Jammu, Nov 15 (PTI) BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Sunday slammed Jammu and Kashmir Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra for spreading "misleading information" on the recent killing of the two Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar and demanded an unconditional apology from him.

     Earlier during the day, Karra called for a thorough investigation into the killing of two SPOs on Thursday, saying there were claims that they may have been shot by security personnel who mistook them for militants.

     "The Kishtwar incident is condemnable, whoever may have committed it. However, many questions are being raised about it," Karra told reporters in Srinagar.

     Sharma, who is also leader of opposition in Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, said Congress is spreading "misleading information" to shift the blame from terrorists to the security forces.

     "Rashpal Kumar and Babi Chand were not out hunting, as Karra claimed. They were SPO 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," the BJP leader said.

     Rejecting the claim of mistaken identity, Sharma said terrorists took away the SPOs' rifles along with magazines and ammunition.

     Pointing to Congress's double speak, Sharma said on November 14, Karra cited the same killing as proof of terrorism, and a day later he blamed the security personnel.

     "Spreading hearsay on a terror killing is not politics, it is irresponsibility. 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 demanded that Karra immediately withdraw his remarks and apologise to the martyrs' families, the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Indian Army.

     He also asked the Congress leadership to clarify whether it stands with the security forces or with Karra's rumour.

     "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.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)
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