Azad says no Qaeda in JK, not to create panic

Srinagar, June 12: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has ruled out the presence of international terror group al Qaeda in the state and urged media organisations not to ''blow the issue out of proportion'' till investigations were completed.

''Different intelligence agencies have been pressed into service to ascertain the veracity of a compact disc which was circulated to the media here last week,'' he told reporters on the sidelines of a Congress convention at Pulwama in south Kashmir.

Mr Azad urged media organisations not to create any hype till the investigations were completed. ''Media should not create panic among the people and wait till facts come to light,'' he added.

Earlier, the Muzafarrabad-based United Jehad Council (UJC), an umbrella organisation of several militant groups, had also strongly ruled out the presence of al Qaeda in Jammu and Kashmir, saying there was ''no place'' and ''no need'' for the international terror group in the state.

On Friday last, a CD and a statement purportedly from al Qaeda were circulated among some media organisations and reportedly distributed in mosques during prayers here.

In the CD, a man, wearing a black mask and speaking in Urdu, declared 'Jehad (holy war)' against India.

Abu Abdul Rehman Al Ansari, who described himself as India chief of Al Qaeda, had issued the statement in Urdu and Arabic.

UNI

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