Srinagar, Aug 31: Former Jammu and Kashmir chief minsiter Mehbooba Mufti on Friday said militants and security forces are causing harm to each other's families in the valley, the statement which has triggered a political storm with some accusing the PDP chief of insulting the Army. Mehbooba Mufti added that families shouldn't become casualties and made to suffer for something they have little control over.

"Militants and forces victimising each other’s families is highly condemnable and marks a new low in our situation. Families shouldn’t become casualties and made to suffer for something they have little control over," Mufti tweeted. Her tweet came after reports that militants on Thursday kidnapped nine persons connected directly or indirectly with the local police after raiding their homes in Shopian, Kulgam, Anantnag and other areas of south Kashmir.

"Some incidents of abduction have come to the notice of police in South Kashmir. We are ascertaining details and circumstances. In due course it shall be placed in public domain," a spokesperson of Jammu and Kashmir police told news agency PTI. Even when the security forces were working their strategy to recover the hostages safely, a statement purportedly issued by Hizbul operational commander Riyaz Naikoo, on the social media said that henceforth the militants would follow "an eye for an eye policy".

"Police has compelled us to follow the course of an eye for an eye and an ear for an ear. Policemen are advised in their own interest to give up their jobs or be prepared to face the worst," Naikoo, whose father Assadullah Naikoo was arrested by police two days back, said. His father was released today. Reacting to the development, former state Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah tweeted: "11 abductions! This is a very worrying reflection of the situation in the valley.

"What's worse is the selective outrage -- people/leaders who are so vocal about alleged security force excesses are silent about these abductions."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 31, 2018 04:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).