the hour of decision making, the involvement of militant leadership is imperative,” he said.
 Terming the police version of the encounter as “baseless propaganda”, he said, “The youth involved in the armed struggle are sacrificing their lives for restoration of political rights of the people”.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jan 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 8 Jan 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 9 Jan 2010 00:00:00 IST