Quit or face consequences, LeT warns J&K sarpanches, political workers

Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Tayiba on Thursday warned mainstream political workers and sarpanches of dire consequences if they fail to resign within a week.

"Whether affiliated with National Conference, PDP, Congress or BJP or planning to vote in their favour (during the forthcoming elections), they should immediately snap their ties with them," LeT said in posters pasted at Gawkadal and adjoining areas in the heart of Srinagar.

The hand-written posters in Urdu, carrying the stamp of District Commander, Srinagar, Nawab Gaznavi and another name, Yaseen Kashmiri, asked sarpanches and political workers to tender their resignations within one week through newspapers or mosques or prepare for serious consequences.

A police officer said they have seen the posters and started investigations to ascertain their veracity "whether these are genuine or just a prank".

The ruling National Conference said such posters were nothing new in Kashmir as "we have seen this phenomenon in the past as well".

Opposition PDP chief spokesman Nayeem Akhtar said the truth about the posters must come out and police should verify the facts.

Senior Congress leader and former minister Abdul Gani Vakil said it is the duty of the police to investigate the matter.