Congress leader P Chidambaram on Sunday attacked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government’s Kashmir policy, saying its “hard, muscular, militaristic” approach had failed to end militancy in the troubled state.

“It was claimed that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach will put an end to infiltration and militancy. Has it?” the former Home Minister tweeted.

5. It was claimed that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach will put an end to infiltration and militancy. Has it? pic.twitter.com/AkT6ESrbJe

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— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018

Chidambaram quoted statistics to say that the number of civilians and terrorists killed in Jammu and Kashmir had almost doubled from 28 to 57 and from 110 to 218 from 2014 to 2017 respectively.

The number of security forces killed had also increased from 47 to 83 in this period.

“If you are one of those who had thought that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach of the government should be given a chance … you may change your view,” Chidambaram said.

9. If you are one of those who had thought that the hard, muscular, militaristic approach of the government should be given a chance, please look at the table once again. You may change your view.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018

The Congress leader said that wisdom lay in actively working towards a political solution to the issues of Jammu and Kashmir, where a separatist campaign raging since 1989 has claimed thousands of lives.

He wrote in Tweet; “Both A.B. Vajpayee and Manmohan Singh will be remembered for the diligent efforts to find a solution to the issue.”

6. Wisdom lies in actively working to find a political solution to the issue of J&K. Both Mr A B Vajpayee and Dr Manmohan Singh will be remembered for their diligent efforts to find a solution to the issue.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018

On the issue of Kashmir policy, Chidambaram also said that “all is not lost” and that he supports the “idea of interlocutors” .

8. Still, all is not lost. I support the idea of interlocutors, but that step has to be part of a set of measures.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018

Former Union Minister also wrote about role of stakeholders in Kashmir.

7. The way forward is to invite all stakeholders for talks.Unfortunately, the stakeholders have perceived the appointment of the SR as a pre-election gimmick and have totally rebuffed the good fellow.

— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) January 7, 2018

Another Congress leader, Kapil Sibal in a tweet said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s rhetoric over Jammu and Kashmir had come apart.

“Soldiers and policemen martyred almost daily. Will government explain? When will be stop losing lives?” he asked in a tweet.

Modi’s rhetoric has come apart .
Soldiers and policemen martyred almost daily . Will Government explain ? When will we stop losing lives ?

— Kapil Sibal (@KapilSibal) January 7, 2018

The criticism from Congress camp comes a day after a militant-triggered explosion killed four policemen in Sopore in Jammu and Kashmir.

(With agency inputs)