The Shiv Sena on Monday questioned the government claim that terror activities have come down in Jammu and Kashmir and said terrorists were now killing jawans to create fear among the youth in the Valley.

Referring to the killing of Territorial Army jawan Irfan Ahmed, the Sena said it is a “new technique” aimed at demoralising and creating fear among the Kashmiri youth.

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The Sena said the brutal killings of jawans is a Pakistani game plan.

“All this is the ‘Mann ki baat’ of Pakistanis. Will the person, who does his ‘Mann ki baat’ every (month on a) Sunday will realise this?” the Sena questioned, alluding to the radio programme hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It also said that the release of Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed from detention in Pakistan may give a new lease of life to militancy in the border state.

“Soldier Irfan Ahmad was abducted and killed in Shopian district. Terrorist organisations are adopting this technique to demoralise the Kashmiri youth working in the Army and instill fear amongst them,” the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ‘Saamana’.

According to the Army, militants abducted and killed the 23-year-old Territorial Army jawan. His bullet-riddled body was found in an orchard in Watmullah Keegam area in Shopian district of south Kashmir on Saturday.

The latest killing was part of a technique being adopted by terror outfits to kill Kashmiris who have joined the Army or paramilitary forces, the Marathi daily said.

In May this year, Lt Ummer Fayaz was killed in a similar manner and later in September, BSF jawan Ramzan Pare was also killed, the Sena publication said.

“The killing of Irfan Ahmad challenges the claims of those who say terrorist activities have reduced in Kashmir.

Also, Hafiz Saeed being released from house arrest may give a new lease of life to terrorist activities,” it said.

“The government claims 100-150 militants have been killed (this year) in Kashmir and incidents of stone pelting have reduced. At the same time, killings of youth haven’t stopped.

Terrorists cannot digest the Kashmiri youth joining the Army to serve the nation,” it added.