You always had a place in our hearts: Hizbul to Kashmiri Pandits

Srinagar, Aug 31: "You always have had a place in our hearts. Return to Jammu and Kashmir, we are your guardians, not your enemies." This was the message put out by Riyaz Naik, a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen.

Following the outbreak of militancy in 1990, several Kashmiri Pandits had fled their homes in J&K.

In the 11 minute video, Naik says that it was not the militants who drove the Pandits out of the state. In fact it was a conspiracy by the then Governor, Jagmohan Malhotra. He says that Malhotra wanted to kill all Kashmiri Muslims and then bring the Pandits to the state.

"You come back and prove whether it was the Muhjahids (fighters) who drove you out of the state," the Hizbul Mujahideen commander also tells the Kashmiri Pandits.

"You always have a warm place in all of our hearts. You are part of our nation and not out enemies. We are your guardians," Naik also says in the video.

It may be recalled that the slain, Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani too had sent out a similar message a month before his death. He too had said that the Kashmiri pandits must return and had assured them of all protection.

He had, however, spoken out against the colonies that were being proposed for the Kashmiri Pandits.

OneIndia News