Killings a lesson for those seeking troop cut in J

Srinagar, Apr 1 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today again ruled out any troop reduction in the state, saying the incidents during the past few days were the lessons for those demanding demilitarisation.

''There won't be any troop cut. The incidents over the past few days are lessons for those demanding reduction in the number of security forces in the state,'' Mr Azad said after visiting the family of Congress leader and industrialist Jan Mohammad Kakroo, who was killed by militants in Baramulla district this morning.

He condemned in strongest terms the ''senseless and barbaric'' killing and expressed sympathy with the bereaved family.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed also strongly condemned Kakroo's killing.

In a statement here, he said the murder of Kakroo was an inhuman act perpetrated by the killers on a day when the entire world world celebrated the Prophet Mohammad's birth anniversary.

''It is an act of utter frustration perpetrated by the elements inimical to peace in the state. Kashmir has witnessed enough of such tragedies and the time has come when all the people must vehemently raise their voice against such senseless acts of violence against the innocent civilians,'' Mr Sayeed said.

Terming Kakroo's killing as a personal loss, the former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister said the deceased was a noble person, who had been working tirelessly for the cause of his people and the industrial fraternity.

Expressing sympathies with the bereaved family, he prayed for the eternal peace of the deceased.

PDP President Mehbooba Mufti, Union Water Resources Minister Saif-ud-din Soz, former Jammu and Kashmir deputy chief minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig, CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, senior Congress leader Abdul Ghani Vakil also condemned the killing.

UNI