Khanday not with NC now: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 8: Reacting to reports that militants looted four automatic weapons from the guards of  National Conference (NC) leader Abdul Rashid Khanday’s residence in Kulgam, Party working president Omar Abdullah today clarified that Khanday is not with the party since 2002.
“To set the record straight he was NOT a NC office bearer & hasn’t been affiliated with the party since 2002 or so,” Mr Abdullah, also former Chief Minister, wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
Abdullah was reacting to reports that militants entered the house of Khanday and looted four automatic weapons at Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam. Abdullah said it is the shortage of weapons as youths are willing to join the militancy in the Valley.
“I’ve been making the point time & again it’s a shortage of weapons not of willingness to join militancy these days,” he added. Attack on mainstream political parties and police personnel has witnessed increase in Kashmir valley, particularly in south Kashmir, since the death of Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani and two militants in an encounter in Anantnag on July 8.