About time India-Pak have 'dialogue': Congress

Condemning Hizbul Mujahideen's warning to behead separatist leaders who create hurdles in the terror outfit's path of enforcing Sharia in Jammu and Kashmir, the Congress on Saturday said that such issues could no longer be ignored as both India and Pakistan needed to find a solution through policy of dialogue.

Senior Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar told ANI, "Such 'proxy war' and terrorism is going on since 25 years and the recent ceasefire violations are just another instance on the issue. This is wrong to think that we can come to a conclusion without talking to Pakistan. The need of the hour is that both India and Pakistan needed to find a solution through policy of dialogue."

"Condemning is not enough, the policy of dialogue should be continued but with strong effect and steps," he added.

Zakir Rashid Bhat, alias Zakir Musa, the successor of slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani released a 5:40 minute audio clip lashing out at Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) for calling the Kashmir struggle "political and not Islamic".

JRL is an amalgam of Hurriyat hawk Syed Ali Geelani, moderate Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman Mohammad Yasin Malik, who spearheaded unrest in the valley in 2016.

"They are political leaders. Please do not refer to them as Islamic leaders. Do not create hurdles in our path of enforcing Sharia Law. We will otherwise slit their throats and hang them at Lal Chowk. I warn you again, if you come in our way. We will hang you first then others," said Musa.

-ANI