Hizbul chief threatens to turn Kashmir into graveyard for Indian forces: Reports

Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahuddin on Saturday vowed to block any peaceful political resolution to the Kashmir conflict. 

Speaking to Times of India from Muzaffarabad PoK, Kashmir’s most-wanted terrorist threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers, who would turn the Valley into "a graveyard for Indian forces", and to take his struggle outside Kashmir.

"The Kashmiri leadership, people and mujahideen should know there is no formal, peaceful way." There wasn't any option but to "launch a target-oriented armed struggle", he told TOI in an interview at his office in Baila Noor Shah area of Muzaffarabad. 

Salahuddin’s remarks came a day ahead of the visit of a delegation of major political parties led by home minister Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Kashmir as part of the effort to de-escalate tensions.

Talks, he said, could not be held without India's acceptance and recognition of Kashmir as a dispute. "If you do not accept it as an issue, then what is the need for dialogue," he asked. "We will have to display our might," he threatened. 

Salahuddin warned Hizbul's "struggle" wouldn't remain confined to Kashmir but "take the entire region into its fold". Salahuddin and his Hizb have been a crucial factor in J&K militancy. 

Unlike the terrorists who belong to Pakistan and are deployed by Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed, Hizbul draws its ranks from among the youth in the valley — which helps Pakistan argue that the secessionist movement is an indigenous fight for self-determination.