Jammu, Nov 15 (KNS): Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Sunil Sharma on Sunday accused Pradesh Congress Committee president Tariq Hameed Karra of spreading misleading information about the killing of two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar and demanded that he withdraw his remarks and apologise to the bereaved families and security forces.

Reacting to Karra's reported remarks suggesting that the two SPOs may have been killed by the Army in a case of mistaken identity, Sharma said the Congress leader was attempting to shift responsibility for the killings from terrorists to security forces.

Sharma said SPOs Rashpal Kumar and Babi Chand were on official duty with the Special Operations Group (SOG) and were travelling towards an Army post at Dharna-Marwah when they were killed.

"Rashpal Kumar and Babi Chand were not out hunting, as Mr Karra claimed. They were SPOs on duty with the SOG, travelling to an Army post at Dharna-Marwah to relieve the jawans posted there. Calling two martyrs hunters is an insult to their sacrifice and to their grieving families," Sharma said in a statement.

Rejecting the mistaken identity theory, Sharma claimed that the weapons, magazines and ammunition belonging to the slain SPOs had been taken away by terrorists.

He further claimed that Pakistani-origin armour-piercing cartridges had been recovered from the scene and that Jammu and Kashmir Police had issued posters of three wanted terrorists carrying a combined reward of Rs 30 lakh.

"Does Congress want people to believe that the Indian Army killed our own policemen and then ran away with their rifles?" Sharma asked.

The BJP leader said Karra's account of the incident raised questions, particularly his reported claim that the SPOs had passed through two security pickets without difficulty.

"He himself says the SPOs passed both pickets comfortably. The pickets were already functional, and the troops knew these local SOG men, who move between police and Army posts every day. The mistaken identity story contradicts itself," Sharma said.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Sharma also accused the Congress leader of making contradictory statements about the incident on successive days.

He claimed that Karra had referred to the killings on November 14 as evidence of terrorism in the region but subsequently raised allegations against the Army.

The Leader of Opposition questioned the basis of Karra's remarks, saying serious allegations against security forces should not be made without evidence.

"He himself admits he is relying on claims and reports, yet he levelled a serious accusation against the Army before the media. Spreading hearsay on a terror killing is not politics, it is irresponsibility," Sharma said.

He alleged that such statements could be used by Pakistan to spread propaganda against the Indian Army.

"The terrorists who killed Rashpal Kumar and Babi Chand could not have asked for a better cover story than the one Congress has given them. Pakistan's propaganda machine will now quote a Congress state president to defame the Indian Army," he said.

Sharma said Army personnel, SPOs and Village Defence Guards were operating in difficult terrain across Warwan, Dachhan and Marwah and that political statements questioning their role could affect their morale.

He also rejected Congress allegations that BJP leaders were attempting to communalise the situation in Kishtwar.

"Congress accuses others of communalising the incident, while it is Congress that is spreading confusion and mistrust between the people and the forces," Sharma said.

Demanding an immediate withdrawal of the remarks, Sharma asked Karra to apologise to the families of the slain SPOs, Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army.

He also called upon the Congress leadership to clarify its position on Karra's statements.

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir stand firmly with our forces. The terrorists behind this cowardly act will be hunted down and brought to justice," Sharma said. (KNS)