End bloodshed

Sir — A growing number of bloody encounters between the security forces and Kashmiri militants is indicative of the intensification of the Pakistan-inspired and aided terrorism in the Kashmir Valley. There have also been reports about pro-Pakistan and pro-azadi slogans being shouted by Kashmir university students who come out on the streets in support of the militants.

Yet, Kashmiri leaders such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik, National Conference leader, Omar Abdullah, CPI(M) legislator Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami among others have the temerity to accuse the security forces for the tragic killings in Kashmir.

Do these leaders have the courage to condemn Kashmiri terrorists the stone-pelters who appear on the encounter venues to facilitate the fleeing of the killer militants after they have done their gruesome job? Security forces are there to restore peace and order. So many of them have lost lives in line of duty. As long as pro-Pakistan, pro-azadi and radical Islam-centric elements are engaged in their deadly mission, killing fields will persist, necessitating the presence of security groups.