Hafiz Saeed, center, head of a religous group Jamaat-ud-Dawa waves to supporters while he with other leaders leads a rally to mark Pakistan Independence Day in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (Source: AP Photo/Shakil Adil) Hafiz Saeed, center, head of a religous group Jamaat-ud-Dawa waves to supporters while he with other leaders leads a rally to mark Pakistan Independence Day in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016. (Source: AP Photo/Shakil Adil)

Days before he was killed in an encounter in Jammu-Kashmir, former Hizbul Commander Burhan Wani allegedly sought the “blessings” of 26/11 mastermind and Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and offered to join hands with the LeT in their fight against Indian forces. An audio tape of the purported conversation between Wani and Saeed, intercepted by security agencies, was accessed by CNN-News18 Friday. The conversation begins with Saeed extending support to the Kashmir cause and offering “every help” needed to attain the goal. “You people are living in very difficult conditions. But you don’t have to worry. Whatever you need just tell us we are ready for every help. Will be ready for anything. You just have to tell us,” Saeed tells Wani.

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Wani, who was poster boy of Kashmir militancy, is heard asking for “ammunition and support from the back” to defeat the “enemy”. “We have to go all out on attacks and shouldn’t lose this opportunity. For this we need ammunition and support from the back. We should work together for this (Hizbul & Lashkar),” Wani says.

The Indian Express could not independently verify the authenticity of the tape. In the past, militants groups have been embroiled in a turf war in Kashmir. Wani’s call to Saeed is being seen as an attempt to bury past differences and put up a concerted effort against the Army. Wani’s encounter plunged the Valley into a crisis, with protests affecting daily life in Kashmir. The unrest continued for over 100 days, with curfew-like situation prevailing in the area. Scores of protesters have been blinded or severly injured by pellet guns used by security forces . An all-party delegation led by Home Minister Rajnath Singh failed to diffuse the tension in Kashmir as separatist leaders refused to enter into talks with the Government. After his death, Saeed called Wani a “martyr” and held a funeral procession for the slain militant. India recently locked horns with China at the United Nations when the Chinese blocked India’s bid to ban Saeed and Pathankot attack conspirator Masood Azhar.

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