Hizbul's operational commander in Kashmir welcomes Amarnath pilgrims

A Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist has said that the Amarnath pilgrims are our guests and not targets.

In a video clip circulated in social media, operational commander of terrorist outfit Hizbul Mujahideen Riyaz Naikoo said: "Amarnath Yatra is not our target. They (pilgrims) come here to perform their religious rituals. They are our guests."

Terming the claims of the state police chief SP Vaid that the militants are planning a strike on Amarnath pilgrims as baseless, Naikoo said, "We have never attacked Amarnath pilgrims. We are not at war with the Yatris, we at war with those who forced us to pick up the gun. We are fighting for our rights and our freedom."


"Our war is against the Indian state and not against the people of India," added Naikoo.

The 60-day long Amarnath Yatra started today with the first batch of 3,000 yatris leaving the base camp today.